Did anyone happen to catch the Kilgore v. Kaine debate today?

[Virginian]

I thought Kaine mopped the floor with Kilgore, but I understand the candidates each appealed to his own base. Kilgore stayed on message. He had about three topics. 1.) The democrats will raise your taxes. 2.) We will widen Rt. 66 through Arlington to alleviate traffic. 3.) I am the pro-life candidate.

Tim Russart was the moderator. Kilgore wouldn't answer one of his questions, so he verbally punched him. The question related to the Supreme Court reversing Roe which would put the rules back in the hands of the states. What would Kilgore do, as Governor with that issue? To which he answered, "That's a hypothetical question, I can't answer a hypothetical question." So Russart handed him a slow pitch which appeared to Kilgore to be a new question. (I can't remember which question it was, but it was about taxes. I think it was:) "If the General Assembly passed a tax cut would you sign it?"
Kilgore answered yes without any hesitation and Russart told him that was also a hypothetical question but you answered that one. That should have hurt him with his base. He wasn't smart enough to see the slow pitch was a curve ball.

Tim Kaine, on the other hand was confident, intelligent, knowledgeable and could think quickly on his feet. He didn't dodge any questions. He addressed the press with respect and affability. He just seemed so much more of a leader than Kilgore. He explained how the plan Kilgore was spouting about Route 66 was already on the books. There were already plans to add one lane to the outbound stretch of road in Arlington. It wouldn't make much sense to add another lane inbound as the traffic would bottleneck on the two lane bridge in DC. He also addressed other ideas on how to alleviate traffic in the Northern VA region, like bringing the Metro to Dulles.

They both addressed the vote by the Herndon Town Council on a Day Laborer site. Kilgore said he opposed it. Kaine said the Federal government is not doing its job with immigration and the town council had to find a way to deal with the results. It was not his job to tell the local government how to handle its business. He was not going to pass judgment on their decision.

Kilgore kept saying that it should be up to the people to decide if they wanted their taxes raised. Kaine told him that was passing the responsibility off to someone else, and that was not leadership.

So Russart asked Kilgore, "If the voters of Virginia voted for a tax increase, would you support it?" Kilgore reluctantly replied he would, because that would have been the will of the people. (Answering another hypothetical question.)

The bad part -- Russart had to lean on Kilgore more than on Kaine to get his questions answered. That may appear to some Kilgore supporters to be another example of the "Librul Press."

Does anyone know if there is a transcript anywhere? Trying to remember everything is taxing my brain,

[ContraBass Black]

1. That abortion question

Was replayed for us on a laptop during the YDVT meeting today. We were rolling on the floor.

[marbuc]

2. The folks that complain about the "librul press" in this case

are solid Kilgore supporters anyway, so no biggie. Sounds like Kaine is handling himself nicely, and Kilgore is appealing to his freeper base, and not much else.

[autorank]

3. Great news!

Hey, if Mark Warner is as serious about a Presidential run as he's indicating, he'll get Kaine elected. I know he's trying and I can't wait to see him pull out all the stops. It's one thing to be a highly sussessful entrepreneur who is a highly successful Governor and has 70% approval (what a guy!). It's another to do all those things and get a Democrat elected to your job. That would turn heads. Please Warner, out smart these people.

[Virginian]

4. Kaine said his candidate in 2008 will be Mark Warner.

Russart asked him about supporting Hillary in '08 and he replied that his candidate is Mark Warner (is this inside info that Warner is running?), but he is a team player and will support the national candidate.

I think Warner will come out to campaign with Kaine during the final weeks when more people are paying attention.

We already know Warner endorses Kaine. He was with him when they did the announcement rallies.

[VADem11]

5. I wasn't able to

but I really want to see it on sunday. Everyone that I know who watched it said Kaine beat Kilgore to a pulp.

[Catchawave]

6. I think they're going to televise the next debate statewide?

I'm looking forward to it :hi: :kick: :hi:

[AX10]

7. Kaine, Kaine, Kaine!

:kick:

:dem:

I support Kaine for Governor!