Two debates on a Friday

Yes, it was October 15th and the tax filing deadline. But those who arrange debates don’t ask me before setting the date so I worked like crazy in order to be able to attend the two debates held last Friday.

First up was the Central Business District Association debate for the 2nd Congressional District. I was a little surprised that there weren’t more people there but perhaps they’ve heard enough from these candidates. This was the fourth time I’ve seen the three of them – incumbent Democrat Glenn Nye and his two challengers, Republican Scott Rigell and Independent Kenny Golden – participate in a candidates’ forum and I’m not sure this is the last of them. Two years ago, the 2nd CD candidates only squared off three times.

This was a bit more lively than the earlier ones. I have to wonder if the people I saw leaving early did so because it got a bit too lively. At times, it was just like the cartoon to the left (from Sunday’s Virginian-Pilot) – and what we’ve witnessed with their TV commercials of late. They say familiarity breeds contempt.

Staying above the fray was Kenny Golden, who was seated between Nye and Rigell. Golden, who is releasing his campaign’s first radio ad Monday, displayed his sense of humor and kept things from getting too crazy.

Other than that, nothing new came out in this meeting.

(I recorded the debate but have not had time to work on the video. In the meantime, you can watch it in seven parts on Rep. Glenn Nye’s YouTube channel.)

Friday evening, Democratic incumbent Bobby Scott took on his three challengers – Republican Chuck Smith, Libertarian James Quigley and Independent Green John D. Kelly (that middle initial D is important to him, for some reason) – in the Hampton City Council Chambers.  I understand that a number of Tea Party members showed up at the debate the night before in Charles City. No chance of that happening here. There was an overflow crowd, including a number of members of the Legislative Black Caucus, who were holding their fall conference in nearby Newport News.

As I tweeted during the debate, the candidates could be described as the “read the bill” guy, the “no taxes” guy, the “individual rights” guy, and the incumbent. The distinction here is that for the first three, their answers always fell back on these slogans, while the incumbent showed a depth of knowledge one would expect from someone who has been in office since 1993.  The lack of nuance to their answers may very well work for those who don’t follow issues closely, but for me, it was far too shallow.

Of course, I’m not sure there were any minds to be made up in the room, but as the debate will be rebroadcast by WHRO, it might help others decide.