Murphy won the debate. Tedisco needs better material, e.g. on his reservations about the stimulus bill. It's fine not to take a position on it, but that mouse research line was feeble a week ago, and was the only reservation he cited today. What about the Democrats' reducing tax incentives for charitable giving, reversing welfare reform, etc.? Murphy had momentum coming in, with his securing the Independence Party line and the AFL-CIO endorsement. This debate will do nothing to slow him down. Tedisco needs to retool and refocus his campaign.
Murphy closing statement rehashes Economic Recovery Act. He still supports it.//Tedisco says he has a proven record fighting for senior citizens (too focused on seniors, he is), cites legislation he's been behind, backing for Social Security, Medicare, etc.
Question about unions, whether they're good. Murphy says he wants to keep/get good jobs here.//Tedisco says father's foundry was "hell on earth." Notes he put in pay penalty for state legislators when budget was late. "Unions are important but there has to be a balance."//To environmental question, Tedisco says he has 90 percent environmental voting record. //Murphy favors urban renewal through fixing up old buildings, downtowns, infrastructure, shovel-ready projects. Stimulus will help.//Murphy says No Child Left Behind has not worked. Unfunded mandates (surprise!) he's against. Economic Recover Act (he's in favor!)//Tedisco says NY pays highest per-capita for education, low achievement for it. Saratoga schools do well. Minority schools not doing well, gotta change funding formulla (sounds like a courageous position here, if he means it), and cap property taxes.
Tedisco criticizes pork in stimulus bill. Mouse research in California (he needs better examples, could have used stuff in David Brooks' New York Times column this morning).//Murphy back to common sense solutions, nonpartisanship.
Murphy differentiates himself fro Obama on Second Amendment issues, favors gun rights. Back to Economic Recovery Act one mo' time, Tedisco's nonposition on.//Tedisco mentions for first time hoary topic of his opposition to drivers licenses for illegal aliens. Then sexual predators, another old Republican Assembly issue. They're against them.//Murphy says bank bailout bill was a "disaster." //Tedisco says he is now at state level working on implementing stimulus bill, getting upstate's share.
Tedisco backs Luther Forest industrial project. Opposes Gov. Paterson cutting back Empire Zone commitments. Seems nonresponsive to another question about Social Security.// Murphy favors Employee Free Choice Act, to help get health benefits for workers. //Tedisco against it, favors secret ballot. He was in union as teacher, father was in uion, walked on picket lines, but says bill is undemocratic. Tedisco makes first real connection with audience. Up to now, Murphy has been slightly ahead in debate.
Murphy favors 401-Ks, IRAs, wants more incentives to save, wants to get economy moving again. Again (aargh) supports Obama economic recovery plan.//Tedisco back to Social Security. Time to bail out Main Street and middle class. Makes some point lost on me about incresaing incentive to save (Murphy's smilar point was similarly obscure). //Murphy supports nuclear power, not coal. Supports alternative fuel, green jobs.//Tedisco sings same tune. then says other countries also must be involved in cutting pollution, including China and India.
Murphy is for green technology, mentions Obama again, Gillibrand. Bashes Tedisco non-position on economic recovery act.//Tedisco ignores barb, touts state legislation he's put forward on oil, alternate technologies. Wants goal of eliminating fossil fuels in about 20 years.
Tedisco blames "unscrupulous people on Wall Street," for economic slump, takes credit for supporting expansion of Child Health Plus (another state program). //Murphy moves on to lauding the Social Security program (no Sister Souljah moment here). Bashes Republicans for seeking to divert money to private accounts, going too far with free enterprise. //Tedisco says money wrongly taken away from Social Security by federal govt. Comes out against any privatization, any cutting benefits or age adjustments. Which of these guys can pander more to the oldsters?
Second question on long-term care (it is an older crowd). Murphy is for it. I bet Tedisco is too. How come I'm bored already? Murphy for "comprehensive health-care reform." M favors economic recovery act (he says again).//Tedisco (why can't Susan A. pronounce his name right? She says Tedesco every time) -- yes -- favors care to help people stay in their homes. Says he helped pass long term health care program in state, with 20 percent tax credit. Wants 20 percent federal tax reduction (huh?). Susan asks a question about hospital cuts, which Murphy's against. But at the end of both candidates' answers, I'm confused. Next question also on health care. Murphy is smooth. Tedisco says it's complex and difficult issue. He's right about that. Digital records, expand EPIC program (a state program), invest in Medicare D donut hole.
First question is on health insurance. Murphy supports Obama plan. Modernize technology. Mentions Obama again re lowering drug prices.//Tedisco says "health care is not a luxury, it is not a privilege, it is a right." Nonpartisan, build on state's successes. Pooling insurance, healthcare savings accounts. Make hospitals disclose errors. Inernational competition for drugs.
Opening statement by Democratic candidate Scott Murphy: Good-paying jobs he favors, and is uniquely qualified to get them. "Common-sense solutions" not Democratic or Republican ones. Son of a postal worker. Profession "is building businesses and creating jobs." Folksy story about wife's family, first lesson in milking a cow. Supports Obama's economic recovery act. Not a perfect bill, but in favor of it Republican candidate Jim Tedisco opens with reference to his aged mother. Stresses he represents part of the district now. "People are hurting right now in this economy." Mom lives on Social Security, $12,000 per year. Father worked in the foundry (GE?) under bad conditions for many years. Social Security he will work to protect. Health care, drugs at reasonable cost. "I'll be your voice on the floor of Congress."
It's at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, sponsored by AARP, run by Susan Arbetter of WMHT public television. Standing room only. A guy standing in line tried to physically restrain me as, arrogant media type that I remain, I went pass to talk my way in (successfully).
So I wave to you from the stage and you totally snub me. What's your personal e-mail address so I can berate you privately? Susan
Posted by: Susan Arbetter | March 04, 2009 at 08:11 AM