Posted on 06/15/2005 5:34:56 PM PDT by bizzyblog
I tuned in as local radio talker Bill (Willie) Cunningham, who supported Schmidt in the GOP primary interviewed Schmidt and Hackett separately for 9 minutes each in the 1PM hour Wednesday afternoon.
Comments (in italics) only relate to how the interview was conducted.
Schmidt
- Wont raise taxes.
- Waffled on Social Security a bit. (but Cunningham IMO wasnt fair on the SocSec questions and was interrupting)
- Schmidt doesnt know if its a good idea to raise retirement age to 69 or raise earnings cap to $150,000. (Club for Growth pulling hair out)
- Says that whatever she ends up supporting, she wont get into the pockets of everyday taxpayers.
- Cunningham noted that the Cincy Post quoted Hackett saying that biggest danger facing America is George Bush. Schmidt said its Al Qaeda, and emphasized importance of protecting borders, especially Mexico.
- Schmidt characterized Hacketts Bush remark as typical Dem liberal spin.
- Against raising minimum wage.
- IraqSupports presidents plan. We need to establish democracy and improve peoples lives, get rid of the thugs, and with thugs gone, people will embrace freedom.
- Gitmothese are terrorists, we cant let them loose, keep them there. - Abortionon Schiavo, would have supported what Congress did because husband was looking out for his interests not hers.
- Supports tort reform.
- Said McEwen may have conceded but her VoiceMail box was so full she couldnt get into it.
- Said DeWine conceded and was a gentleman. (why no mention of Brinkman?)
- Hackett wants seven debates, but Schmidt points out that the same people often come to the same debates.
- Will do radio debate with Hackett on Cunningham show.
- Likes Huggins (for out-of-towners and the sports-impaired, hes the University of Cincinnati basketball coach), would not fire Huggins if she ran UC.
Hackett
- Asked Willie to be nice, be good to a brother Irishman.
- George Bush being the greatest danger to America comment was tongue in cheekwas really talking in terms of how unhappy he is with how Bush has led the way of the government getting into the private lives of Americans. Its dangerous.
- Says AlQ is biggest security threat, and Cunningham should have known that.
- Cunningham countered by saying that Hacketts fellow Dems talk like that all the time.
- Hackett emphasizes that as a soldier he will lay his life on the line and obey Presidents orders.
- If elected he will get out of the reserves, but if he loses he will go back to Iraq.
- In response to Cunningham question about whether Hackett is free as a soldier to speak his mind (out of line question, IMO), Hackett says he wasnt on orders, so he is allowed to say whatever he wants.
- AbortionHackett is prochoice. He says abortion is horrible, but says we need to knock off the rhetoric and educate youth to so that the occasions where abortion might occur will be reduced.
- Parental notification on minors abortionsupports under many circumstances, but not others (cited incest).
- Partial Birth Abortionagainst it but will concede to it being appropriate sometimes. Says no to total ban. Wants abortions to be safe, rare, legal.
- Social Securityits not broken. Its like a 1940 Chevy coupe that needs a new paint job and struts, but its salvageable.
- No to retirement age increase. Quotes Buffett as a conservative (objectively Buffett is not a conservative, Willie didnt challenge) who supports higher earnings limit for SocSec taxes.
- Hackett says the people will decide. Wants 7 debates (town hall forums), in 7 counties, on 7 issues. Says he represents American values, that its not a GOP or Dem district.
- Agreed to radio debate.
There are clear contrasts that I dont need to belabor, as FReepers will work this one over.
This interview notes thread is also here:
http://www.bizzyblog.com/?p=229
Link to the radio station is here:
http://www.700wlw.com
I don't see any link to an archive of any of Cunningham's shows
My disappointment is that Willie didn't ask about it. I don't doubt that Brinkman called to congratulate. BTW, I voted for Brinkman.
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