Why Kaine won the debate

The first impression I had after the 90-minute sparring session between Tim Kaine and George Allen in Richmond on Wednesday was that Kaine emerged the victor.

It wasn't a sweeping win that will change the tight trajectory of the race, and Allen didn't make any jolting mistakes — but it is clear that Kaine is a more disciplined and pointed debater, relentlessly returning to two core arguments:

1) Allen has little fiscal credibility to launch critiques on the Obama agenda because of his own voting record.

2) Allen is more partisan and represents the politics of division, whereas Kaine represents balance who will play well with others.

I didn't hear the debate. In future debates and elsewhere, Allen needs some kind of devastating retort to no. 1. He admitted in the debate there was too much spending which is good. But he needs to FORCEFULLY turn it back on Kaine. Something like,

"Yes too much money was spent by the previous Republican administration, and we've learned our lesson on that. But Kaine and Obama accusing us of spending too much is like a professional arsonist criticizing a kid playing with matches."

He then needs to run through the numbers in some detail Kaine's spending proposals as governor and Obama's spending. He has to keep repeating them. For some reason Democrats seem to be better at driving a point home through constant repetition than Republicans. It's like Republicans expect people to get it the first time. He simply cannot allow Kaine to position himself as the more fiscally responsible candidate. If he does he deserves to lose.

And of course he has to tie Kaine to other areas where the public is dissatisfied with Obama such as Obamacare and the dismal job creation record. And he needs a devastating and detailed retort to any attempt by Kaine to use the lie that Obamacare reduces spending. Again the thing is to be forceful.

And of course he has to tie Kaine to other areas where the public is dissatisfied with Obama such as Obamacare and the dismal job creation record.

That should be Job One for Allen. Here in VA, Kaine was on TV damned near every day spouting the wonders of Obamunism, either as "governor" or DNC Chair.

Allen is more partisan and represents the politics of division, whereas Kaine represents balance who will play well with others.

Kaine will play well with "others" like the abortion industry, the gay marriage community, the tax and spend no need for a budget folks, the anti gun lobby, the blame Bush league, socialists, One-World government, and other people with seriously disordered minds.

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