Kentucky GOP Gubernatorial Candidates' Debate

This Monday, March 10, 2003 at 7:00 p.m., the GOP candidates for governor will square off at the University of Louisville Belknap Campus, in the Middleton Auditorium inside Strickler Hall.

The event is free, however, tickets or reservations are required to attend. If you wish to pick up a ticket or want to be placed on the pick-up list for that night, simply e-mail Becky Terhune (with the Jefferson County Young Republicans) at dagnyt@bellsouth.net

I am told you can also request tickets from Wanda Adams Taylor at wjadam01@louisville.edu or 502-852-3323.

Okay, let's try this again. I had my review of last night's gubernatorial debate all ready, and then I lost the text! :<

Let me see if I can re-create the scene for you: the debate was held last night in a small, poorly-lit, warm auditorium inside Strickler Hall at the University of Louisville. I don't know how many this particular auditorium actually seats, but I would estimate that there were about 200 people present.

The debate itself lasted about an hour and a half. And only one of the four Republicans running for governor, Former Jefferson County Judge Executive Rebecca Jackson, actually attended the debate, which was moderated by U of L's PolySci Dept. Chair, Dr. Phil Laemmle. I don't know where U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher was, but he wasn't there. Hunter Bates, his running mate stood in for him. State Rep. Steve Nunn and State Sen. Virgil Moore could not attend because of the State Legislature's late vote on the state budget bill. Former State Rep. Bob Heleringer, Nunn's running mate, stood in for him. Noone was there representing Virgil Moore. :<

The debate centered almost entirely on financial issues. The candidates all agreed on the need for more efficient state government and spending cuts. The moderator asked the candidates questions that were submitted by the audience. But if I know the moderator as I think I do, he must have ignored any questions surrounding social issues. I say this because he didn't ask any, and the candidates walked a fine line to ignore social issues. (Had Senator Virgil Moore been there, that would not have been the case, I can assure you.) Only Rebecca Jackson touched the abortion issue, saying in her closing comments that "all life is precious, and life begins at conception."

On a question about whether Kentucky should have higher cigarette taxes, Jackson and Bates clearly stated they were against such an effort, while Heleringer danced around the issue. On casino gambling: Jackson made it clear that she was against it. Bates gave some seemingly-prepared remark about how it didn't seem the public wanted that at this time. And Heleringer said he would support expanding legalized gambling to boost state revenues, and that we should put it up for a vote by the people. Heleringer actually bragged about the Kentucky finally getting the Lottery, and how he said it helped us catch up with surrounding states.

Jackson's key point seemed to be noting her role as a chief executive and her executive government experience. Heleringer bragged about his experience in the Legislature. Bates' lips moved a lot, but I don't remember him saying anything terribly important.

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