Posted on 10/19/2010 7:42:31 PM PDT by MplsSteve
Jim Oberstar and Chip Cravaack didn’t just face each other this morning at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Auditorium, they faced angry mobs of their opponent’s supporters.
Just seconds into the first comments by DFLer Oberstar, Cravaack supporters began to shout the long-term incumbent down with calls of "liar" and "Obama Junior."
By the time challenger Cravaack’s turn came, Oberstar supporters responded in kind.
Moderators asked for civility and respect, but the cat calls and jeering from a nearly-full auditorium continued through most of the 90-minute forum, often drowning-out candidates' answers over a faulty sound system that lacked volume.
Oberstar was cut short several times, and fell into responding to Cravaack supporters as they heckled him.
"You just don’t want to hear the facts. You don’t want to hear the truth," Oberstar tried to say.
"You don’t know the truth," a Cravaack supporter responded.
Many of the more than 1,800 in attendance had made up their minds as to who they’ll vote for well before the forum. Most wore stickers, shirts or hats with their candidate’s name. The candidates did get their chance to stake-out their positions on key issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at duluthnewstribune.com ...
Jim Oberstar, a poster child for term limits if there ever was one, truly seemed defensive and angered at being challenged by members of the crowd.
I looked around and tried to find a clip or two of some of the exchanges between Oberstar and the crowd - but didn't have much luck. If you read the article in its entirety, I think you'll get the idea.
Said two spectators at the debate (more than likely Oberstar supporters) "I've never seen such rudeness from the audience or such incivility," said Shelly Mategko, of Duluth. "It wasn't really a debate, it was more of a rally and I just thought it could've been more thoughtful in that way," said Al Church, of Minneapolis.
I am glad to see that for the first time in decades, Jim Oberstar is finally seeing a solid challenge in the heavily Dem 8th District. Chip Cravaack is running a great campaign and I wish him the best.
Comments or opinions - anyone?
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What do bed Cravaack’s supporters got themselves to the debate, and Oberstar’s supporters were bussed in by a union?
Reminds me of the Wellstone “Funerally”, ironically, also held in Minnesooota...shame it involved our people, too.
Oberstar has been caught absolutely flat-footed by the strength of Cravaack’s challenge. In the western part of the 8th District Cravaack signs outnumber Oberstar’s 100 to 1. As one former Iron Ranger said, “The Times - They Are A-Changing!”
Well Played!
Lets all hope Mr. Zimmerman's quote plays true!
check the duluth news-tribune, they might have some on there DTV site
I saw on a similar FR thread that Oberstar has the safest seat in the country, and that his constituency is a union stronghold. Does Cravaack have a good - or any - chance to win this?
It is true that Oberstar’s district is heavily Dem. But it’s culturally conservative. The residents of the 8th District like their snowmobiles and guns. They’re strongly pro-life and anti gay marriage.
Winning the 8th District is possible and if there ever a year to do that, this is the year. There does appear to be a stronger than usual level of dis-satisfaction with Oberstar, especially since he voted for cap and trade and sold out his pro-life credentials by voting for the Healthcare bill.
The key to Cravaack winning the district is that he must do exceptionally well in the southern and western parts of the district to off-set Oberstar’s strength in the city of Duluth and the rest of St Louis County.
Here’s a map of the district:
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