Perry, Hutchison face gender pitfalls at GOP debate [TexasGov] LIVE THREAD

Dallas Morning News ^ | 1-14-2010 | CHRISTY HOPPE

[deport]

AUSTIN – Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin have helped shift the landscape, but gender issues are still tricky for male candidates in political debates.

Rick Perry may discover the pitfalls when, for the first time in his long political career he's the only man on stage tonight against two female contenders. From gestures to tone to r-e-s-p-e-c-t, the age-old tussle between men and women will be magnified by stage lights and close-up cameras during the hourlong Republican gubernatorial debate in Denton, broadcast live on public television......

Communications and political experts said that in facing off against women, Perry must stay steady and calm. He must not seem to attack. Mostly, he must stay unfailingly polite because TV amplifies a tone and a look and assumes an attitude.

And if he slips, as plenty of male candidates famously have, TV also provides an endless instant replay and becomes the one thing remembered from the debate – and not just for the relatively few watching, but for the millions who didn't.

Kay Bailey Hutchison, in her fervor to score political points, must not come across as too "shrill" – a word reserved almost exclusively to describe women in debates.

She must avoid a high-pitched tone and anything that resembles scolding. What comes across as forceful for a man is sometimes seen as churlish in a woman. .....

Adding to the peril for both Hutchison and Perry is the presence of Debra Medina, an outsider with little to lose. Tea Party followers have coalesced around Medina, who has pushed gun rights, border defense and state nullification of federal mandates. KERA said it decided to invite Medina to the debate because she had attracted media and public interest.

end snips

[catarac]

You go right ahead but know this. That phony passed an income tax on companies to raise 8 Billion dollars on businesses which immediately passed it on to you.He absolutely lied that your property taxes would go “down” . What a lie!!! Then he wanted a toll road from Mexico to run drugs and illegals up your backside.You love this kook— go ahead!!!~

[catarac]

God Bless you mommy. GO AWAY>

[deport]

My guess is that BELO has set the criteria so Medina won’t be included based upon this release.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/politics/6812368.html

DALLAS — A second televised debate between the top two Republican candidates for governor has been scheduled for Jan. 29...........

The News reported that a third Republican gubernatorial candidate, Debra Medina, did not meet Belo’s criteria to be included in the debate.

[Eaker]

God Bless you mommy. GO AWAY>

Cataract, you can't see that you are making a fool of yourself and making Medina look bad?

Good job.

[computerjunkie]

I really like Medina. She has good ideas and is a true conservative as far as I can tell. I’m going to vote for her in the primary, and if she doesn’t win, I’ll vote for Perry.

[deport]

A report from the Star Telegram, Fort Worth

GOP gubernatorial candidates debate job losses, big government

From staff and wire reports

DENTON -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry opened tonight’s televised gubernatorial debate by declaring “this is the best state in the nation to be living in today.”

His opponents -- U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina -- tore into Perry as an advocate of big government and the governor who signed the largest tax hike in state history.

Hutchison said Texas lost 300,000 jobs over the past year and said, “That is not a record to be proud of.”

Perry tried to point to the jobs he has created in office and cited positive statistics stretching from November 2007 to November 2008.

“Let’s talk about ’09,” Hutchison replied.

Perry said Texas leads the nation in the development of jobs and it’s one of the top places for small businesses. But Hutchison argued that taxes have increased under Perry.

Texas’ unemployment rate is at 8 percent, about two percentage points below the national average.

Responding to a question about federal spending and what program they like best and what they would cut, both Perry and Hutchison touted the military as the government’s best and most deserving operation.

Medina accused both the governor and senator of being advocates of “big government solutions.”

On another issue, Hutchison was asked by Star-Telegram Austin bureau chief Dave Montgomery to clarify her position on abortion. She said that overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion could lead to “abortion havens.”

The opening debate of the 2010 statewide campaign season was held at the University of North Texas in Denton. The Star-Telegram was a sponsor

[jsdjason]

I was all but ready to place my vote for the lesser of two evils, Rick Perry, but low and behold Medina snuck onto the stage and cleaned both of their clocks. How could any conservative NOT support Medina?

Had I known more about Medina I’d have given my support to her much earlier. This is her problem, she is unknown and doesn’t have nearly the funding that the big 2 have. I’ve been seeing a lot of Hutchison and Perry commercials one right after another, but nothing from Medina. If she could get her message out she might have a chance. Belo not allowing her for the next debate is a joke, especially since she arguably won this debate.

[TheMom]

He absolutely lied that your property taxes would go “down”

We own two properties in Texas, in two different counties. In both counties our property taxes were reduced. In Harris County the appraisal district raised the value of our property. Please explain to me how that is the fault of the Governor?

[deport]

From the Dallas Morning News:

Texas GOP gov. candidates clash over taxes, jobs

By KELLEY SHANNON / Associated Press

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry clashed Thursday over job losses in Texas and whether taxes have risen during Perry's tenure as the state's longest-serving chief executive.

During a televised debate in the GOP gubernatorial race, Perry tried to point to the jobs he has created in office and cited positive statistics stretching from November 2007 to November 2008.

Hutchinson, who is challenging Perry in the GOP primary on March 2, replied: "Let's talk about '09."

Both Hutchison and Republican Party activist Debra Medina, who is also seeking the nomination, pointed out jobs were lost.

"We lost 300,000 jobs in Texas this year; that is not a record to be proud of," Hutchison said.

Perry, seeking an unprecedented third four-year term, boasted that Texas leads the nation in the development of jobs and it's one of the top places for small businesses. Texas' unemployment rate is at 8 percent, about two percentage points below the national average.

Hutchison argued that taxes have increased under Perry.

Perry took over as governor in December 2000 when George W. Bush resigned to become president. Now Perry is seeking an unprecedented third four-year term.

End excerpts........ more at link provided above.

[LongElegantLegs]

I’m from California. Sorry. :-)

[speelurker]

Yeah, apparently she needs 15% in the polls:

http://www.belo.com/pressRelease.x2?release=20100112-1954.html

Only poll I'm aware of so far had her at 7%.

[Need4Truth]

Medina proposed eliminating property tax and funding the state with sales taxes. Sounds great to me but how would that be possible? Texas has no state income tax.

[deport]

Nothing to apologize for. It is easy to confuse since Hutchinson would seemed to the be correct spelling. Many Texans get the name wrong also. I was only trying to point out the correct spelling. No offense and no apology needed. Thanks for offering, stay safe and have a nice evening.

[catarac]

What a joke!!! Your appraisal goes up so the parasite county and local government don’t take a pay cut. Are you serious? you don’t know what a liar he was? Tell me “no” !!!!

[catarac]

Mama Mama.Get lost.

[Professional Engineer]

He seems to forget that conservatism when the campaign is over.

That is a good observation. My main objection to him as well.

No votes for Rinos.

[beanshirts]

Easy, after eliminating the property tax you increase and broaden the state sales tax. With no property tax and a higher sales tax there’s no need for an income tax. In a very broad sense... it’s about like replacing the income tax/IRS at the federal level with a consumption tax or implementing the Fair Tax.

Plus... a Medina administration would almost certainly push for lower state spending than Perry or KBH anyway.

On the debate front, hopefully she’ll get a bunch of the undecideds and leaners to move her way after the debate tonight... and she’ll be up in the high teens by the end of the month in post-debate polls.

[Eaker]

Keep digging n00bie.

Unless you are a KBH supporter then you are doing a great job screwing Medina’s candidacy here on FR.

Weren’t you the one who started the “Trannies for Medina” thread that was pulled?

[who knows what evil?]

I stumbled across this debate on C-SPAN earlier while Medina was talking about the 2nd Amendment...I turned to my wife and said ‘I have no idea who this woman is, but I like her already!’ Then I saw Perry, and I realized what I was watching. I am nowhere near Texas, but Medina would have my vote. This country needs a complete overhaul, with a healthy transfusion of fresh blood.

[catarac]

No. All I have is free speech and free thought. She won the debate with ideas and leadership. MEDINA!!!! Vote for the IDEAS not what you are told to do !!!