Live Thread for Minnesota Senate debate

FOX NEWS | 11.04.02 | me

[wewillnotfail]

Fox will air the debate if it happens. Please ping interested parties?

[wewillnotfail]

We can't get C-SPAN 2 so my exposure to Wellstone was via
sound bits and he seemed anything BUT charming....

[LaGrone]

I think Coleman did well in the debate and certainly wish him success tomorrow.

In Texas I believe that both Perry and Cornyn win by good margins.

[MNlurker]

I would bet that A LOT of MN was listening to this today and couldn't have been very comfortable after Mondale's statement and Coleman's response.

Of course it still comes down to tomorrow and our theories still don't count as extra votes tomorrow.

[LaGrone]

I think Coleman did well in the debate and certainly wish him success tomorrow.

In Texas I believe that both Perry and Cornyn win by good margins.

[Darlin']

".... This might make partisan Dems of the sort you'd find at DU feel good, but hard to imagine it will play well with undecided moderates. "

That is what I'm thinking, too. Coleman is going to get the Republican vote. He was appealing to the undecided moderates by being a gentleman. A clear contarst with Mondale who was rude and incoherent.

[concerned about politics]

I'm not sure I got through to my mother inlaw .. but I caught my father inlaws ear and he is voting Republican

It was the Dumpocraps that raised taxes on Social Security, too. They don't care who they steel from.

[Rokke]

"Coleman has his base locked up and is deliberately designed his demeanor today to appeal to independents and swing voters, especially women. "

I think you've nailed it. There is overwhelming evidence that MN Republicans are fired up to vote for Coleman. He would have gained absolutely nothing by throwing more red meat to them. Instead, he used this opportunity to communicate with the few undecided or the folks leaning Mondale because Republicans are all so "mean". By all accounts, he drew a very clear contrast against Mondale for all those folks. By comparison, take a look at New Jersey and even the Hillery/Lazio debates. In both cases the Republican candidate clearly and aggressively dominated, and in both cases it helped them not one bit.

[LincolnLover]

Well, Kirk promised to be a tough candidate right from the start: former mayor of Dallas (a huge GOP base in statewide races) who has marketed himself for years as being 'acceptably moderate' enough for moderate to conservative types to vote for. Kirk also sells the 'feel-good' factor to 'progressive' white voters of possibly becoming the first Af-American US Senator in modern TX history.

Being a center/left of center black man with strong ties to Dallas and much sympathy in Houston (the two largest Dem bases in the state) theoretically makes him a good candidate. He also, theoretically, gets a boost from higher than normal Hispanic turnout for Sanchez (hence all the "Dream Team" talk).

Conryn's biggest hindrance is lack of name recognition; hopefully, he'll hold on to what has been a progressively tightening race the past two weeks.

[Coop]

Hate to say it, but Mondale is not embarassing himself.

I think it's wishful thinking to assume he would. He has been around the block a few times. I'm just hoping Norm Coleman - the sorta unproven one - turns in an impressive performance.

[wewillnotfail]

I missed it. DH came in and asked for an update ...grrr.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The DU folks seemed to have no feel for political strategy. The prevailing sentiment was: "hey, did you see Mondale cut Coleman off and treat him like a little boy? Wow, he really put him in his place! Great stuff!"

It didn't seem to dawn on them that this could backfire on Mondale with voters other than rabid, Republican-hating DU types.

If the roles had been reversed, I have no doubt that FReepers would have questioned the wisdom of being so blatantly rude to an opponent, even if some might have enjoyed the tactic on a visceral level.

[crasher]

You said you can judge these darned things. I didn't see it. What's your bottom line. Did Coleman's chances of winning increase or decline because of this?

[wewillnotfail]

Mondale keeps talking about being independent

Actually he was saying "I'm in Depends" undergarments.

Thank you soooo much for the LOL!

[LaGrone]

Dallas and Houston are Kirk's main base. The rain tomorrow should help us. Thanks for your thoughts!

[frmrda]

I was going under teh assumption that he would debate in the same incoherent manner that he has shown on the stump. I think William McKinley had a pretty good analysis at post 755.

[MNlurker]

Woman who called into KSTP made a good point.

For the most part, stay at home mother's were able to watch this at home. Coleman's tone and demeanor should come off much better with a group that for the most part had been leaning towards Wellstone/Mondale.

Base was already sealed. He needed to pick off more of the woman vote.

[Coop]

[Mondale]'s going to win the election.

Sure... unless Coleman gets more votes than him.

[mombonn]

LOL - Rush was RIGHT! Fritz DOES look like a turtle with glasses!

[justshutupandtakeit]

Still trying to pass off your bilge I see. justshe seems to understand there is little Light to be expected from any of your whacky words.

[Mo1]

It was the Dumpocraps that raised taxes on Social Security, too.

Exactly .. and it is also the Dems that are making a lot of the companies in this country to leave here .. which causes high unemployment