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House debate tonight

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: August 4, 2008 - 8:09 pm

KTUU-Channel 2 will have all the candidates for U.S. House under one roof -- at UAA's Wendy Williamson auditorium -- tonight between 9 and 10 p.m. It'll be broadcast live on Channel 2 and Webcaston ktuu.com. Democrats Diane Benson and Ethan Berkowitz are on from 9 to 9:30, and Republicans Gabrielle LeDoux, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and incumbent Rep. Don Young from 9:30 to 10.

Come back here and talk about it.

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14 August 5, 2008 - 4:31pm | bubbaboy

What are our choices?

This is so lame. Once again, we, as Alaskans, have ourselves backed into a corner. While I desperately DON'T want to vote for Young - there is no way I can vote for Parnell with good conscience after last night's performance; and while Gabrielle seems nice enough and fairly informed, she's not convincing either.

Oh how I wish John Harris had gotten into the race. It'll have to be Young who gets my vote, again. I know he's under investigation and I'm so sick of his arrogance - but at least he showed up informed and ready to fight for what he believes in at the debate. I'm not going to vote for someone who akwardly calls themselves a "light," as if that's supposed to clear it all up.

And, while I'm ranting - I'm also upset as an Evangelical Christian, that certain politicians in our State apparently think they can rest on the home crowd who shares the same belief system to show up at the voting booth and vote them into whatever office they want. Go do your homework. Learn the issues. Fight for what you KNOW IS RIGHT.

If it has to be Congressman Berkowitz, fine. So be it. We don't deserve better as conservatives if we can't get our collective act together. All of us - time out and to the corner with dunce hats to go around.

13 August 5, 2008 - 10:50am | msfish

Parnell (lack of) performance

Parnell seemed to completely lose his train of thought and almost go off into a trance during his closing remarks -- even though closing statements are always an important part of any debate, and therefore, should be the easiest part to pull off. And the lack of response to the earmarks question was so awkward. In all, his performance was almost painful to watch. No wonder he skipped previous debates. Does anyone know if there will be more debates before the primary? Tx to Jason Moore and KTUU!

12 August 5, 2008 - 10:34am | username08

Follow the Money

Follow the link below to learn more about the actual campaign filings from all candidates and quickly answer questions like how much cash does Berkowitz have on hand (about $400K out of $620 raised) or how much has Parnell received from Club for Growth (about $165K out of $300 raised):
http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/efile_search.shtml

11 August 5, 2008 - 5:55am | getridofthefish

Parnell bad

I have to agree with everyone. Parnell sucked!

This coming from a guy who actually appreciates AGIA (me). I didn't see the Berkowitz / Benson debate, but I would say Don Young and Gabrielle LeDoux kicked ass on Sean Parnell.

His closing statement was ghastly. His earmark responses empty. And I have to say, even though I don't personally like Don Young that much, you can't get much more Alaskan and blue collar for a guy who's been in DC so long.

Did anyone else catch Young's comment when they asked Sean what his Olympic event would be? After Parnell answered, Young chimed in with "Hopscotch?"

Good thing Don didn't flog him with his oosik.

10 August 5, 2008 - 2:51am | gargantua

Parnell was horrendous

I don't think I have seen anyone as bad as Parnell when it comes to debates.

August 5, 2008 - 10:06am | LilysDaddy

Parnell,

did sucketh mightily in last night's debate.

Sheesh.

August 5, 2008 - 11:18am | _Syrin

Ha! We agree on something...

IMO, Parnell just sucketh in general.

..Just sayin

9 August 4, 2008 - 11:47pm | north_to_alaska

Sean Parnell looked awful

Sean Parnell looked awful tonight. His closing statement is one of the worst things I have ever seen. His performance tonight rivals John McCain.

Now on to Parnell's stances......he is anti-earmark and is supported by a Washington DC group that is going to put hundreds of thousands of dollars into his campaign. This group knows nothing about Alaska and what Alaska needs. It is ridiculous for Mr. Parnell to accept donations from these people. I wonder is any of the people who "donate" through Club for Growth have actually been to Alaska? I think not.....

Wake up Alaska, Parnell is a joke and he should stick to Lt. Gov, where he can allow Palin to make all the decisions and control him. After all, overseeing the Division of Elections is a very complicated job......

8 August 4, 2008 - 11:02pm | Talkradio

Look who showed up??

I'm glad to see all typical Palin/Parnell haters who ran to the blog tonight. It's pretty obivious what the agenda is. Good try, but it didn't work.

Eddie Burke

August 5, 2008 - 2:49am | gargantua

Nothing to do with bashing

Eddie,

This has nothing to do with bashing. Parnell was just the most horrible person debating tonight. No questions about it.

August 5, 2008 - 12:34am | tlamb775

Eddie,

Parnell was flat on his answers. The earmark issue was poorly answered. He is naive when it comes to Washington Politics and his ads suggest this.

When asked which earmarks in Alaska he would cut he had no answer. He tried to stay on focus with Outside earmarks to Florida. To get earmarks for Alaska he would have to support earmarks for other congressman.

This B.S. holier-than-thou attitude on earmarks is the talking point of politicians who are hypocrites or naive.

One Congressman from Alaska is not going to change Washington Politics. If there is a point then it could be made on the way it was done when he pointed to Florida. But the investigation is still out on that.

I will say Don Young is a fighter but his attitude on Unions and the workers of Alaska leaves out a hell of a lot of workers who aren't union and are workers.

I had high hopes for Parnell because the B.S. on this investigation on Young should have been concluded.

Either hand down an indictment before the primary or shut the case down.

Parnell was flat and will have to do better if he is going to make it.

Ethan and Parnell are about on the same level when it comes to issues. It is interesting to note that Ethan has to move to the center almost skirting the right on issues because he knows he would never get elected on where his base leans and how he will have to operate within the Congress under a Democrat majority.

Point being in all of this? Not one politician will change Washington. At least Don Young knows that.

August 4, 2008 - 11:23pm | biglake78

Any lifeform in the entire

Any lifeform in the entire universe with the most basic cognitive thought process could tell you Parnell looked and talked like an idiot tonight. Only a mother could like a performance like that.
doesn't have anything to do with Palin/Parnell bashing

August 4, 2008 - 11:15pm | sitkarose

Wait a minute

The KTUU broadcast just ended down here in Southeast. Parnell sounded like a bumbling idiot outside of your media market, too. It's not so much that this guy didn't answer a question, its that it seemed he COULDN'T answer the questions. He got owned by both Gabriell LeDoux and Don Young.

God help Alaska if this guy wins...

August 4, 2008 - 11:23pm | predictable

Interpreter...

Eddie obviously understood Parnells tangents and babble.

August 4, 2008 - 11:36pm | sitkarose

Must be

Love her or hate her, the Governor is beautiful and relatively articulate, which makes for good media, but is that any reason to elect a bumbling idiot who can't put two sentences together? C'mon Alaska, lets send someone who can think on his feet. I wonder how fast he might be eaten alive in the Congressional cloak room???

7 August 4, 2008 - 10:49pm | dunsmore

Benson and Young were the winners

Parnell was surprisingly unprepared, and Young brought his A game. Benson and Berkowitz both did well, but Berkowitz's bizarre attack question made him seem desparate and like he was grasping at straws.

August 4, 2008 - 10:57pm | blue_in_AK

I agree with you.

I thought Diane Benson was the best of all of them. She seemed a little nervous at first, but once she hit her stride she was impressive. There really wasn't much Berkowitz could say on the "Green" question once Diane pointed out that the percentage of votes she took away from Fran Ulmer wouldn't have made any difference anyway. I admire her for taking a stand, then and now. Of all of the candidates, I think she is most in touch with the independence and spirit of Alaska.

6 August 4, 2008 - 10:26pm | biglake78

parnell

It was stunning how horrible Parnell was. That guy was a lawyer? He should drop out right now before he embarrases himself anymore. I hope his family didn't see that. Man did he get served by Young. Wow

August 4, 2008 - 10:30pm | TheSdog

The student has outdone

the teacher.

He took the Palin formula of debate of knowing no details and spinning off on tangents to new heights. One thing he forgot to do was get a long list of quotes from dead people from her to use.

August 4, 2008 - 11:07pm | predictable

formula...

I can't decide if the empty perma-grin was harder to look at or the lifeless answers were harder to listen to.

BTW - Get off the no earmark platform.

5 August 4, 2008 - 10:26pm | TheSdog

may have his troubles ahead of him but he cleaned up in the debate tonight.

Sean Parnell had a performance that was even worse than those given by The Palin during the gubernatorial race. He tried to spin away from questions and had pregnant pauses while he fumbled with his attempts. There is no way he should be sent to DC.

LeDoux did get her slam in on SF Dems which seemed like a backhand at Berkowitz. She also was able to string thoughts together which put her light years ahead of Parnell. The smartest thing she did was slice up Parnell especially on AGIA.

Both Dems were not particularly good at hiding their far left leanings which is a killer. they would be mere fodder in the Nancy Pelosi machine.

4 August 4, 2008 - 10:14pm | Syntax

Sean "I'm not crying" Parnell

Sean Parnell looked like was going to cry and he couldn't answer the questions about Club for Growth. He also couldn't list the 5 earmarks... or 3, once it was obvious that he doesn't know anything. All of his answers were totally pathetic. Don Young, Gabrielle LeDoux & Ethan Berkowitz were the winners tonight. God, Sean was terrible. Diane was blah.

3 August 4, 2008 - 10:06pm | desaerica

Don Young wins debate.

I hate to say it. On the Iraq war, Parnell supports the policies of the President and the generals. Can you believe that? Benson projected anti-violence policies such as the death penalty and the war, but left the choice whether to kill a poor, defenseless, little fetus up to the individual. Ladoux was luke warm. Berkowitz appeared more professional. Parnell talked like he was reading from his little index cards. Don Young was the only candidate to get a rise out of the crowd. Gee, he ain't gonna win is he?

2 August 4, 2008 - 9:59pm | wasillagirlz

Sean

That was a terrible closing. Gabrielle and Don kicked your butt. Yawn.

1 August 4, 2008 - 8:22pm | LilysDaddy

*Sigh*

These debates just won't be the same without Theresa Obermeyer.

August 4, 2008 - 8:29pm | akmooster

i agree...

The thing about Theresa, you ALWAYS knew where she stood. You ALWAYS knew she wasn't going to change her mind. And, like her or not, like her positions or not, like the way she proceeded or not, AT LEAST SHE WASN'T A CROOK!

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House debate tonight