I should say that I'm not saying that was the best and most important question that could have been asked...I'm just saying that it is reasonable to expect those type questions.
I *guess* so.. I still find it ridiculous though. All the other candidates were being asked about their campaign promises and what they would change, and Kinky gets asked if holding a cigar would be a bad image for the kids. He could've answered it better, no doubt -- but to me all it does is distract from the real issue. If you're worried about your kids, worry about what Perry's not doing and what Kinky wants to do differently, not whether or not he'll light up a stogey.
longtimefan... you mention the question distracting from the real issue... Isn't he the one creating the distraction? When people think of him they think of that cigar, hat, etc.... the image has made him famous, but it also can distract from his issues at times.
Basically, what I am saying is to many people he is famous because of that image not because of his views on things. By using a cigar, etc in a debate.. he becomes known for that. People tend to focus on things that are "different". When you become known for that people are going to ask questions such as that.... but maybe they could have used a different submitted question to ask.
That's his whole platform, that he's not a politician and different from the rest. I just don't understand why out of all the valid questions they could've asked, whether or not he will smoke cigars in office was the one they picked. Surely we can agree there are hundreds of better questions to ask a candidate. Serious question though - what's the worst that could happen if he's elected? Would suffering through Perry for another 2-4 years be worth it? Personally, I'd like to find out what Kinky could do. He's different than anything we've ever had before -- and maybe that's exactly what we need. Worst case scenario they go back to republican in 2 years, I think it's worth the risk.
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=118064 I guess most of us here are "anti establishment" radicals. Did this debate changed anyone's mind?
I actually support Perry, but even if I weren't conservative, Kinky still wouldn't be my choice. It will be interesting to see if some Kinky voters end up switching to Bell. I think being a governor is a difficult job and needs political skill. People like Kinky because he isn't the usual politican, but once elected he would have to be a politican. He'd have to be able to deal with getting things done politically. He'd have to know how to deal with governors from other states, know how to get things done in Austin, etc. To win, I think he is going to have to convince people he is more than just "different" and more than just a guy with a cigar and find a way to get people to look at his issues. The image he has is going to make it hard because people are always going to think of the hat, cigar, etc.
I was going to vote for Friedman, but I'm not sure he's answering the questions at the debate. On that question regarding the "10% Rule" for state colleges, he just rambled on how Texas has problems with education without really answering the question. I like Friedman, but I saw a lot of red flags from this debate.
What was the point about the light bill for the Governor's Mansion??? Do they not want the next governor to live in that house or something?
Huh? Did you really watch? The only time Perry mentioned somebody else's ideas or governing was when he did his standard "Democrats will increase your taxes and he is no different" routine and he gestured towards Bell. The only thing he said about Kinky was that you cannot use his kind of language as Governor. He never rally acknowledged Grandma...and really nobody should have, including the questioners.
Some background to put my comments in perspective: For the last presidential election I gave money to Wesley Clark twice which is something I've never done even once before. Up to this point I have supported Friedman. As a general rule I abhor polished slick politicians. In viewing Friedman relative to Bell, Strayhorn and Perry, I agree that the other three were more on target with their responses. I still like Friedman, however. Friedman seemed to me to exhibit all the flaws of someone who hadn't done a whole lot of debating before. Though he hid it fairly well he was definitely nervous and strayed off topic. What I didn’t hear from him were typical Politician’s platitudes. I didn't hear any answering unfavorable questions with answers to different questions. The first couple of times through Kinky was asked questions and his answers seemed like he was at least trying to answer them. The first word out of his mouth to the first question was ‘yes’. Bell's, Strayhorn's and Perry’s answers were approached in round about fashion, using political phrases. Strayhorn came with ‘my plan of putting people first’ and beat to death 'In a Strayhorn administration', and Perry talked about ‘that’s what leadership is’ and ‘I worked in a bipartisan way’. Chris Bell came with ‘business need to be paying their fair share’. All three of them answered their questions in circuitous tortured ways. When Strayhorn and Perry were talking, I felt like I was listening to speechwriters, speaking coaches, and campaign managers. When Kinky spoke it sounded like Kinky. If I’m going to vote for someone I would like to at least hear them answer questions without calculating and measuring the responses. I thought Bell looked good relative to Strayhorn and Perry. If Kinky weren’t speaking I would have thought he looked good by using less politicians speak. For someone who is a natural politician he did well. So, I supported Kinky before and I still support him. No big surprise. Bell didn’t look as ineffectual and effete as he had to me to this point. Fundamentally I agree with Kinky’s disapproval of career politicians and in this debate I saw Kinky and three career politicians. I'm not really sure why Kinky was wearing Army parachutist wings and I think an Army combat infantry badge.
I respect the fact that you are a conservative. Democrats in Texas have traditionally been conservative, in the main. DeLay's (and Perry's) redistricting ploy got rid of almost every one of the remaining conservative white Democratic Congressmen, mostly the last of the breed, despite being reelected in majority Republican districts because the people liked their representation. You might be surprised to learn that a lot of Texas Democrats consider Bell to be quite conservative, including this liberal. I have a question, if you don't mind. Could you explain why you like Perry? What he's done that you think has been good for the state? What he's done that has been good for the middle class? Do you know anything about his main financial backers? I'm genuinely curious. I personally don't know a Republican that likes him. I guess that explains why his approval ratings have hovered around 35%. In my opinion, if there was one decent candidate running against him, instead of these three, or if a good candidate had run against him in the GOP primary, like Kay Bailey, Perry would be toast already (by the Senator), or toast on election day. I think John Sharp could have beaten him this go-round, if these three weren't running, for example. Anyway, like I said, I'm curious. If any other Republicans can explain why they like Perry, I'd be interested in hearing from them, as well. Just be someone who can vote for or against him in November. Thanks! Keep D&D Civil.
kinky got me with the casino gambling! KINKY!!! edit: now he threw me off with this line: "I want Willie Nelson to head.." LMAO I like this line by Chris Bell: "I'll tell you what make people enthusiastic John..." having the best public schools in the country.. LOL...i'm pumped (though i do agree with him on that..im not very enthusiastic)
deckard... First, I will say that Rick Perry is the only one of them that I've met and that was briefly when I was taking a pic with him at my graduation back in May. He did seem like a nice guy. As for why I support him in this election, if you give me some time I'll try and put together the best response I can while focusing on actual issues. I actually interned in Mayor White's Office last summer so I consider myself to be someone that is reasonable and will admit when someone from the other party does a good job. Just give me a little time to write up a good answer because that does deserve a good response.
I should also say that although I hope Rick Perry wins, I'd love to hear reasons to vote for Kinky other than just the fact that he is "different". I'd also like to hear about Bell. I don't know a whole lot about him and would like to hear more. I'd like to focus not so much on what you dislike about the other candidates, but what you like about the candiate that you support. I want to hear reasons to vote for Bell or Kinky besides just they are different than Perry.
One more quick thing, I just graduated from Vanderbilt so I've been out of state much of the past 4 years, but I have tried my best to keep up with the issues.
Take all the time you need. Absolutely. I appreciate the response, and look forward to hearing from you. I understand how meeting someone can affect you're feelings towards him/her in politics. I've met some well known politicians in my time, and it certainly has an impact. And I've noted several times here, over the years, that I got to see JFK give his Rice Stadium speech telling America that we were going to the Moon by the end of the decade. I've never forgotten it. The reaction here, from some folks, was that I had been mesmerized, like the Germans and Hitler, lol! Seriously. Keep D&D Civil.
deckard... Meeting him isn't why I support him, just thought I'd mention that since it was pretty cool for someone that loves Texas as much as I do to have the governor of their state at an out of state graduation. It was also interesting to see meet a governor when he isn't in his typical role. He was there to see his son as a dad and seemed like a really nice guy when I spoke to him briefly. The interesting thing about having such a big nation and state is that you usually never meet the person that you vote for and it is sometimes hard to judge them just based off of television. Since I mentioned that I interned in the Mayor's Office last summer, I do think that Bill White works hard to make this a great city.
I also listened to and met Howard Dean and Ann Coulter on back to back days, so I sure am willing to listen to both sides! Those two are far opposites of each other for sure. I'm working on my post about Rick Perry.
