The Belo Debate: My Top 10 Observations
For no other reason than sheer curiosity, I spent last night at WFAA studios for the taping of The Belo Debate featuring Republican gubernatorial primary candidates Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina. I just had to know why dozens of journalists would pack themselves into a storage room to watch an event on television that, of course, they could watch on television anywhere and report the exact same story.
Photos by Sam Merten Once again, Debra Medina was the only one with the guts to face the press after the debate.
The possible upside to being in attendance? Catching the post-debate press conference. But, as had been the case after the first debate, Perry and Hutchison balked at facing the press (Perry announced early that he was out; Hutchison considered it before ultimately declining), while Medina made a statement, took a few questions and left. So while I still try to figure out why everyone didn't just watch it from the comfort of their homes, here are my top 10 observations, a concept admittedly stolen from Richie over at the Sportatorium.
10. This is likely the last debate between these three until the March 2 primary, and Belo decides that relevant questions include naming the first governor of Texas (which Hutchison flubbed, guessing "Burleson," while no Texas governor had that name) and estimating the average annual salary for a teacher (which Medina nailed, guessing $46,000, only $179 off the mark). Even the editorial board at The Dallas Morning News had issues with what they referred to as "Double Jeopardy" questioning. These are not questions that matter to voters, and the exercise amounted to a total waste of time.
9. Will Perry stay for all four years if he's reelected? Will Hutchison really leave the Senate no matter what happens in the primary? Again, these aren't issues germane to the race! Of course, Perry is going to say he's going to serve all four years as governor if he's reelected. And, of course, Hutchison will maintain that she's leaving the Senate no matter what -- she'd be contradicting her previous stance if she said anything else. But does anyone seriously believe that Hutchison is ready to end her political career if she loses? And does anyone think Perry would balk at a presidential run in 2012 if the opportunity presented itself?
8. Hutchison spent a lot of time talking about Perry's support of the Trans-Texas Corridor, but she struggled to articulate why it was such a bad idea. I don't think the words "eminent domain" came out of her mouth once. While the plan is dead, which Perry admitted last night, Hutchison must keep its sprit alive by detailing Perry's land grab. Heck, tell a story about all the farmers who have called you with land that has been in their families for generations that Perry wanted to take from them. This is an issue that matters to a lot of conservatives, but she's not making it resonate the way it should.
Better or worse than watching at home?
7. A lot of time was spent discussing the Texas Enterprise Fund -- $380 million of taxpayers' dough that has been used to lure companies to Texas or convince existing ones to expand. Both Hutchison and Medina attacked Perry on this issue, but it was one area where I thought Perry did relatively well. He strongly defended its use ("I will defend that any day"), while Medina called it a "corporate slush fund," and Hutchison said the businesses would have come here anyway, arguing that the money would have been better spent on education. But where were the facts from Medina and Hutchison?
6. Medina handled her toughest question of the night extremely well, which was related to her comments at an August 2009 Texas Sovereignty or Secession Rally in Austin. She made it clear that she's "never been a fan of secession," and she added that her statements were made in response to Perry's "ill-advised comments" on secession months earlier.
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
