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The Enterprise Ledger reported Friday that Troy University, American Association of Retired Persons, and WSFA are teaming to sponsor three debates for all the candidates for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.
The first debate, which will be televised live from the WSFA studios, is scheduled from 7 until 8 p.m. April 18. That debate is closed to the public since it originates in studio.
The first debate with open attendance is scheduled from 1:30 p.m until 3:30 p.m. April 21 on the Troy Campus in Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor. The final debate of the series is scheduled for April 29 in the Dothan Campus’ Sony Hall from 10 a.m. until noon.
There is “the possibility of questions from the audiences in Troy and Dothan through a submitted question card system.”
The report added, “So far, all but one candidate has confirmed participation in the debate.”
So who was not in? One person close to the debates told the Parlor that Sen. Harri Anne Smith had not agreed to participate. However, Mike Swinehart, who works with Smith’s campaign, told the Parlor that Smith would participate in at least two of the three debates, though he was not sure which two. Sen. Smith told the Parlor that there were invitations to participate in “so very many” debates and forums that they were still working out the schedule of which ones did not conflict with other events or obligations.
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Here is my prediction. No way Harri Anne shows up for the TV debate.
Oh my gosh, Danny posted something that is legitimate news could be construed as anti-Harri Anne. He has to be on Dax Swatek’s payroll for Jay Love now. All of the Anti-Jay Love venom he was spewing earlier was just to cover his tail so he could let his anti-Harri Anne true feelings come out.
[...] CD-2 Debates Scheduled » Doc’s Political Parlor Posted Alabama Politics on Sunday, April 13th, 2008. [...]
What a shock…Harri Anne does not want to participate in a debate. This shows she has no business in Congress. Stay where you are Harri Anne as it seems to be all you can handle in the state senate. Unless they can figure out a way for her consultant to use an earpiece and transmit the answers to the debate questions to her…Harri Anne will not participate for sure. This shows what we are dealing with. To say she has conflicts, previous scheduling, etc. is hogwash. All the other candidates know how to step up and participate.
She does not want to be on a televised debate because she will look weak.
“so very many” … what a crock. she hopes to win this race by talking to little old ladies and running ads yapping about how she is the most conservative person in the race. yet she will not debate. intersting that those close to the debate (the organizers…WSFA, AARP and Troy Univ…say she has not accepted the offer to debate yet ask swinehart and he says “oh we will participate in 2 of 3 yet we can’t decide….” Interesting that those organizing the debates think she is a flat no… guess they haven’t gotten the call from swinehart yet. ALL the other candidates have made room on their schedules to participate in the only formal, and most significant debates that I am aware of. If she can only make 2 of the 3 does that mean she will only make 2 out of every 3 votes should she be elected to Congress and then say “well, there are so very many…” We need someone to fight for district 2 in Congress and not shy away from things.
I sure wish Love and Grimes had only shown up for two out of every three votes on tax hikes :-) Or that Love had refused two out of every three checks from liberal special interests :-)
I like the idea above of holding down damage by pols not taking dirty money and by not making bad votes, but I would like to see all the candidates debate- although these “debates” are usually not debates at all, but rather opportunities for candidate to spew inane slogans. Wh do you think will say “Christain” more – Woods or Love?
These debates, as opposed to “candidate forums” should actually have some pointed questions to them and not allow the candidates to spew on and on about something un related. I have been waiting for some real issues to be discussed in this race…
Oh I think there are some real issues out there, but I doubt seriously THOSE are the ones the candidates want to discuss. If they did, the debate would go like this:
Jay Love: ” . . and that is why I am proud for voting for the tax hikes in Amendment one.”
David Grimes: “I agree with you 100% Jay.”
Harri Anne Smith: “Can I phone a friend?”
Jay Love: “I want everyone in the district to know that Union boss Mac MacArthur is my best friend and biggest donor, along with Democrat consultant Joe Perkins. They got me elected.”
David Grimes: “MATRIX helped me too.”
Harri Anne Smith: “My friend isn’t anwering his phone – when he does I will give you a position.”
Somehow I doubt we will hear stuff like that – true as it is.
HA HA. That’s pretty good actually. Especially the “let me phone a friend” for my reply. Where is a good candidate when we need one? Personally, I am looking at folks that have not been influenced by service in the Alabama legislature. That place seems to drag folks down.
If only there were a bipartisan problem solver running. Say someone who’s been a successful mayor in the largest city in the district.
Q: What do Bobby Bright and Jay Love have in common?
A: MATRIX got them elected against true conservative Republicans (Emory Folmar and Bob McKee)
#13 Anonymous,
Who cares?
For all the comments about them, I’ll just assume MATRIX is earning their retainer.
Regarding “true conservative Republicans” — we sure do need some more of those around Montgomery. Real trend setters. Let’s all thank Emory for helping them blaze toward the east side with some 9 foot ceilings, wall-to-wall carpet, and three different house designs. Go boys.
Is this site now nothing more than a consultant’s playground? I love the buzz-words and sound-bytes in some of these posts.
Matrix is awfully good – no doubt about that.
Blue Dog, Mayor Bobby “Not So” Bright will not win in District 2. It is a republican district. He should have saved his time, effort and money.
Bobby Bright can beat Love, Grimes, or any Montgomery-based candidate. If you can read a demographic chart, and note that Bright beat Scott Simmons two-to-one in Montgomery you must concede he can win this race.
He can win – but he will not. Remember that district 2 only covers a part of the city of Montgomery. plus, bobby bright, when running previously, did not have a big “D” by his name in a very republican district. McCain will win Alabama easily as will Jeff Sessions. Other folks with an “R” by their name in district 2 will reap the benefits.
Matrix wasn’t good enough to put a Dome in Birmingham
[...] Harri Anne Smith’s political consultant told the Parlor over the weekend that the Republican state senator would attend “at least two” of the three debates for CD-2 candidates sponsored by AARP, the National Federation of Independent Business, Troy University, and WSFA-TV. Turns out, she will attend exactly two but will skip Friday night’s televised debate because “she had a conflict Friday.” [...]
Bright has Anzalone: Love has Dax. If Anzalone goes up against Dax it is no contest – Bright wins.
If Anzalone goes up against Swinehart (Harri Anne Smith) it is tougher both demographically and in that swinehart is more competitive as a consultant than Dax, and the Wiregrass helps more for the GOP. Smith is stronger in the fall against Bright.
smith will not even debate dude. that makes her stronger?
Well, of all the people that’s running for this office ,Bright is more quaified for the job .He’s a good leader and knows how to get things done.He’s helped build Montgomery better than the last administration He’s a true solid man.He believes that’s the way it ought to be.He is a real leader.I know that as a fact.
Just wait til Bright puts the lead in his pants .You will see who is best man for Congress.And that ’s no bull either.
I think you are right there upscale I’m sure there will be some party changes just to put him in office.He is a man to do the job.Also as i’ve heard others say ,he knows how to get things done.He’s proven it already.He goes for what he thinks the people need.In other words ,He’s for the people not just the office.You can’t say that aboutmost other candidates now days.
I know Bobby Bright well and can assure you that he will make the people of 02 proud. He is definitely a good man who conducts himself in a very professional manner at all times. He is deserving of being elected to this job. He’ll fight to keep the 02 farmers and military alike both strong and congressionally funded, thats for sure! Support him for this position and you’ll be proud of him just as I will be.
Is this the same Bobby Bright that raised sales tax in Montgomery from 8% to 10%?
IT’the same Bobby Bright That the city council helped raise the taxes.You
talked like he did it by his self.I’M sure that they seen fit to do just that or it wouldn’t have havened, also he’s been voted back to office twice since.He doesn’t enjoy taxes like you may think.AS you may know everything has to be paid for and it doesn’t get that way standing still.I’sure that a few pennies here and there hasn’t hurt
any one ,but to hear you and every body else talk ,it came from only your pocket and some couldn’teven pay for a set rotton goose eggs,but belive me they would be standing there if waiting for their hands outs if they were given any thing.THat’s one thing that’s wrong with the world/Everyone expecting handouts.