live blogging the TX-Sen Debate

missing the first question to Noriega (0.00 / 0)

Rick would have voted against the bailout

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 19:53:55 PM CDT

my response time is sketchy (0.00 / 0)

Schick gets a one minute rebuttal.

Cornyn says he can't stand by and watch the house burn.

Schick: the more the government spends, the less we have.  Stop nation building.  War is a money pit

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 19:55:46 PM CDT

Next question (0.00 / 0)

Economic stabilization:  Why were such extrodinary efforts necessary, and how do we pay for it

Schick:  Government mismanagement.  Free market was stepped away from, and we can't keep spending, creating new programs.

Noriega rebuttal:  Pay as you go policymaker in his career in the TX Lege.  Thinks Washington should go to that system

Cornyn: agrees with Schick that spending is out of control.  Sponsored a Sunset Commission at the Washington level.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 19:58:15 PM CDT

Foreign affairs question (0.00 / 0)

Is anybody ever going to be accountable for torture?

Cornyn: Disagrees with Noriega about FISA.  Says it would be unilaterally disarming.

Schick: Strongly oppose torture.  Surveilance report is not used against just suspected terrorists.

Noriega: Cornyn supported Gonzalez's stance on torture.  As a soldier, I recognize that if we torture, we are subjected to it.


We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:00:50 PM CDT

Nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists? (0.00 / 0)

Shick: terrorists are like fire ants.  If you want them out, you treat your yard, not your neighbors.  Support our troops by bringhing them home alive.  Plans for peace.  Trade is a path to peace.

Rick: Served in the mountains in afghanistan.  We didn't finish our job there, and now pakistan is getting out of control

Cornyn: deny safe haven to terrorists.  Faults Noriega for opposing the Surge.

Russian Question:  Is russia a threat
Rick: failure in foreign policy is destabilizing places.  Russia is acting irresponsibly.  Use UN Troops to help.  Need to regain the trust of the international community.  Need new leadership that can be trusted to not act in haste.

Cornyn:  russia is too aggressive because it is so rich with oil and gas revenue because america won't domestically produce our own energy.  

Schick: Work to end alliances and treaties that no longer serve the best interests of the US.  We are putting ourselves in danger by getting involved.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:05:34 PM CDT

Immigration reform (0.00 / 0)

Cornyn: supported comprehensive immigration reform, but wouldn't vote for one that wouldn't be enforced.  His amendments tried to fix this, but a lack of will on the part of Congress made it fail.  Knows Noriega will disagree.  

Noriega: Only US Senator who served on the border, if elected.  Need Comprehensive immigration reform that increases visas, but tracks them

Schick: Need to secure our borders, but with a path to immigration for those who want to work.  Not to give services to people who are here illegally.

Should illegal immigrants be required to leave the company?  Sanctions for companies who hire?

Noriega: thinks it's an unworkable solution to require them to leave.  Must pay fines, learn english, be good citizens.  

Cornyn: tried to offer bipartisan solutions that do not repeat the mistakes in 1986.

Schick: end birthright citizenship (Just lost any chance of my vote, BTW)

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:10:03 PM CDT

Independent Special prosecutor for USA firings? (0.00 / 0)

Schick: Yes.

Rick: Yes.  restore trust in government.

Cornyn: No.  no more lawyers and lawsuits.  Politics shouldn't be mixed up in the prosecution of crime.  

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:11:27 PM CDT

Health care: Medicare for everybody? (0.00 / 0)

Rick: proposed a plan to increase access to healthcare.  Cover children.  Points out Cornyns votes against SCHIP.  Negotiation for lower drug prices.

Cornyn: String of misreprentations: wonders if Noriega's nose is growing.
Fraud in Medicare-needs to be reformed.  

Schick: we can't afford it.  Free market options.  Let the insurance companies provide help, let the charities pick up the slack.

Healthcare Plan that Taxes Employer paid health care?

Cornyn: plan I provide would help lower prices.  Let individuals figure it out, not the government.  Expensive, beaurocratic, and rationing.  

Noriega: Texas should be the model, according to Cornyn.  How many kids are uninsured?  Can't allow HMOs and insurance companies who  contribute to Cornyn, to set the rules

Schick: free market free market freemarket

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:16:13 PM CDT

How does texas pay for the cost of new programs covering children (0.00 / 0)

Schick: we can't afford it.  You have to stop.  Let people have more of their own money, they can donate to charities.

Noriega: Allow the government to negotiate drug prices, and that will save money we can use to insure children.

Cornyn: You've been 10 years in the TX Lege, but how did you allow that many children to go uncovered?  They are eligible, but aren't covered.  

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:18:07 PM CDT

Station identification. Next question, Government Spending (0.00 / 0)

VP Business: Joe BIden says it's patriotic to pay taxes.  Do you agree?

Cornyn: I disagree with the way he put it.  It's the law to pay your taxes.  The only way to pay for the programs the libruls want is to raise taxes, and that depresses the economy.

Schick:  Never connect patriotism with taxes.  It's an insult.

Noriega: Cornyn's vision has been tax and borrow.  Largest increase in deficit under Cornyn.  Pay as you go is the way to go.  If you don't have the money, don't buy it.

Question: State & Fed support of psychiatric care.

Schick: Limits to the government involvement.  They should not be mandated, and are not affordable.

Noriega: Mental health is part of Health Care.  It's not a separate issue.  Cornyn has voted to cut benefits to veterans.  PTSD.

Cornyn: I hope people will look for more exhaustive answers on my website.  Mental Health Parity Act in the bailout that Noriega would have voted against.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:22:49 PM CDT

Social Security crisis (0.00 / 0)

Noriega: Quit robbing SS to fund other things.  Protect Social Security.

Cornyn: Fact is that Noreiga is wrong about his record.  Voted to stop the raid on SS.  

Schick:  Need to stop raiding the fund to put in the general fund.  Stop federal funding.  

QUestion: Constitutional issues.  Gun show sales of assault wepons.  Close the loophole?

Schick: no.  Constitutional right to bear arms.  

Noriega: Support the 2nd Amendment.  States should determine.

Cornyn: Support the 2nd amendment.  Background checks are appropriate.  Texas Exile program?

Question:  USA PATRIOT Act: Overturn?

Rick: Revisit the act.  The knee jerk response (like the bailout) makes for hasty decisions.

Cornyn: Agreed, until he talked about Cornyn.  Making tough decisions, not just getting angry and throwing rocks.  Back to bailout.

Schick:  the terrorists won, we have taken away our own freedoms.  Think it should be repealed.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:28:13 PM CDT

Fairness Doctrine. Support it? (0.00 / 0)

Cornyn: Who dreams up these names?  It's all about forcing people to evade their first amendment right.  Overreaction by folks on the left about how many people listen to talk radio.

Schick:  No government reguloation that requires or restricts the freedom of speech and expression.  Idea police.

Rick: Support the first amendment.  Journalism Shield law should have been supported by the Senator.  

We have extra time.  Wildcard round.

Question to Noriega:  War On Drugs, do we reverse course?
Not in favor of legalized drugs.  Worked on the border, saw lots of damage to the society there.  Health care reform should help substance abuse.  

Rebuttals: Cornyn:  Not disagreeing with anything Noriega says.  Should not legalize drugs. Spent his career in law enforcement.  

Schick: End the war on drugs.  Dealers can get to our children because there is a black market.  Prohibition of drugs doesn't work, in the same way that prohibition of alcohol didn't work.

Question to Cornyn: Earmarks--you have LOTS.  How do you reconcile that with the bailout?
Support a moratorium on earmarks.  Would use a lot of Texas Sunshine to reform the FOI laws.  Transparency would help.

Schick rebuttal: Too easy of a target to attack.  the insanity is obvious.  Slash government spending

Noriega: against earmarks.  Bailout has too many sweeteners, and I would not have voted for it.


We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:35:23 PM CDT

PUblic Finance of campaigns? (0.00 / 0)

Schick: No.  

Noriega: Yes.  Get the money out of politics, particularly the judiciary.  Public funding of judicial races are important.

Cornyn: Proud of the number of contributors I have.  Slam on Noriega's out-of-state fundraising

Question:  Considered that Barack Obama in the Lincoln Bedroom?

WTF?

Question: Barr is the Libertarian candidate.
Agree with / Disagree with?

Schick: agree with his agreement about slashing funding.  Disagree with him about how he handled Ron Paul.  Missed Opportunity.

Question to Cornyn: Mexico diplomacy
Squash the drug kingpins in Mexico.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:39:36 PM CDT

Closing statements (4.00 / 2)

Schick: Thanks for including me in the debate.  Not invited to the next one yet.  Bailout is bad.  I'm a businesswoman, and the govt. isn't going to bail me out.  I promise to return our nation to be free and prosperous.

Cornyn: thanks for sponsoring, and profoundly honored to serve for the last six years.  Representing texas values in Washington.  Sometimes leadership calls for hard decisions.  Continue to do my best to make washington more like Texas.

Noriega: Thanks everybody.  People of the state of TExas: are you better off today than you were six years ago?
I have fought for texas as a legislator, as a businessman, and a father.  Represented you abroad and at home.  Need leadership here and at home.  I humbly ask for your vote.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:42:41 PM CDT

Closing Wrap Up (0.00 / 0)

wow.  that was fast.  Love how on time the LWV is.

My hands are tired...sorry about the spelling.

Any thoughts?

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:43:47 PM CDT

Noriega and one of the panelists "fist bump" (0.00 / 0)

cool.

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:45:18 PM CDT

I'm so glad you did this!!! (4.00 / 1)

I couldn't get my wireless connection to work-in my freakin' living room!!!

SCCS rocks!!!

Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

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by: boadicea @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 20:54:47 PM CDT

Cut it closer than I hoped (0.00 / 0)

I was on the phone with my sister until the last minute, and so I wasn't really set up with the notebook until they had already started talking.  That was quite a ride...
I think Rick really held his own, and it was pretty apparent that Cornyn was twitchy.  The suit he had on looked awful on my screen.  But Rick looked great, and Schick looked fairly decent (I would have scrapped the pearls, myself).  Did Corny not check what his suit would look like?  Was it green?

I'm glad I got to do this.  I have a new appreciation for live blogging, and I listened to the debate in a totally different way (which is why I'm so interested in other people's reaction to it).

Whew!

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 21:50:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks for doing this (4.00 / 1)

I was following you on my phone and DYING to comment but I couldn't. I thought Rick did GREAT! There is a good write-up in the Chronicle today.

Barnett Shale: An Insatiable Thirst

My blog Bluedaze

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by: TXsharon @ Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 08:36:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Media Coverage Links: (4.00 / 1)

Houston Chronicle
Austin-American Statesman
Dallas Morning News

Please chime in with other links as you find them!

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 09:07:00 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Link from AP (through Statesman) (4.00 / 1)

Associated Press Feed

We have to become the leaders we seek.
-boadicea
There is not a sport invented that matches Texas politics for contact, blood or gratuitous violence.
-Harvey Kronberg

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by: sccs @ Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 11:06:44 AM CDT

[ Parent ]