Bachmann Wins First Debate
I was fortunate enough to make the first Bachmann-Wetterling-Binkowski debate here at the St. Cloud Whitney Senior Center. First, let me lay out the format for the debate. Each candidate was allotted a two-minute opening statement, followed by four fundamental questions from KSTP-TV political reporter Tom Hauser. After those opening questions, Mr. Hauser switched to questions submitted in writing from the audience. I talked with
King after the debate & we guesstimated the audience to be in excess of 400 people.
The first impression that hit me was Patty Wetterling's opening statement, which was written out ahead of time. It was visible to the naked eye that Mrs. Wetterling was reading her opening statement off a sheet of paper. Part of Mrs. Wetterling's opening statement was pure Democratic talking points, citing rising gas prices. (Gas prices have dropped almost a dollar in the past month. MAJOR OOPS there.) Mrs. Wetterling's opening statement stood in stark contrast to Sen. Bachmann's opening statement, which was clearly communicated without notes or aids and came from the heart. That it came from the heart seemed to impact the audience.
Another unmistakeable impression was that Patty Wetterling would require substantial on-the-job training with several issues. Asked about Medicare/Medicaid, she started by saying that we needed to keep funding it, then saying "I've got a statistic here", then pausing for 3-4 seconds before starting back up. I don't recall the statistic because she lost me when she couldn't even talk fluently on a supposedly Democratic issue.
Michele Bachmann's answer effectively laid to rest the Devil in a blue dress image that Tarryl Clark tried cultivating. Michele talked about the clinic she and her husband run, employing 30 people, raising 5 children and 23 foster children, saying that some of her foster children had disabilities. The goal of Medicaid is to "mainstream these people" as much as possible. Michele also noted that Minnesota is a leader in training people with disabilities so they can be self-sufficient. Sen. Bachmann said that mainstreaming people with disabilities as much as possible was the "human, loving thing to do."
Independence Party candidate John Binkowski said that maintaining the Medicare/Medicaid system as is was important, then spent the rest of his time explaining that demographics tell us that that isn't possible, finishing by saying that "We'll likely have to raise the age of Medicare eligibility." I can't imagine that went over well with the senior citizens and baby boomers in the audience. Binkowski essentially talked himself in circles. Not a distinguishing moment for him.
Q2. Transportation and accessability for people with disabilities.
Binkowski talked about the 3-highway bottleneck in the Cities, saying that we need LRT and a good public transportation system. He also talked about weaning us off of gas, especially foreign oil.
Mrs. Wetterling said that we have to invest more in LRT now so it doesn't cost more later. She also took a shot at Sen. Bachmann, saying that Sen. Bachmann once called LRT a "black hole." She finished by saying that Minnesotans were paying $50 a week for gas. I don't know how accurate that figure is, though. Color me a little skeptical right now.
Sen. Bachmann said we need more bridges, roads intersections, transit and a "cost-effective transportation system." Sen. Bachmann also was the only candidate that brought up expanding St. Cloud's regional airport.
There was a followup on LRT, with Sen. Bachmann stating that LRT from Big Lake to St. Cloud not being cost effective, Wetterling saying that we should pay for it now since it'll eventually be coming.
Q3. Welfare to work.
Sen. Bachmann said that the best system is to give states as much local control as possible. She said that she'd fight for that flexibility and that she wouldn't have a problem with block grants to individuals so they can make decisions. Also, "There's too many federal legislators want to make decisions that should be made locally."
Mrs. Wetterling talked about TANF, citing how it worked for a friend of hers. She also said that each of us is "one serious illness away from bankruptcy", no boubt an attempt to sell the Dems' healthcare agenda.
Binkowski said Independance Party core principle was to return as much decision-making to the local level. Finally something I agreed with him on.
Q4. Bush tax cuts:
Binkowski: Making Bush tax cuts permanent is as insane as making tax increases permanent. Odd answer. He's trying to triangulate too much. Advocates making the Fair Tax the law of the land and abolishing the IRS.
Wetterling: Wouldn't make tax cuts permanent but she would repeal tax cuts on anyone making $337,000/yr. Touted her middle class tax cut plan. Either way, it's still a tax increase.
Sen. Bachmann: would make Bush tax cuts permanent, eliminate the estate tax & the AMT, then saying that the economy is in great shape, citing the fact that not raising the state tax is the reason for Minnesota creating 10% of all new U.S. jobs in the past 2 months. Sen. Bachmann also cited Minnesota 3.7% unemployment rate. Very, upbeat positive answer, though the Wetterling crowd booed her saying she'd make Bush tax cuts permanent.
Q5. Most important issue:
Mrs. Wetterling: Safe communities. No true homeland security without safe communities. Mentions law enforcement endorsements. Talks alot about first responders.
Mr. Binkowski: Election reform. He's all for term limits, too. Odd answer especially considering the true life & death issue of terrorism.
Sen. Bachmann: National security. "Terrorists have declared their intentions and they haven't changed." Their goal is "a world without a United States and without Israel." Also, securing our borders would be high Bachmann priority. That drew the loudest applause of the night, with well over three-fourths of the room applauding.
(Personal observation: Sen. Bachmann seems to be getting stronger as the night goes on. She's clearly a strong debater in command of the issues.)
Renewable Energy:
Sen. Bachmann: Minnesota a leader in renewables and ethanol, biodiesel. We'll be dependant on oil in the near term.
Binkowski: Turn empty Ford plant into wind turbine farm. We need to wean ourselves of oil, especially foreign oil. Mentions "Manhattan Project for energy" without mentioning details.
Mrs. Wetterling: wants to tighten up CAFE standards & reduce emissions. Typical Democratic talking points.
Universal health care:
Mrs. Wetterling: We can't just go from present to universal in one step. She's proposing a three-step plan to take us to universal care. Child health care most important, most affordable. She also talked about re-importation of drugs and about the need to fight "big pharmaceuticals". Does she ever deviate from Democratic agenda? I'm beginning to think not.
Binkowski: is against universal care, then talks about teaching people, starting with kids, about healthy lifestyles.
Sen. Bachmann: free market system the best in the world. Wew have the best R & D in the world. Biosciences strong in Minnesota. We need more states like that. We need "small business plan" so they can pool together to get better rates like big corporations.
Q. Mental health parity:
Mrs. Wetterling and Mr. Binkowski said they were for it. Sen. Bachmann gave the most detailed answer, talking about their clinic, employing 30 psychologists and psychiatrists. Government mandates have unintended consequence of driving up health care costs. Sen. Bachmann says that she's still studying the issue but she is open to the goal of mental health parity.
Term limits
All are for them. Sen. Bachmann says that the best term limits come at the ballot box, citing her defeating a longterm incumbent 61-39 in her first run for office.
What can we do to get out of Iraq soon?
Binkowski: We've gotta get out soon. Iraq is divisive; a blight on our national tradition.
Mrs. Wetterling: Proposed getting out of Iraq over a year ago, hoping that they'd be out by this Thanksgiving. We need to get out "so we can fight the real war on terror." Democratic talking points central; doesn't deviate from that script.
Sen. Bachmann: "The terrorists have declared war on us and their intent hasn't changed." "Four weeks ago, terrorists tried blowing up twelve planes over the Atlantic."
Closing Statements:
Mrs. Wetterling: "I've worked with three different presidents (Bush 41, Clinton, W). I know how to get things done." We can do better.
Binkowski: Both opponents' campaigns run out of Washington. Democrats preach against the corporations we need to sustain the economy; Republicans sow fear." "Republicans want us cowering in fear inside the house."
Sen. Bachmann: "My brother's serving in the Navy in the Gulf right now. I'll guarantee that he isn't cowering in fear while he's protecting us from Muslim extremists."
Final Analysis: Sen. Bachmann will benefit from this event, which was well-attended. Her answers about securing our borders and fighting "Islamic extremists" played well, getting the strongest responses of the night.
King Banaian and I talked afterward about Binkowski and our consensus is that he's in over his head, especially against Sen. Bachmann. His cheapshot at Sen. Bachmann backfired when she said that her brother wasn't cowering in fear serving in the Navy. I thought that Patty Wetterling looked ok but too many of her answers were typical Democratic talking points tonight. Some connected with the audience, most didn't.bb Special Mention: I thought that Tom Hauser did a great job of keeping things moving but also letting the audience express their pleasure or displeasure with the various answers. To say that it's a difficult balancing act is understatement but Mr. Hauser did a fine job with that. If there are more debates here in St. Cloud, I'd hope that Tom hosts them.
KSTP-TV released a poll showing Sen. Bachmann with a 50-41 lead over Mrs. Wetterling. Here's the KSTP article:
Originally posted Monday, September 18, 2006, revised 19-Sep 2:36 AM
August 2006 Posts
Comment 1 by Eva Young at 19-Sep-06 08:43 AM
Comment 2 by Russell at 19-Sep-06 10:13 AM
Comment 3 by shad at 22-Sep-06 04:23 PM
Comment 4 by Gary Gross at 23-Sep-06 10:09 AM
Comment 5 by Eva Young at 23-Sep-06 10:56 PM
Comment 6 by shad at 24-Sep-06 07:44 PM
The first impression that hit me was Patty Wetterling's opening statement, which was written out ahead of time. It was visible to the naked eye that Mrs. Wetterling was reading her opening statement off a sheet of paper. Part of Mrs. Wetterling's opening statement was pure Democratic talking points, citing rising gas prices. (Gas prices have dropped almost a dollar in the past month. MAJOR OOPS there.) Mrs. Wetterling's opening statement stood in stark contrast to Sen. Bachmann's opening statement, which was clearly communicated without notes or aids and came from the heart. That it came from the heart seemed to impact the audience.
Another unmistakeable impression was that Patty Wetterling would require substantial on-the-job training with several issues. Asked about Medicare/Medicaid, she started by saying that we needed to keep funding it, then saying "I've got a statistic here", then pausing for 3-4 seconds before starting back up. I don't recall the statistic because she lost me when she couldn't even talk fluently on a supposedly Democratic issue.
Michele Bachmann's answer effectively laid to rest the Devil in a blue dress image that Tarryl Clark tried cultivating. Michele talked about the clinic she and her husband run, employing 30 people, raising 5 children and 23 foster children, saying that some of her foster children had disabilities. The goal of Medicaid is to "mainstream these people" as much as possible. Michele also noted that Minnesota is a leader in training people with disabilities so they can be self-sufficient. Sen. Bachmann said that mainstreaming people with disabilities as much as possible was the "human, loving thing to do."
Independence Party candidate John Binkowski said that maintaining the Medicare/Medicaid system as is was important, then spent the rest of his time explaining that demographics tell us that that isn't possible, finishing by saying that "We'll likely have to raise the age of Medicare eligibility." I can't imagine that went over well with the senior citizens and baby boomers in the audience. Binkowski essentially talked himself in circles. Not a distinguishing moment for him.
Q2. Transportation and accessability for people with disabilities.
Binkowski talked about the 3-highway bottleneck in the Cities, saying that we need LRT and a good public transportation system. He also talked about weaning us off of gas, especially foreign oil.
Mrs. Wetterling said that we have to invest more in LRT now so it doesn't cost more later. She also took a shot at Sen. Bachmann, saying that Sen. Bachmann once called LRT a "black hole." She finished by saying that Minnesotans were paying $50 a week for gas. I don't know how accurate that figure is, though. Color me a little skeptical right now.
Sen. Bachmann said we need more bridges, roads intersections, transit and a "cost-effective transportation system." Sen. Bachmann also was the only candidate that brought up expanding St. Cloud's regional airport.
There was a followup on LRT, with Sen. Bachmann stating that LRT from Big Lake to St. Cloud not being cost effective, Wetterling saying that we should pay for it now since it'll eventually be coming.
Q3. Welfare to work.
Sen. Bachmann said that the best system is to give states as much local control as possible. She said that she'd fight for that flexibility and that she wouldn't have a problem with block grants to individuals so they can make decisions. Also, "There's too many federal legislators want to make decisions that should be made locally."
Mrs. Wetterling talked about TANF, citing how it worked for a friend of hers. She also said that each of us is "one serious illness away from bankruptcy", no boubt an attempt to sell the Dems' healthcare agenda.
Binkowski said Independance Party core principle was to return as much decision-making to the local level. Finally something I agreed with him on.
Q4. Bush tax cuts:
Binkowski: Making Bush tax cuts permanent is as insane as making tax increases permanent. Odd answer. He's trying to triangulate too much. Advocates making the Fair Tax the law of the land and abolishing the IRS.
Wetterling: Wouldn't make tax cuts permanent but she would repeal tax cuts on anyone making $337,000/yr. Touted her middle class tax cut plan. Either way, it's still a tax increase.
Sen. Bachmann: would make Bush tax cuts permanent, eliminate the estate tax & the AMT, then saying that the economy is in great shape, citing the fact that not raising the state tax is the reason for Minnesota creating 10% of all new U.S. jobs in the past 2 months. Sen. Bachmann also cited Minnesota 3.7% unemployment rate. Very, upbeat positive answer, though the Wetterling crowd booed her saying she'd make Bush tax cuts permanent.
Q5. Most important issue:
Mrs. Wetterling: Safe communities. No true homeland security without safe communities. Mentions law enforcement endorsements. Talks alot about first responders.
Mr. Binkowski: Election reform. He's all for term limits, too. Odd answer especially considering the true life & death issue of terrorism.
Sen. Bachmann: National security. "Terrorists have declared their intentions and they haven't changed." Their goal is "a world without a United States and without Israel." Also, securing our borders would be high Bachmann priority. That drew the loudest applause of the night, with well over three-fourths of the room applauding.
(Personal observation: Sen. Bachmann seems to be getting stronger as the night goes on. She's clearly a strong debater in command of the issues.)
Renewable Energy:
Sen. Bachmann: Minnesota a leader in renewables and ethanol, biodiesel. We'll be dependant on oil in the near term.
Binkowski: Turn empty Ford plant into wind turbine farm. We need to wean ourselves of oil, especially foreign oil. Mentions "Manhattan Project for energy" without mentioning details.
Mrs. Wetterling: wants to tighten up CAFE standards & reduce emissions. Typical Democratic talking points.
Universal health care:
Mrs. Wetterling: We can't just go from present to universal in one step. She's proposing a three-step plan to take us to universal care. Child health care most important, most affordable. She also talked about re-importation of drugs and about the need to fight "big pharmaceuticals". Does she ever deviate from Democratic agenda? I'm beginning to think not.
Binkowski: is against universal care, then talks about teaching people, starting with kids, about healthy lifestyles.
Sen. Bachmann: free market system the best in the world. Wew have the best R & D in the world. Biosciences strong in Minnesota. We need more states like that. We need "small business plan" so they can pool together to get better rates like big corporations.
Q. Mental health parity:
Mrs. Wetterling and Mr. Binkowski said they were for it. Sen. Bachmann gave the most detailed answer, talking about their clinic, employing 30 psychologists and psychiatrists. Government mandates have unintended consequence of driving up health care costs. Sen. Bachmann says that she's still studying the issue but she is open to the goal of mental health parity.
Term limits
All are for them. Sen. Bachmann says that the best term limits come at the ballot box, citing her defeating a longterm incumbent 61-39 in her first run for office.
What can we do to get out of Iraq soon?
Binkowski: We've gotta get out soon. Iraq is divisive; a blight on our national tradition.
Mrs. Wetterling: Proposed getting out of Iraq over a year ago, hoping that they'd be out by this Thanksgiving. We need to get out "so we can fight the real war on terror." Democratic talking points central; doesn't deviate from that script.
Sen. Bachmann: "The terrorists have declared war on us and their intent hasn't changed." "Four weeks ago, terrorists tried blowing up twelve planes over the Atlantic."
Closing Statements:
Mrs. Wetterling: "I've worked with three different presidents (Bush 41, Clinton, W). I know how to get things done." We can do better.
Binkowski: Both opponents' campaigns run out of Washington. Democrats preach against the corporations we need to sustain the economy; Republicans sow fear." "Republicans want us cowering in fear inside the house."
Sen. Bachmann: "My brother's serving in the Navy in the Gulf right now. I'll guarantee that he isn't cowering in fear while he's protecting us from Muslim extremists."
Final Analysis: Sen. Bachmann will benefit from this event, which was well-attended. Her answers about securing our borders and fighting "Islamic extremists" played well, getting the strongest responses of the night.
King Banaian and I talked afterward about Binkowski and our consensus is that he's in over his head, especially against Sen. Bachmann. His cheapshot at Sen. Bachmann backfired when she said that her brother wasn't cowering in fear serving in the Navy. I thought that Patty Wetterling looked ok but too many of her answers were typical Democratic talking points tonight. Some connected with the audience, most didn't.bb Special Mention: I thought that Tom Hauser did a great job of keeping things moving but also letting the audience express their pleasure or displeasure with the various answers. To say that it's a difficult balancing act is understatement but Mr. Hauser did a fine job with that. If there are more debates here in St. Cloud, I'd hope that Tom hosts them.
KSTP-TV released a poll showing Sen. Bachmann with a 50-41 lead over Mrs. Wetterling. Here's the KSTP article:
In the election for Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, Republican Michele Bachmann edges DFL Candidate Patty Wetterling, 50 percent to 41 percent, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.Special note: Make sure & check King's roundup of the event, too.
Independence Party candidate John Binkowski would get five percent of the Nov. 7 vote, according to the poll.
Bachmann gets 89 percent of Republican votes. Wetterling gets 85 percent of Democrat votes. Independents would split their votes among the women, according to the poll.
Bachmann leads by 19 points among men. Wetterling leads by three points among women. Bachmann's lead comes entirely from voters under age 50. Voters over the age of 50 split their votes evenly. Bachmann leads by 70 points among conservatives. Wetterling leads by 62 points among liberals and by 19 points among moderates. Of those who approve of President George W. Bush's job performance, 87 percent choose Bachmann.
Of those who disapprove of Bush's job performance, 77 percent choose Wetterling. President Bush's job approval among likely voters in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District is 46 percent.
Incumbent three-term Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy is running for the U.S. Senate this year. His House seat is open. Wetterling lost to Kennedy by 8 points in 2004.
1,000 Registered Voters from Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, identified using Registration Based Sample from Aristotle International, were interviewed between Sept. 15 and Sept. 17. Of them, 641 were judged to be "likely voters."
The three candidates debated Monday night.
The Star Tribune outlined differences that were made clear during the debate:
On taxes, for example, Bachmann favors making all of President Bush's tax cuts permanent and also would push to eliminate the estate tax, the capital gains tax and the alternative minimum tax. Wetterling would not extend the Bush cuts as they apply to the highest income earners, but she has proposed a package of targeted tax breaks to help middle-class families buy homes and pay for college, the paper reported.
Binkowski wants to eliminate all income and payroll taxes and fund the government entirely with a 23 percent federal sales tax on all purchases.
On Iraq, Bachmann favors keeping U.S. troops on the ground, while Wetterling and Binkowski advocate withdrawing troops, according to the Star Tribune.
On abortion, Bachmann favors overturning Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion. Wetterling and Binkowski do not.
Originally posted Monday, September 18, 2006, revised 19-Sep 2:36 AM
August 2006 Posts
Comment 1 by Eva Young at 19-Sep-06 08:43 AM
I'm listening to the debate. It does not appear that Bachmann won. Her answer on transportation was problematic. She wants more lanes on 94, and doesn't commit to working for federal money for Northstar.
Larry Schumacher from the St Cloud Times reports that most of the crowd seemed supportive of Wetterling. I do think that a fair amount of Wetterling support is driven by wanting to stop Michele Bachmann rather than affirmative support of Wetterling. Patty Wetterling's challenge will be to make an affirmative case for support.
Comment 2 by Russell at 19-Sep-06 10:13 AM
Bachmann talks about the "human, loving thing to do."
Wouldn't the "human loving thing to do" with your employees at your mental health clinic is provide them with health care benefits? But Michele Bachmann and her husband provide NO health care benefits to their clinic employees. Nor to her campaign employees. What piece of crap employer doesn't provide some form of health benefits to their employees these days? Now we know.
Comment 3 by shad at 22-Sep-06 04:23 PM
It might be the biggest drop in history when Michelle Bachman who I was going to vote for has said no finding for the northstar. She cut the funds I will not vote for her. I am not trying to be mean but as one that cannot drive a car I need something like the rail line. It is my vote she will lose if she does not see this issue. Please tell Michele this is the thing she can lose on for me and all her christain values do not impress me if she forgets the poor and this is a vote on the poor people.
Shad
Comment 4 by Gary Gross at 23-Sep-06 10:09 AM
Shad, Michele's going to win going away. That you won't vote for her won't matter.
It's sad that you won't vote for her because of this but that's your right. Try taking the big picture into account. Consider the fact that she'll do everything she can to give the President the tools he need to prevent terrorist attacks. Consider the fact that she'll be steadfast in fighting global terrorists.
It seems to me that withholding your vote on that issue isn't a wise thing to do. It's just an emotional response to an important race.
Comment 5 by Eva Young at 23-Sep-06 10:56 PM
Bachmann's stand on Northstar is a fair issue to use when deciding on who to support. Bachmann's stance is different than Mark Kennedy's on this issue.
Comment 6 by shad at 24-Sep-06 07:44 PM
I agree with you GFary I just ask that we look at the northstar thing and see if there is not a way we can fund it. It is going to be a win for the people of this area to have northstar. It is a good thing to talk on. SO I ask you what is your thoughts on the train and giveing the disables folks. I want to win the war but I also think getting around the area is important to. We got money to do it lets get some for northstar and serve the people who need to ride there instead of theowing it away in places like mouments we do not need.
