This post is a perfect example of why I like Chap Petersen so much. He calls 'em like he sees 'em, and he gets 'em right 90% of the time (which is a lot better than MY batting average - lol). Also, I love Chap's sense of humor, as demonstrated by the headline, "Petersen Screams "You Lie!" During Debate, Is Escorted Out..." With that, here's an excerpt:1. Bob McDonell was nervous at the beginning and made some mis-statements. A couple I noted were "Virginia has a $5.5B deficit" (actually $1.3B for FY10) and Virginia has an economic future in "drinkable fuels" (what?) He then settled down into the smooth Bob McD we know and remember well from the House of Delegates.I agree with all that. I also agree that the "union-bashing is getting old," that ratings by advocacy groups "like those quoted by Bob on business issues, are inherently suspect," and that "[b]oth candidates avoided the issue of taxes." I can't comment on the "parking and access at Capital One" being "first-rate," since I watched the debate from home, but I'll take Chap's word for it. Ha.
2. Creigh was on the defensive on national issues from the get-go. For example, he made the point many times that he opposed the Democratic carbon emissions bill "as written." That's fine, but an aggressive explanation of the chance for renewables to lead Virginia job growth would have given the right contrast. But easy for me to say.
3. Bob stuck to the standard right-wing talking points, e.g. he said he "didn't believe in Federal mandates" on the environment. Which leads to the following question: where would this nation be without the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act? Or the Superfund cleanup legislation? Thank God that someone had more vision than that in an earlier era.
4. Bob got in a good jab on the issue of the transportation plan. If you didn't see that punch coming, then you haven't been paying attention for the past couple months.
5. Creigh was at his best at comparing their legislative records, especially towards the end of the debate. Creigh's record is what Bob now wants to talk about: job creation, land conservation and bipartisanship.
In all seriousness, it's very important for everyone to understand that even though Chap is to much of a gentleman to have screamed "you lie!" at Bob McDonnell earlier today, there was plenty of reason to do so. The fact is, Bob McDonnell's entire campaign is based on a fundamental falsehood, that he's a "moderate" focused on the economy, that his views on social issues have evolved significantly, etc. I mean, if you want to believe that Bob McDonnell the Pat Robertson Culture Warrior suddenly supports gay adoption, go for it, but I remain just a wee bit skeptical.
