I debated the GOP candidate for Congress from my district today

[Generic Other]

I faced off against a Nader supporter and a Repub candidate running for Congress in my district in a debate sponsored by the College Repubs at my school today. I was nervous going in, because I'm just an opinionated DUer and was only invited because the Repubs had to find someone to debate.

Well, I shouldn't have worried. THEY GOT NOTHING.

All the Repubs ever do is talk about cutting social programs, cutting taxes, etc. etc.

The questions posed were absurd--all money issues totally stupid. Pretty much his whole platform was "Cut more taxes, dump public transportation, public education, etc. etc." He called me a socialist about 20 times! A socialist for saying the rich should pay their fair share of taxes. I mean really! The guy was so pathetic I can't believe that was the best the GOP could do in this state. NO wonder our Congressman doesn't bother to campaign locally. That Repub couldn't win an election running unopposed.

My favorite part was when he was talking about WINNING the war in Iraq. A bunch of Repub clones started hooting Jerry Springer style. I got up right after and reminded them to come to my office and pick up copies of the recruitment forms after the debate. The audience cheered and applauded me! Must have been a few Dem shills in there. Ha Ha.

I quoted Repubs repeatedly when it was my turn. The Colin Powel "If you break it, you buy it" quote about Iraq; B*sh's own statements about it being easier to live in a dictatorship as long as he could be the dictator; Jeb Bush's dream of the halls of government being as empty as ghost towns...Kill 'em with their own words!

That was fun.

Feeling rather proud of myself. People have been telling me I won all day. This might go to my head. :)

[cynatnite]

1. Any chance this was televised?

Congrats on a job well done!

[Generic Other]

6. Gack! No cameras

This was a school club sponsored event. Maybe a hundred people or so.

I was so nervous, but there must have been a few good guys there because I saw people encouraging me.

That Repub was trying to convince people that they were on welfare for going to state colleges! Unreal. At a community college.

[NDFan]

11. Unbelievable.

Is there any chance he could lose? :puke:

[LoZoccolo]

2. How was the Nader supporter?

Same-old same-old?

[Generic Other]

8. I agree with many of their positions

I just don't happen to agree with their choice of a candidate or their characterization of me as somehow no different than Bush.

I don't know. The Repub guy seemed to think I was a little left of the Naderite.

[senseandsensibility]

3. The average DUer knows much more than

the average talking head or politician (especially a repuke politician). I'm glad you had the facts to confront these losers, and I love your line about recruitment forms! You did us proud!

[Sperk]

4. Congrats! Bet it felt good!

:toast:

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Just another Dem whomping a Puke in a debate....

Nothing new. But congrats on doing such a great job!! Wish I could have been there. :yourock:

[goclark]

7. Congratulations!

You have been well trained at DU!

[never cry wolf]

9. Awesome!

Not to denigrate your personal debating skills or knowledge in the least, but hardcore bush rebukes? Fish. Barrel. Shoot.

Great job, my hat's off to you!

:toast:

[DeepModem Mom]

10. You rock, GO!

[NDFan]

12. Great job!

Sounds like you more than held your own.

I know how you feel. Some people have their own reality.

[billyoc]

13. Excellent work!

"Feeling rather proud of myself. People have been telling me I won all day. This might go to my head."

As well you should. Remember that the next time you see this cretin running unopposed. ;)

[Generic Other]

18. He's running against Norm Dicks

but the GOP candidate couldn't win even if he WAS running unopposed.

[dorktv]

14. Why was your congressperson not there to debate the

guy? At the very least it would give regular people a chance to meet the congressperson.

[Generic Other]

16. The incumbent Dem won the primary by a landslide

No need to debate a moran to get votes.

[0rganism]

15. He called you a socialist? Isn't that a bit "ad hom"?

I mean, you weren't actually proposing to nationalize all means of production on behalf of the proletariate, were you?

Just one time, I'd like to see a debate between a republican and a REAL Socialist, who'd blow their fragile minds with concepts of class warfare and petty burgeoisie and the inevitable uprising of the workers against the capitalist exploiters... Just Once!

But "socialism" has been pushed to the rhetorical fringes of public discourse, where they've been trying to put "liberal" for the past 20-odd years. It's quite a loss, even when considered only from the point of view of diversity of opinion.

[Generic Other]

17. I guess he didn't want to call me a "Roosian Red"?

Ha Ha.