What did you think of the Cardin/Steele debate on MTP today?

[jenmito]

I thought Steele, as usual, was trying to be smooth and personable, but on substance, he was lacking. He was skit-skattin' around most of the questions, even calling one asking him if he would've voted against any of the Supreme Court justices a "gotcha question." He tried to avoid whether or not he would've voted for the Iraq resolution knowing what he knows now, he claimed he doesn't know enough to say whether or not he'd be against IVF clinics since blastocysts are destroyed, and he pretended to like Russert's idea to get a bumper sticker saying "Steele Republican" just like the one he already has saying "Steele Democrat". He kept trying to ask Cardin questions like, "Oh, so you want to impeach the president" and when Cardin answered he didn't SAY that, he quickly changed his question to, "Oh, so you'd step away from your party and be AGAINST impeachment"? He kept trying to distance himself from Bush and the Repubs. but after the video was played of him at the '04 Repub. convention, he laughed, "OK, you outed me. I'm a Republican." He was clearly trying to hide how conservative he really is. Cardin is a more boring candidate, but seems more of a solid guy. His postions were clear and seemed more in line with MD voters. I hope the voters see that.

[BamaLefty]

1. Are Cardin and Gore brothers?

Honestly, if this race wasn't in Maryland and there wasn't a heavy anti-GOP wave... Cardin would be beaten badly.

He's going to win, but he appears to be a very weak candidate. O'Malley is much stronger IMO.

[Frances]

4. One of the things Cardin has going for him is that he

is running to replace Sarbanes, whose personality was very similar to Cardin's. However, Sarbanes was known for his integrity. Sarbames first won in 1976 and didn't have to spend much money at all to keep getting re-elected. That said, I won't relax until Cardin has been declared winner.

[LA lady]

5. I am glad I don't live there

Cardin is annoying for some reason. he is leading well, isn't he?

[BamaLefty]

6. He appears to have a

fairly commanding lead.

http://uselectionatlas.org/POLLS/GOVERNOR/2006/polls.php?fips=16

[Divine Discontent]

9. ugh

horrible site... bad graphics. and what's with the colors being flip flopped (red = dem blue = rep)?

anyhow, www.electoral-vote.com is still the best site I've ever seen. one of the networks (cbs?) has a good one also for the election.


www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Cardin is a very solid, smart man

Yes, he seems boring, but he's actually a pretty nice guy. He's a solid Democrat with solid Democratic positions (as is true for everyone, he's not 100% and has had a few clinkers) that appeal in Maryland.

We were very fortunate in our primary this year. We had a choice between a great Democrat and an excellent Democrat - Cardin vs Mfume. You could assign one of the adjectives to one of them and the other adjective to the other and it wouldn't matter who; they both fit both labels. We 'won' the primary even if the guy we voted for lost.

[mitchtv]

2. "Steele Liar"

he certainly took a lot more time than Cardin, and potato head was a lot tougher on Cardin. You are right on the obfuscation attempts, I just hope people were listening to the content.

[donco6]

3. I agree with your assessment.

Steele really got wrapped up with dealing with stem cells. He's against embryonic stem cell research because it "destroys a child" but then he said he didn't support a constitutional amendment against abortion. Why? I mean, if you're going to claim life begins at conception, at least be consistent fer God's sake. He looked like a fool there. Cardin wisely kept silent.

Steele also tried to goad Cardin into a one-on-one debate, which Cardin didn't fall for. I thought overall, Cardin came off as more knowledgeable and professional, while Steele came off as the flip flopper.

[stopbush]

8. I hadn't seen much of Steele and was worried that he would come off

great.

Not to worry. He really made a lot of mistakes in the debate. It was especially disastrous to hound Cardin about
"where's your plan?", then, cardin would offer a reasonable plan which Steele pooh-poohed. When Russet asked
Steele what HIS plan was, he talked in circles and said absolutely nothing. I was really surprised by that. I thought
he was maybe baiting Cardin & Russet so he could launch into a well-thought-out plan of his own, but he
had absolutely nothing at all to say.

And, yes, Steele really looked bad on stem cells and the bumper sticker issue.

[jenmito]

10. So was I...

I was worried he'd come off great (just because of his "smoothness.") But I don't think his attempts worked just like you said. He kept talking and quizzing Cardin but when it was HIS turn he was a flip-flop-flipper. I'm sure the voters will see through him, no matter WHAT color the voter is.