Here we go. Looks like Im going to give up football for this debate. My gut instinct tells me that everything will be okay and that the panel will ask fair questions. I hope they do not prove me wrong. The whole debate is supposed to be available for viewing at KY3.com later this evening.

Opening statments:

Talent: Talent notes his accomplishments in congress. Impacts accomplishments. Notes values in common with SW Missouri voters (judges, gay marriage, endorsements by conservative organizations), notes Mc Caskill failures including meth scandle in office, notes Mc Caskill has not released personal taxes.

McCaskill: Starts off on the defensive. Mc Caskill says she won’t attack or respond, shifts about “tone in washington,” invokes Harry Truman. Talks about Truman’s questions being characterized as “unpatriotic.” Attacks Talent for not asking “hard questions” of war in Iraq. Gives example of Talent not “asking tough questions” says she is tough on security (HAHAHAH, thats rich).

David Catanese ask Mc Caskill a question about troops out of Iraq (do they both agree?).

McCaskill says she agrees troops need to be out of Iraq. Points out Talent supports war even without WMD. Points out Iraq didnt have WMD, but Iran and Korea do. Says there needs to be a change in Iraq. Says that Baker commision not releasing response until after election “politics as typical.” Again, invokes time table. (Note there is a distinction between changing tactics, staying on mission and appeasing our enemies by cutting and running).

Talent says wont agree, denotes what mission is (train Iraqi army, etc). Says we need to finish the job THEN come home. Must leave when Iraq can defend them selves. The alternative is to pull out before mission is complete. Impacts the point by noting that to leave will mean terrorist gain a foot hold there.

McCaskill gets rebuttal. Lies about Warner’s recent statement about “changing course.” Says that Warner is right. Says Iraq is not working and we are wasting money, lives.

Missy Shelton asks Talent why he is not advocating invading countries with WMD.

Talent repeats what the mission was and what type of threat Iraq was. Talent mentions that Saddam was an organic threat, Iran and North Korea can be dealt with diplomatically. Talent notes Claire’s support for appeasment.

McCaskill responds by pointing that Iraq PM supports hezbollah (didnt remember their name). Mc Caskill notes that the government is not for disarming militias. Re-iterates previous talking points. Says we have not taken note of problems with Iran and Korea. Says that we must look to alliances around the world solve problem with Iran and NK - not unilatterally (Just what does she think we are doing? She obviously is clueless on national security).

Talent says that the invasion did elminate terrorism that Iraq was sponsoring. (He didnt pick up that we are doing what claire said. HELLO.. SIX PARTY TALKS)

Tony Messenger ask Mc Caskill about bill to allow small businesses to band together even though democrats dont want it.

McCaskill says that its the Republicans not passing the bill mentioned. Says we just need to make a few adjustment to the bill.

Talent corrects the Mc Caskill record saying she does not support the banding together bill. Notes that the bill was FILLIBUSTERED but Democrats. (score one for Talent) Talent notes that the bill Mc Caskill supports would cost 80 billion vs the bill he proposes which cost people nothing.

McCaskill says she does support the business (BUT SHE DOES NOT SAY SHE SUPPORTS THE BILL!). Mc Caskill says that Talent supported 83 tax increases. Says she is the fiscal conservative (HEHEH).

McCaskill ask Talent a question minimum wage (she blovates quite a bit on that one).

Talent says the issue for voters to decide. Corrects her about his record. Notes about who will PAY for minimum wage increases. Says he supports minimum wage increases when coupled with relief for small business. Talent notes that Claire is not a friend of small business (riddles off a whole list of issues).

Talent asks question about a series of tax shelters where she is hiding her money from taxes - ask if she will release her finances.

McCaskill dodges question, says Talent has changed.  Says family has released a book on holdings. Says no tax sheltering has occurred that is illegal. Says it is “just about smear.” Blovates, says that Talent thinks she is a good egg, etc. Says she will never attack family (oh, yeah, what about that false patriot statement, eh?).

If by cue Tony messenger ask about Talent adverstisment saying Claire is a lie and cheat (is she?).

Talent says no, but notes his record has been lied about, called a “false patriot.” Notes his full list of accomplishments. Notes his stamp of approval by VFW, recieved life time achievement from Vietnam vets.

McCaskill tries to play mom and chatises Talent for name calling, but still calls him a “false patriot” (I cannot believe no one is calling her on it). Tries to make case that Talent is the boogie man on vets.

Talent responds by noting that Mc Caskill campaign calls him a false patriot, has said he is surrounded by corruption.

Missy Shelton ask about contradiction in Catholic church position and her statement about “what her faith tells her” with stem cell research (church says heal sick and protect life).

McCaskill says she prays for church leadership when she disagrees with them (how nice of her). Notes that Talent has had mulitple positions. Says she comes down on the side of science. Says Talent has proposed legislation to criminalize stem cell research.

Talent straightens out record, noting that he said that he is against human cloning, not stem cell research. Says there is a problem with science, notes that technology is emerging where we can do research without destroying an embryo. Notes that Claire has never stood up for life in its early stage (supports abortion)

McCaskill says she is personally oppossed to abortion. Says she we should come together on issue.

Catanese ask what earmark here in missouri is wasteful.

Talent notes earmark that is positive (water quality institute). Addresses the deficit by saying that we should cut the budget and cut taxes to increase revenue. Notes that the deficit is down because of supply side economics. Notes that Claire is against tax cuts. Says he is for line item vetoe. (Does not talk give specific item)

McCaskill notes that he isnt aware of any wasteful projects. Says to check website for specifics (okay, was this question rigged?). Goes off on departure from contract for America. Note that CLAIRE DOES NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION EITHER!

Talent notes that Claire didnt name any projects either. Notes of taxes and scandals within her own office.

Catanese asks Mc Caskill about whether to renew NCLB. Says she is for renewing it, but with changes. Notes that teachers should be teaching content, not for a test. Says Republicans have failed to fund NCLB (wiskey tango foxtrot). Says we must support, and not cut public education.

Talent says education is important (duh). Says he supports more moolah. Says teachers and principles must have control. Talent says he is concerned about beaucracy of NCLB. Gives example.

McCaskill says its important to look at Talent’s record on education. Says Talent has voted to cut funds, steal Christmas, etc.

Missy Shelton asks about global warming.

Talent says it is a problem, but not sure of specifics. Says that renewable fuels is a good help. Notes biodiesel. Notes accomplished legislation and impacts. (great to see impacts) Notes that Mc Caskill opposed it. Claire took “the north eastern line.”

McCaskill says global warning is a problem. Gives Talent quote without context. Says she supports alternative fuel. Notes of some obscure 1988 vote. Says that Talent opposed it. Says she opposed bill because there were tax subsidies to “big oil”. Talks about “record profits” and contributions to Talent.

Talent notes that Oil companies lost in the bill. Notes that every midwestern Senator supported the bill, but she took the Chuck Schumer line (points for Talent).

Tony Messenger asks what can the United States do to help with the Mexican economy.

McCaskill says she does not think its our role. Goes off on financial tangent (completely irrelevant to question). Says we should engage in trade in Mexico, not outsourcing job, etc. Says first responsibly is to America. Says she is not for amnesty.

Talent believes we should represents our own interest. Notes need for a border fence. Notes that Mc Caskill says she opposes the border fence. Notes with specific that Claire is for amnesty (more points, gives precise reference).

Claire responds that a fence wont solve a problem and twist her comment to the Columbia Tribune (sorta like the Newsweek comment we talked about earlier).

Tony Messenger asks about local francise fees and the telecom industry. (points for Tony!)

Talent notes that local is important and talks about improved reduction of red tape. Says its important to protect.

McCaskill talks about open markets and generalities. Talks about Talent, Washington power. (she completely passes the question and says nothing to the question.) Says oil will go up after the election (uh, claire, ever hear of supply and demand.. she is lying about that question.. fearmongering).

Talent notes the “conspiracy.” Hammers her on competition and free market. Notes how she is NOT for free markets.

Missy Shelton asks about Social security reform.

McCaskill talks about “solvency” and “run away spending” in congress when Republicans took over. Talks about populist themes, fighting the man, etc. (no content at all). Says he is there to FIGHT Bush.

Talent says Social security is vital. Says he is opposed to privatization. Says that money paid into Social security must stay there. Notes how Claire is against prescription drugs, etc. Notes that it would have happened under Mc Caskill.

Talent Closing statment: Notes election is about getting stuff done in Washington. He gets it done. Lists what he gets done. Notes that Claire Mc Caskill opposes Missouri Values and notes a compare and contrast between records. Notes about her not changing tone or success in her current or past jobs. Notes low prosecution rate, low ethics. Repeats issues with taxes, etc.

McCaskill closing statment: defends personal and professional record. Tries to talk about her past. Says how blessed she is to live in this state. (fumbles statment, resests) Says Missourians dont want extreme example x and y. Says when you cast vote who are you going to hear.. lobbyist, Bush or Missourians. Says she is listening to us and wants to be elected for change. (note, she is laying down markers that she is going to be an obstructionist instead of working WITH Republicans)

Be sure to check back for my analysis later tonight!

Posted by Paul Seale on Monday, October 16th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Filed under Media, Missouri Politics, National Politics.