California debate -- Final End

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Date Posted: 23:37:12 09/24/03 Wed
Author: Drummond
Subject: California debate

If I were to pick "winners," I think you have to look at what each had to accomplish. Best to reduce it to categories.

Substance:

McClintock and Camejo. As Huffington pointed out, McClintock holds firm, definable positions, while Schwarzenegger is all over the place. McClintock listed off the conservative positions that distinguishes him from the other candidates (most specifically Schwarzenegger).

Camejo meanwhile got to educate the public about detailed left wing programs that don't get much coverage, particularly his proposals for the democratization of pension funds. And he pointed out the obvious in that while Republicans and some Democrats rail about illegal immigration the economy would tank if anybody actually did something about it. 40 percent of agricultural workers are illegal immigrants, and an untold number of hotel workers. Obviously, we could end illegal immigration tomorrow if we put into jail anyone who knowingly hires illegals, but that won't happen. Here McClintock, like Davis, is a demogogue who would do nothing about it if he got to office.

Ariana Huffington did get some shots in, but she wasn't really firm on her own program. She mostly wanted to show that she wasn't intimidated by Schwarzenegger, and she was pretty successful. And she attacked Bustamente as often as she attacked Schwarzenegger, particularly on the Indian money.

Schwarzenegger got his way and had the questions provided in advance, and still couldn't come up with any details. Even Bustamente, the consumate pol, had some details to propose, including luxury tax increases and the switchover from sales taxes to property taxes so that municipalities don't have more incentive to build more strip malls than residences. Bustamente also had the best response to the illegal immigrant children healthcare issue, asking why we should punish the children for the sins of the parents. Schwarzenegger then announced a reversal of his position, and Huffington went at him again with a sarcastic backhanded compliment.

Schwarzenegger was guilty of a minor inaccuracy btw. He is not the only candidate in the debate to have run a successful business. Socialist stockbroker Camejo has run several businesses, including the first successful progressive oriented investment firm, and the strongest pension fund in California. Ironically, of all the major candidates, he probably has the most business experience.

Style:

Schwartzenegger seemed to be slouching, probably to avoid looking too big. His one liners were obviously rehearsed, and trite for the most part. But he avoided looking like a complete moron, which is what he needed to do.

Bustamente actually showed some poise, rolling his eyes as Schwarzenegger or Huffington would interrupt him, and saying "anytime you're finished." He did manage to look like the "grown-up" of the exchanges. And he did catch Huffington in a mistake with regard to the use of bonds to build the Del Rico prison rather than general fund monies. She ended up looking like a bit of an amateur in that particular exchange.

Camejo probably could learn more about style. He came across as a lecturing professor, which is good and bad. He looks smart, but nobody bothered to attack him. With Huffington in the race, and progressives anxious about a Republican takeover, he probably won't get more than 2, maybe 3 percent of the votes.

Huffington seemed to be trying to prove she could be tough, and she came across as a bit shrill at times. But other than the gaff re the prison funds, her attacks on Schwarzenegger and Bustamente were right on. Schwarzenegger only boosted her with his slam re Terminator 4.

McClintock showed that he knows his stuff, and probably locked a certain percentage of the conservative vote. He could actually win the thing if enough liberals go for Schwarzenegger and the rank and file conservatives break ranks with their leadership and vote for the right winger, as they've done in the past. And he avoided too many attacks, though he probably needed to exchange with other candidates more often.

Goals:

Schwarzenegger survived without looking stupid. That seems to be the Republican bar of achievement lately.

McClintock distinguished himself from Schwarzenegger and may have snagged some conservatives. He probably got the most out of the debate.

Bustamente looked reasonable, and showed a sense of humor this time around. He probably shored up some of his democratic base and started to patch up the damage caused by the Indian money thing.

Huffington was the gadfly, and performed well. I think she probably accomplished what she wanted to, namely to make an impression.

Camejo advanced the Green Party agenda, and he and Huffington may have opened the door to more inclusive debates in the future. Maybe the media will realize they're on to something in making debates interesting. Diversity leads to interesting discussions. Who'd a thunk it?

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