Pennsylvania 2014 Discussion Thread

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Why would have a debate during the season premieres of Big Bang Theory, The Voice, and Fox's new hit show Gotham?

People who watch BBT should not be allowed to vote.

[Keystone Phil]

Watched most of it.  (The plug-in script crashed about 40 minutes in >[ )

Both candidates appeared to have good judgment and Corbett was more specific, especially when challenging Wolf's taxing and spending plans.  Taxes came up 14 minutes in and stayed for the remainder.  The moderator seemed to be keen on holding both of them over the flame.  

I have to agree with IceSpear's observation of crickets for Wolf, applause for Corbett's farts.  Wolf understood the venue and made light of it:  "I suppose that wasn't applause for me; that was applause for the question."  I also agree with Phil that Corbett seemed stronger, or at least more in command of facts (and slightly less evasive) than Wolf.

If the debates count, then Wolf might want to study up a little before the next one.

Yes, Corbett was in front a more favorable crowd and got more applause. No doubt. But Wolf didn't exactly get cricket chirps throughout the debate. He had a few points that were well received. I do think the moderator was more favorable to one candidate though. But that's kind of expected. They want to make a name for themselves and tearing into Corbett doesn't do that; bringing down Wolf would.

By the way, Tom Brokaw was the speaker at the dinner last night. Kind of surprised he didn't moderate. I guess he turned it down. Ted Koppel was a moderator during either the 2006 or 2010 debate there.

[Gass3268]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/pa-government-ip-address-removed-unflattering-info?utm_term=4ldqpia&bftw=pol#1mbhroh

[Lief 🗽]

Really good article at Daily Kos looking at how competitive the senate and assembly are this year: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/16/1329906/-Can-Democrats-flip-the-Pennsylvania-Senate-A-look-at-the-2014-playing-field-with-maps-and-new-data

[Keystone Phil]

Second debate is tomorrow in Philly. Corbett released a new ad today: http://www.politicspa.com/pa-gov-corbett-releases-sarcastic-new-ad-hitting-wolf-on-taxes-video/60741/

[IceSpear]

If anyone wants to watch the second debate you can here:

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/10643254-breakfast-with-the-candidates-debate-part-1/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/10643271-breakfast-with-the-candidates-debate-part-2/

It was a pretty good debate, definitely better than the first one which was kind of a snoozefest. Both candidates had their moments and got their zingers in.

[President Johnson]

If anyone wants to watch the second debate you can here:

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/10643254-breakfast-with-the-candidates-debate-part-1/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/10643271-breakfast-with-the-candidates-debate-part-2/

It was a pretty good debate, definitely better than the first one which was kind of a snoozefest. Both candidates had their moments and got their zingers in.

Wolf had a better performance than in the first debate, but Corbett still won.

[henster]

Too bad for Corbett that nobody watches these things.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Too bad for Corbett that everyone made up their mind before debates begin.

[DemPGH]

The debates are just a chance for Wolf to get known a bit, and no, I don't think anyone is particularly going to be influenced by them. Seeing Corbett is enough to remind most how awful he has been across the board. The only thing Corbett can possibly say is, "He'll raise taxes!" - never mind that Corbett raised the gas tax - and that line won't work, to say the least, this time.

[Keystone Phil]

Final debate tonight. Corbett is obviously going to go hard in this one.

[President Johnson]

Final debate tonight. Corbett is obviously going to go hard in this one.

Unfortunately it won't help him that much.

[Vega]

Corbett is looking pretty good in the debate.

[Keystone Phil]

I didn't watch but if even Vega is saying he looked good...

[Vega]

I didn't watch but if even Vega is saying he looked good...

Yeah, he did look good. Wolf was pretty nervous throughout the debate, and Corbett was hammering him hard.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

When Wolf was pressed for his exact tax plan and how he would compensate for all the new spending he wanted to do, it wasn't pretty. Still, too late, doesn't matter.

[Keystone Phil]

When Wolf was pressed for his exact tax plan and how he would compensate for all the new spending he wanted to do, it wasn't pretty. Still, too late, doesn't matter.

It's fact that Wolf doesn't have a plan. There isn't even a debate on that point. Wolf literally answers, "I don't know" and "I don't have a crystal ball" when asked specific questions on how much he wants to spend on education and where he's going to get the revenue.

The guy has gotten away with everything this entire campaign by being Mr. Nice Guy.

[Landslide Lyndon]

It's fact that Wolf doesn't have a plan. There isn't even a debate on that point. Wolf literally answers, "I don't know" and "I don't have a crystal ball" when asked specific questions on how much he wants to spend on education and where he's going to get the revenue.

Hey, sounds to me like he is following Christie's 2009 strategy against Corzine.

[IceSpear]

When Wolf was pressed for his exact tax plan and how he would compensate for all the new spending he wanted to do, it wasn't pretty. Still, too late, doesn't matter.

It's fact that Wolf doesn't have a plan. There isn't even a debate on that point. Wolf literally answers, "I don't know" and "I don't have a crystal ball" when asked specific questions on how much he wants to spend on education and where he's going to get the revenue.

The guy has gotten away with everything this entire campaign by being Mr. Nice Guy.

Well, he's pretty much gotten away with everything because the incumbent has a 30% approval rating. People with those kind of ratings can only get re-elected in deeply partisan states (and even then it isn't certain). This race was always going to be about Corbett, and I was saying that even back in January when everyone was telling me Corbett would be able to make it a referendum on Schwartz as opposed to himself.

[Keystone Phil]

When Wolf was pressed for his exact tax plan and how he would compensate for all the new spending he wanted to do, it wasn't pretty. Still, too late, doesn't matter.

It's fact that Wolf doesn't have a plan. There isn't even a debate on that point. Wolf literally answers, "I don't know" and "I don't have a crystal ball" when asked specific questions on how much he wants to spend on education and where he's going to get the revenue.

The guy has gotten away with everything this entire campaign by being Mr. Nice Guy.

Well, he's pretty much gotten away with everything because the incumbent has a 30% approval rating. People with those kind of ratings can only get re-elected in deeply partisan states (and even then it isn't certain). This race was always going to be about Corbett, and I was saying that even back in January when everyone was telling me Corbett would be able to make it a referendum on Schwartz as opposed to himself.

Giving someone a pass because the incumbent isn't liked: sounds like a great way to get yourself another Governor that will have poor approval ratings.

I'm not saying I don't understand why he's getting a pass. Of course it was going to be a referendum on the incumbent (but I do believe if someone like Schwartz was the nominee, it would be a little different. Wolf isn't a polarizing type like Schwartz or McCord. Again, the likability is key here). But this total pass he's received is surprising and irresponsible.

[Vega]

If there was a bag that you knew had nothing but bad things, and another bag, that you don't know anything about, but might be better, which would you pick?

[Keystone Phil]

If there was a bag that you knew had nothing but bad things, and another bag, that you don't know anything about, but might be better, which would you pick?

Sounds like a brilliant closing ad script for the Wolfpack!

[tmthforu94]

If there was a bag that you knew had nothing but bad things, and another bag, that you don't know anything about, but might be better, which would you pick?

The other bag could be much worse, too. Given that I'm not a risky person, I'm pretty certain I would personally go with the bag I knew was bad (similar thing going on in Kansas).

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah and in a state that is cautious/mostly Pro Incumbent, I don't think Wolf is going to suddenly embrace a "Take a chance on me" message.

[IceSpear]

If there was a bag that you knew had nothing but bad things, and another bag, that you don't know anything about, but might be better, which would you pick?

The other bag could be much worse, too.

When it comes to Corbett, I wouldn't be so sure about that. I mean, I guess he isn't a criminal like Florida's governor who shall not be named, but that's not saying very much.

The dynamics of this race are pretty fascinating. Politicians frequently use the risk averse, "above the fray" strategy that Wolf is currently using. But usually the ones using it are incumbents that are ahead by huge margins against a challenger nobody cares about. This time it's a challenger ahead of the incumbent by huge margins who people very much care about (for better or for worse, usually worse).