Just finished watching the Barrett / Walker debate. My observations...

[Scuba]

In my humble opinion, Walker tried to get three points across:

1. His reforms are working.

2. Democrats love him.

3. He was an Eagle Scout (yep, he got that in).


Tom Barrett had a different focus:

1. Walker cannot be trusted.

2. Walker serves interests from outside the State, not our citizens.

3. As Governor, Tom would work to build bi-partisan coalitions, not ram through one-sided legislation.


I thought Tom, while not a dynamic speaker, was effective in hammering Walker on integrity and trust, divisiveness and using the Governor's office to punish his political opponents.

As for Walker, only his disciples believe the reforms are working and I have yet to meet a single Democrat who thinks Walker is anything but a con artist. The Eagle Scouts will have to mend their own reputation.

Walker was careful not to play too fast and loose with the truth, but fact checkers should still have a field day with his claims. Even if he was correct about some things (like putting more money into Medicaid) a little investigation will show his true intentions (money went to Medicaid over his objections).

I'll call the debate a win for Barrett; Walker had nothing new to offer and lame defenses for his behavior. However, I doubt many people in the State will change their minds as a result of this debate. Walker's hard-core followers have developed a resistance to facts. His detractors are already supporting Barrett.

Perhaps, somewhere deep in the North Woods, there's an undecided person in this State. But I doubt it.

[hlthe2b]

1. Thank you... I've been waiting for a DUer's impressions...

What is local media saying about it?

[Poiuyt]

3. Local media talks about Wanker being on the defensive

Tom Barrett, Scott Walker clash in first Wisconsin governor debate
Milwaukee mayor aggressive in attacks on governor

MADISON — Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, down in the polls to Gov. Scott Walker, aggressively went after Walker in a debate Friday and accused him of purposefully dividing the state and triggering the June 5 recall election.

Barrett kept Walker on the defensive throughout much of the hour-long debate in Milwaukee, which was broadcast live statewide just 11 days before the election. Walker is only the nation’s third governor to ever stand for recall. The previous two, most recently California Gov. Gray Davis in 2003, were defeated.

more-

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20120526/APC010405/305260086/Barrett-Walker-clash-first-debate?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[longship]

2. Thank for this

R&

[rocktivity]

4. That's pretty much how I scored it

And I gave Barrett a walkover for Walker's Eagle Scout remark.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/125140440


rocktivity

[postulater]

5. Barrett can reach more people if he

exposes walkers plan to sell off DNR land and privatize the deer herd.

That's something a lot of people care more about than almost any other issue either of them brought up.

[Scuba]

6. Agreed. Tom should blast him on this. It's the one issue that will turn voters red to blue.

[ewagner]

7. Agree with the agree-er!

[undeterred]

8. Sheesh.

The deer are more important than health care, workers rights, and jobs?

[Poiuyt]

10. To many people here, yes. Absolutely

I know, twisted priorities.

I've heard that Wanker, the pitbull politician that he is, has come out with ads that say that Barrett is antihunting.

[ladym55]

15. I think it's an NRA ad

Shows Barrett taking away a hunter's gun ... it disappears.

Barrett is talking about this ... his support of hunters and his concerns about the "deer czar" Walker brought in from Texas. That guy apparently is all about creating private game preserves (like the one where Cheney shot his friend in the face).

[Scuba]

11. Hunting on public land is a very big deal here....

... and losing that right would be a nasty proposition for a bunch of folks who are currently supporting Walker. If they'll change their vote over that, fine.

But you're correct of course.

[snacker]

13. I'm not exaggerating when I say this..

for some of the guys my husband works with, deer hunting is THE issue they vote on. Hope that article about privatizing deer herds and selling public land changes a few minds. I printed off copies, and hubby took them to work.

[Scuba]

14. Good job, thanks. I know for a fact you are not exaggerating.

[postulater]

16. Yeah, pretty sick, isn't it. But I know people who figure they are not

affected by any of the other issues. They really are mindless but only care when someone tries to 'screw with' them.

[ewagner]

17. No. Not more important BUT

if you mention worker's rights...you're a "Union Thug" and they don't listen
if you mention healthcare, the repubs will tell you how its either socialism (by that Kenyan usurper) or it will raise taxes or it will bankrupt America and they don't listen...
talk about jobs and the repubs will tell you Walker created Millions MILLIONS I TELLS YA of new jobs.

but threaten their god-given right to shoot deer, wolves, mourning doves, tweety-pie or anything and let me tell you..

you've got a fight on your hands....

this is the only thing that is getting through to these folks...at this point I'll try anything.

[HelenWheels]

9. Tom's not a great speaker

That's true but he comes across as a nice, likeable guy who is speaking the truth.

Although Tom has been in office for many years he has none of the fake, glib persona that many politicians have.

[WillyT]

12. K & R !!! - Thank You !!!