Who won the Senatorial Debate?
Joe Kyrillos had a much stronger performance last night in the NJ 101.5/Verizon FIOS1 debate against Bob Menendez than he had last week at Montclair State.
In his opening statement Kyrillos framed the hour as a choice between Menendez’s “Corzine economic strategy of more spending, more taxes and more debt.” With the exception of $46 billion in defense spending cuts Menendez touted, more spending, more taxes and more debt were at the heart of all of the accomplishments the incumbent pointed to as his justification for another term. Throughout the hour Menendez called for more federal spending as the way to improve the economy while Kyrillos called for a “private sector stimulus package” of lower tax rates and less onerous regulation.
Menendez answered the Corzine label by tying Kyrillos to George W. Bush and former Governor Christie Whitman.
“Bob is laughable,” Kyrillos said to the charge that he favors millionaires over the middle class. “Bob protects lots of millionaires. Jon Corzine is one of them, along with the many others he takes money from.”
” I can’t believe you’re still talking about that,” Kyrillos said in answer to Menendez asking “Why would your not reject Mitt Romney’s 47% comment?” “I issued a statement right way saying I support 100% of Americans. Mitt can say what he wants. You issue a lot of press releases Senator, you should read some of mine.”
Each candidate got to ask the other two questions.
In his second question to Kyrillos, Menendez confronted Joe on his “War on Women,” citing 6 votes Monmouth’s senior State Senator cast against funding for women’s health care and a vote that he “walked out on” regarding an equal pay bill. Kyrillos handled it well, point to the “millions” he voted for in women’s health care funding over his career and the need to balance the budget. Regarding the equal pay bill, Kyrillos said, “that was not a women’s bill, it was a lawyers bill. “I don’t women want to sue their bosses. I want them to be the boss!”
Kyrillos questions to Menendez were consistent with the “Corzine economic strategy” theme he had set for the debate. In his first question, Joe asked if, given the economy since Menendez has taken office, would the incumbent senator do anything differently. Menendez rattled off the same talking points he used in both debates so far and proudly said he would do everything the same.
In his second question to Menendez, Kyrillos asked what the incumbents jobs plan, “besides spending more and raising more taxes.” Menendez took the bait and rattled off the federal monies he’s brought to New Jersey’s BioTech companies, solar energy companies and transportation projects.” “That’s all government spending,” Kyrillos said. “No, no, no,’ said Menendez trying to amend his answer before moderator Eric Scott cut him off.
As well as Kyrillos performed, there was no game changing moment that will dominate the news. As he did the the first debate, Menendez performed very well. He has a well practiced script of talking points that he accesses with ease and will not divert from.
The final debate will be on Sunday October 14 at 3PM, during the second half of the Colts/Jets game and the Lions/Eagles games. The will be broadcast on ABC television. Set your DVR.
Who do you think won the second senatorial debate?