Monday, August 14, 2006
Attention AG candidates: You all 'suck'
I've held off on writing this for a few days now to let the audio and the blogosphere debates chime in. Republican Attorney General candidates Paul Bucher and JB Van Hollen debated last Thursday on the Charlie Sykes show live at the State Fair. Like their debate on "Now and Then" on Wisconsin Public Television a few weeks ago, both Bucher and Van Hollen argued with each other with Bucher interrupting Van Hollen and Van Hollen making general remarks like he knows where terrorism in Wisconsin.
But this time around (on a right-wing talk show), the two got into it even more with Van Hollen telling Bucher "you suck."
The debate turned personal during a commercial break when Bucher interrupted as Van Hollen was trying to clarify his position on whether suspected terrorists are operating in Wisconsin.
"Will you ever listen?" Van Hollen said. "That's why you suck, Paul, because you only listen to people who agree with you."
Bucher offered little reaction initially. But after the on-air debate resumed, he told listeners about his opponent's verbal jab.
"I don't suck. I resent that," he said, telling Van Hollen: "If we're going to denigrate into that, you go first."
Van Hollen told listeners that he had intended to criticize only Bucher's manner of arguing and interrupting people in mid-sentence.
"He's got a leadership style that sucks," Van Hollen said on the air.
So here we have two grown men telling each other they "suck," instead of telling Peg Lautenschalger or Kate Falk that they suck. Typical GOP primaries call out the Democrats, but this time around they are calling out each other, making Republicans state-wide scratching their heads.
Like those GOPers statewide, I am left scratching my head. I don't know who I'd support in this aftermath. Bucher sounded like a big mean bully and Van Hollen sounded like the 14-year-old who just got shoved into a locker.
Is there a way we can elect someone else then the 14-year-olds from the GOP, DUI Peg or Catch-and-Release Kate? An independent canidate sure is sounding good right about now.
Labels: Election 2006
