Runoff debate kinda boring?
Last night’s runoff debate was surprisingly pretty chilled out. Both candidates thanked Clark, Eilers, Cat and Sutton and then agreed with each other for while. In other words, we were bored as heck.
For anyone who hasn’t been following their campaigns, they both did a nice job of playing catch-up. Mayor Coody began with the usual here’s-what-I’ve-done speech and Jordan followed with the I’ve-lived-here-forever thing. For those of us who were looking for something new, the debate didn’t quite quench our thirst.
There were a few new ideas (which you can read about at nwanews.com) but for the most part, there were only a couple of moments that really stuck out.
First, Jordan officially debunked the idea that he would unionize the city’s fire and police departments, stating “In fact, the fire department already has a union.”
Then there was an awkward back-n-forth between Mayor Coody and moderator Susan Rausch over the meaning of a budget-related question.
We watched it live on Channel 16 so we weren’t able to see the apparently massive turnout first-hand. Did any of y’all attend? Did you have to sit on the floor? Was it more exciting than it looked on television?
[More at nwaonline and nwanews]
Comments
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Total Bastard
November 13, 2008
I thought Coody had a long list of accomplishments and Lioneld’s primary one I can recall is that he “made the motion” to rename 6th Street (which I think its kind of dumb) MLK Boulevard.
Dan is a much better speaker than Lioneld and I’d rather have him representing our city.
Of course with Lioneld as mayor, all of the national and international economic development contacts Dan Coody has made over the past few years will disappear, so that won’t really matter. I suppose Lioneld would make a serviceable regional representative.
Lioneld’s primary platform sounds like he is not going to make any decisions. The Mayor’s seat will be the “people’s seat” he kept saying over and over again. That’s nice in theory, but a mayor needs to LEAD and make some tough decisions. A mayor can’t just leave the seat open and let the “people decide”.
Is Lioneld going to have a referendum on every difficult decision that comes up? How exactly is he going to “listen to everybody”.
His platform is Coody’s green/sustainability, with a “I will please everyone” mantra. Its crap.
Farrah
November 13, 2008
The flags are very moving
Informed voter
November 13, 2008
It was a little more exciting in person. There were many attendees on the floor. The room was probably 3/4 Lioneld supporters.
It looks to me as if Jordan has decided not to be confrontational with the Mayor in this forum, as it is a waste of his energy and our feckless leader will not change.
Coody did get a new hairstyle and a new coat, guess he didn’t like people commenting on the smell of the old Camel. Guess what Dan, It ain’t the coat.
attendee
November 14, 2008
Dan Coody is only good when he is on script and his version of reality isn’t questioned. He started out smooth (and apparently well rehearsed as his wife’s lips were literally moving along with some of his answers) and then fell apart.
Lioneld Jordan started out nervous but grew visibly stronger as the questions went on. His answers were straightforward and factual, even as Coody tried to paint him as less than the thoughtful, highly competent legislator he has proven himself to be.
It had to be buoying to Lioneld and disconcerting to Coody to see the sheer number of Jordan supporters who continue to show up in solidarity. Coody had very few who were openly in his camp.
The conclusion would logically be that Lioneld inspires loyalty and Coody fails to do so. Isn’t that a rather important characteristic in a leader?
Total Bastard
November 17, 2008
Coodster got the NWATimes nod, now that Clark is out:
http://nwarktimes.com/nwat/Editorial/71175/
fringe union extremist
November 17, 2008
Big whoop–cold leftovers. The only surprise was that he couldn’t get it the first time. He probably brought up his “poor me you made me lose my first election” story and reminded them that he had won the resulting lawsuit.
This endorsement only continues Coody’s lowdown name-calling campaign and promulgates his baseless scare tactics. It is insulting to the intelligence of the voters.
They should all be ashamed, if they have even an iota of conscience.
Only Karl Rove could take any pride in such a vile campaign strategy.
Total Bastard
November 18, 2008
Actually, the endorsement makes a pretty clear point about why Coody is the better choice.
I think its well thought out and reasonable, unlike the Jordan horde.