Alright, so after numerous problems this evening, it appears we are ready to get down to business. Madcasey is currently on his way into the WTIU studios, so he should begin his coverage shortly. I wanted to throw up the thread though, so that the updates have a place to go. Let's hear your thoughts as well! -- Yoss
Deny My Freedom is proud to bring to you the IN-09 debate tonight between former Rep. Baron Hill (D) and Rep. Mike Sodrel (R). We were lucky enough to get press credentials for this event, so Madcasey will be chiming in with his thoughts from the studio. See below how you can help have your questions be heard.
Listen online here!
Live blogging to begin shortly...
For those wanting some background on this race, here is the introduction to the USNews.com
Campaign diary series:
Whoever gets two out of three wins? Incumbent Republican Mike Sodrel faces off against Democrat Baron Hill in what will be their third matchup in as many elections. Hill occupied the seat in 2002, when Sodrel challenged him and lost. They faced off again in 2004, and Sodrel won, becoming the only Republican that year to take a seat from an incumbent Democrat not subject to redistricting. Now Hill is looking for revenge as they square off a third time. Like many other challengers, Hill is hoping the national mood will work in his favor, as it did for Sodrel in 2004. In this traditional, relatively rural district, moral value issues like abortion are coming into play. Hill is trying to make his case on the family pocketbook, highlighting high energy prices. Democrats are hoping that Hill's personal popularity and reputation as a moderate and fiscal conservative can sway voters turned off by Republican rule. But Sodrel, a high-profile local businessman who owns a transportation company, is a formidable candidate who has successfully played issues like tax cuts, flag burning, and gay marriage against Hill, who has taken nuanced positions on some such issues while outright opposing a federal constitutional ban on gay marriage.
I know Hill isn't the most popular around here, but Sodrel is the definition of a Tom DeLay GOP member, and Hill stands a good chance of reclaiming his seat. This is one of the top races in the country, and we are thrilled to have an opportunity to bring some exclusive insight from the IU campus to you.
Once again, Madcasey is live and in person, so please post any comments or questions you have, and he will make every effort to question the candidate's campaigns after the debate.
Let's hear it!
Update 1: The debate begins! Man, Sodrel looks like a goober, but that Libertarian candidate...jeesh. -- Yoss
Update 2: Opening statements. Sodrel appeals to the rural vote by stating that Hill is a Washington insider. Hilarious considering who Sodrel chooses to associate himself with. Hill focuses once again on the fact that he wanted a single-issue debate on energy policy. I am not a big fan of this strategy, but we'll see how it plays out. The Libertarian candidate? Well, it turns out taxes are evil...whodathunk? -- Yoss
Question 1: Energy policy question. More or less a toss up as far as effectiveness, but Sodrel's main point is that he is a "consumer" not a "producer," and thus should be trusted. The Libertarian takes a crack at Democrats as "running up the prices" with their advocation for big government. This could be painful. -- Yoss
Question 2: No Child Left Behind. Sodrel hammers Hill as being the one in Congress who voted for it, so his criticisms are ridiculous. Takes a shot at Hill, saying his wife (a teacher), should have mentioned these things to him if they talked about such things at the dinner table. Hill comes back and states that they were not aware of how effective the program would be. Advocates reform, or scrapping altogether, as program has proven ineffective. Libertarian says he hates kids...or something like that. -- Yoss
Question 3: Immigration. Sodrel advocates against amnesty. Makes some ridiculous arguments that make little sense, but essentially states that we need to "do better." Hill says no amnesty as well, and advocates for tough penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants. States you can't blame immigrants, but we must protect the American worker, and that begins with taking away the incentive to come here (easy to find work). Blames Bush and GOP leadership for lack of leadership on issue. Libertarian candidate agrees with everyone, and I swear I saw him wiggle his ears. We think Madcasey may have been seized...no idea why we aren't hearing from him yet. -- Yoss
Question 4: Iraq War. Baron Hill hammers Sodrel for cutting benefits to veterans, and cutting health care for veterans. Says we can't "cut and run," but we need to have a plan. Goddamn Hill for using their language, but oh well. The Libertarian candidate says something, that is all. Sodrel makes a weak attempt to salvage his own personal stake in the conflict. He supports the troops, in case you didn't know. -- Yoss
Question 5: How to pay for the Iraq War. Libertarian candidate harps on a GOP Congress willing to spend money, but not willing to pay for it. Sodrel, believes it or not, quotes John F. Kennedy. States that the precentage of our total budget being dedicated to fight terror now is more than worth the cost of losing, (which isn't an option). Makes the argument that we must honor the WWII generation by continuing their struggle. Hill takes the GOP to task on not listening to the people: This war is not worth it. Hits on what I have been talking about, which revolves around Sodrel's votes against student aid while voting for estate tax cuts and the failed Iraq War. -- Yoss
Question 6: How to reduce oil dependency. Sodrel takes the stance that research is too hard, so we should work on getting more oil. No, really. Hill states there is an energy crisis, something Sodrel has denied. Hill states that our current leadership in Washington are not the people who can lead us into the future. They have no reason to, with all of their oil-industry money. Makes a good argument, bookended by the Libertarian candidate stating that invention is good, and government is bad. -- Yoss
Question 7: Should the 9th district worry about who controls Congress? Hill makes the argument that this isn't about parties, it is about giving the people of the district the true representation they deserve. Harps against a do-nothing Congress who isn't listening to the people. Goes back to his single-issue debate complaints. Sodrel takes another shot at Hill taking a position as a lobbyist after leaving Congress. Appeals to the pastoral, rural American people to recognize Mother Truckin' moron Mike Sodrel as their kind of guy. I guess he does pronounce Washington, "Warshington." -- Yoss
Question 8: Global Warming. Sodrel argues that global warming should be addressed, but only so long as it doesn't cost money. Bitches about the price that saving the planet will have. He and the Libertarian candidate look like morons when Baron Hill takes them to task for being naive to the realities of what is happening to our planet. "The only scientists disputing this are the ones hired by the oil companies." Damn straight Baron. -- Yoss
Question 9: Gay marriage. Sodrel says the issue of marriage is a federal issue, and he is for "traditional marriage." Says that this is a slippery slope, and could lead to all sorts of wacky things that would give him the willies. Baron Hill says he is against federal control of this issue. States he doesn't personally support gay marriage, but it isn't his place to dictate the local law. -- Yoss
Question 10: The economy. Hill takes Sodrel to task for squandering the prosperity he oversaw in the 1990s. Brings up the Chinese purchasing our debt. Sodrel argues that the economy is just fine, and he doesn't understand all of this naysaying. He appears to be having a problem making a coherent thought. The Libertarian candidate really shines on this one though. Leave no tax alive! -- Yoss
Closing Statements: Sodrel goes back to his argument that he is a normal guy, while Baron Hill is a crazy Warshington alien-type. He says he buys his own gas, so he must be telling the truth. Hill says there is so much that he didn't get to say tonight, and he knows that the people want to hear more. Openly challenges Sodrel to debate him throughout the district, but there is no time given for a response. This concludes the debate. -- Yoss