I live in Indiana and was immediately drawn into the Alaska Senate debate by Scott McAdams right out the block. I hadn't heard much about him besides the people on DKos urging folks to give him a chance. Even though I knew I had to get up early in the morning, I couldn't stop watching and stayed up past 1 AM to see the whole thing. Please continue to read and you'll see why.
I have to say, this was by far the BEST debate I've ever watched, and I've been watching them since the 80s. Excellent questions from the moderators, the candidates and the audience (although there were a couple of dumb ones) and a pretty good format ... empty chair and glass of water for Joe Miller and all.
I loved how both candidates took their fair share of shots at Miller, pointing out just how CRAZY ... DERANGED ... he is. Even the moderators were getting in on the "Miller is a freak" fest. By the way, did anyone catch after one of the intermissions when Lisa's chair was gone, she asked if she should use Joe's chair and McAdams started shaking his head saying 'NOOOOO!!!' making sure they kept it empty! That was hilarious!
Anyway, going into the debate, I personally didn't care which of the two actually wins as long as Miller doesn't. That's all changed after last night.
Murkowski wasn't nearly as irritating as some of the other republicans have been in these settings but she did come across as condescending, angry and at times evasive. Plus, I was quickly reminded that she hasn't made any real attempts to do the right thing since she's been in office so far.
McAdams, on the other hand, offered good, sound and HONEST answers the entire time. Not to mention, his personality is such a breath of fresh air. Not only did he hold his own against a sitting Senator, he DOMINATED the debate, IMO.
I can't think of a past or present candidate who deserves to be sent to DC more than this man, whom everyone seems to be too quick to write off. Hell, we've been stuck with Evan Bayh for all these years and now we're about to get Dan Coats (Ellsworth ain't got a chance). I WISH we had a candidate as good, no as GREAT, as Scott McAdams.
He is a diamond in the rough for Democrats and Alaskans. If they don't recognize that and settle for Murkowski out of fear or complacency, or even worse, go on to enable the leader of the goon squade, Joe Miller, then they deserve whatever they get. The fact that this debate and this man are not being highlighted as the standard bearer for how to be a candidate, the fact that the media isn't giving him more play but keep blowing up the airwaves with O'Donnell and Palin, I think it's a sad example of how twisted our political process has become.
I am BEGGING the Democrats of Alaska, the Independents, the sound minded Republicans who haven't been brainwashed by the Tea Party, seriously, I'm BEGGING YOU ... GIVE THIS MAN A CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF!!!! Move beyond your doubts and your fears and pick the right person for once. We need, no we DESERVE, someone like him in the U.S. Senate.
If more people in the country could see what he's made of, Scott McAdams could single handedly wipe out the enhusiasm gap. I'm living proof, he's got my HYPED as all get up!