Ken Salazar (D) vs. Pete Coors (R),   The two candidates had their first debate in Grand Junction, Colorado on Saturday night.
Coors seems to have the republican playbook down.  He consistently uses the overall themes (junk science, trial lawyers, activist judges, frivolous lawsuits, you cannot tax your way to a better economy, enemies seek to destroy our freedom, etc) in campaigning.

As the vows to run clean campaigns seems to fade the contentious air will build as Salazar and Coors face each other in 12 more debates.

The next debate this Thursday, Colorado Contractors Association Forum, Thursday, September 16, Denver.

There is growing criticism of Bush backing out of one of the presidential debates.  From what I've read, Bush does not want to be in front of swing voters and asked "unscripted" questions.

While this debate would cause the president to stammer and malaprop more than usual, this would be his worst nightmare.  PM Tony Blair a day or two following Colin Powell's presentation to the U.N, sat down with a journalist who actually asked questions and about a dozen anti-war constituents.

Grab a coffee.  The first five minutes are a must see and then check out around 21 to 22 minutes into the video.

While I would pay to see our president in a prime minister's questions format.  This style of sit down with voters and a journalist who have not signed the loyalty oath would be priceless.

Where is Stan Matsunaka?  

His main opponent is Marilyn Musgrave and here in Colorado you can tell that she is running for re-election.  She has tv commercials on probably once an hour on one the cable news networks. She also is advertising alot on the christian network.  

Stan...

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao was on the ask the white house questions.  Typically these are worthless softball questions with just soundbite stay on message answers.

Today's session was hardball instead of softball.  I would assume that they answer the easier questions but...

You must stop out sourcing American jobs. Do not give America jobs away...

Please do your job and protect America not international companies...

the "Middle" has been wiped out. You're either "Rich" or you're "Poor". There isn't an "in-between" anymore. When can we expect to see more jobs out there?...

There were very few easy questions.  

Unfortunately Bush will not be aware of the questions or the tone of the QandA session.

Even this morning Bush was claiming that inflation is low.  Perhaps by some tecnical measure but anyone who has bought gas or goes to the grocery store has a different view on the current inflation status.