PA Senate Debate: Lancaster 6

In their closing statements, the candidates had this to say... Alan said that he tells the truth and doesn't exaggerage and stresses his record as a pension lawyer as proof of his desire to fight for Pennsylvanians. Chuck listed his thirty-three years of coalition building, grassroots organizing and experience on the Hill and in previous winning Senate campaigns. He called on PA voters to bring him to DC because right now, the Dems need a "voice of conscience" in DC. Chuck said that we are experiencing crises right now, but on the flip side of crisis is opportunity and we have the opportunity now to effect change. Bob humbly asked for the vote in the primary [I don't think Schumer and Rendell would know humble if it was dropped on them via a 50 megaton payload]. He seemed stunned at the crowd's overwhelming response to Alan and Chuck's words and seemed worried, but maybe it was the eye makeup he was wearing.

After it was all over, many in the crowd made their way to the stage to speak with the candidates. Chuck was swarmed before he could leave the stage and was talking to the people while crouching down. He's pictured above hugging a supporter from the stage with cameras clicking behind them. We didn't get out of there for a solid half hour. We headed across campus to Ben's Underground to meet with some of the college Democrats for an afterparty. About twenty of us had some yummy greasy food and Oreo cookie milkshakes and discussed the debate, what there is to do between now and May 16th and what greasy foods to get seconds of. We finally headed home on the turnpike back to Center City around 11p.

It was great to get out Lancaster again to see the gang from my trip out there last month after St. Patrick's Day. They're an incredibly enthusiastic and well organized group out there. It was great to sit and watch the debate live and in the flesh. You take a lot more in than via the television, the crowd plays a large part in framing the feel of the debate and the crowd was very receptive to the Progressive message Chuck put forth. I wish they'd have another debate, this time in the Philly area, so that more people could see them all live. But Bob refuses to agree to do so.

I'll be volunteering tons of hours between now and May 16th for the Pennacchio campaign and I am sure that he will defeat Man on Dog in the general election. If anyone would like to get involved, please hit me with an email.

Oooh, and I almost forgot, I got to meet Carrie Budoff, the Inky writer covering this race along with other PA politicos. It's always cool to meet people whose writing you read. Catherine Lucey of the DN was there too, but I didn't know who she was. Meeting Will Bunch of the DN and Dan Rubin of the Inky give an added dimension to their writing. I've been approached at several events, last at the immigration rally, by people who somehow recognize me [there are like 2500 posts on this thing with maybe 5 of them with a photo of me]. I wonder what their first impressions are. I'd guess: "He's much shorter in person and curses like you dropped a 16lbs bowling ball on his big toe."

Comments

[Buckscountydem]

If only these debates where held in the major population areas Philly at Pitt. When they are all in a room together it is so clear who the people's candidate is.

[Davey D]

It was a great debate. How I wish Casey would agree to another. Even one of the Casey supporters sitting behind Sabra, Rob, and me shouted out "You can do it Bob!" after people in the crowd started chanting "More debates" to Casey as he stood smiling like an idiot on stage. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Casey is a fucking scaredy pussy.

[Jenna]

Although I support Sandals, I stand with ya'll on this one we have got to find a way to get Bobby to debate atleast once more before the primary, and since Philly is largest, it should of course be here! C'mon Bob, BE BRAVE!

[francine]

I just have one question, if Chuck helped all these people, like Tim Wirth and Tom Harkin, and was so valuable to their campaigns, why aren't any of them here helping him as surrogates? It's been, what, 30 months?

Just a thought.

[albert]

Politics is a bitch, ain't it? You know how only a few Dems have come out strongly anti-war because they think they'll lose support/votes? I think they think the same way about Chuck's grassroots campaign, it very much throws them off, especially the fact that Chuck is not beholden to anyone nor any special interest aside from his PA constituents.