DebateScoop.org: Cardin vs. Steele on MTP -- liveblog

Cardin vs. Steele on MTP -- liveblog

By Ross Smith 10/29/2006 08:40:18 AM EST

Update [2006-10-29 12:52:30 by Ross Smith]: Well, it looks like Steele provided a lot of fodder if Cardin's people can use it in the coming days or in their spin. But in the debate itself, the snap judgement here is that Steele was much better. Add your own analysis.

Here it is, the last of this season's Meet the Press debates.

Based on the preview, expect a lot on stem cells, the Iraq war, and maybe even some "gotcha on the gotcha's" concerning metro line locations.

Just click in and post away . . .

Tags: MD-Sen, Meet the Press, Tim Russert, Michael Steele, Benjamin Cardin

< Cardin vs. Steele - Meet the Press Debate Preview | Striving for DC Area Voters, Steele Makes "Purple Line" an Issue >

Cardin vs. Steele on MTP -- liveblog | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)

Iraq (none / 0)

Blam. First question pins a candidate to prior statements and pins Steele's rhetoric to Bush.

Steele distances himself from the administration and Rumsfeld.

Beachhead of democracy and ally? Is that attainable? That should be the question.

Why won't he say he would vote against it knowing what he knows now? That one is easy. He sounds like he is unwilling to be straightforward.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 08:56:10 AM EST

The problem with most debates... (none / 0)

...is that the never focus on the "plan" which candidates are so eager to trumpet, but which rarely gets much scrutiny. Cardin's "plan" is vague and doesn't appear to differ all that much from anything anyone else has proposed (which itself isn't much different than the status quo).

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 08:59:55 AM EST

Cardin on Iraq (none / 0)

Bring troops home and engage int'l community? Is it enough?

The civil war point is late in the exchange.

Vote to cut off funding? Sounds like you did say that, Mr. Cardin.

Dems do best whem like Whitehouse in RI, they link Iraq to accountability, simply saying we need to have a congress that serves as a true check and balance and that Democratic control is necessary for that.

Steele could not get awy with the "bipartisan thing" if it were framed as checks and balances.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:02:20 AM EST

Steele goes on the offense... (none / 0)

Nice move to repeat the charge first advanced by Russert that Cardin would cut off funding for the troops in Iraq. Although Cardin denied the permise, Steele took control by inserting himself.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:02:37 AM EST

Cardin's plan (none / 0)

Seems to be that Steele does not have one!

Cardin voted against the war -- shows a record of good judgment.

Steele waits for Democratic plan? Cardin needs to reply, "Who is the CINC and why does he have no plan?"

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:05:17 AM EST

Steele continutes on the offense... (none / 0)

Nice job pointing out that Cardin's plan is smoke and mirrors. Overall, Steele continues to impress. He has asked more questions of Cardin than Russert (and Russert seems to be letting him run with it).

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:05:43 AM EST

Steele becomes the questioner! (none / 0)

Where's Russert? Good move by Steele.

OK, here's Russert, but his question is too vague. Steele shifts blame to Iraqi "government".

Back to ally/enemy rhetoric and Biden plan!

Cardin needs to simply say, "Who has a better shot at the Biden plan, the GOP and Bush who has already rejected it or Democrats?"

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:08:27 AM EST

"Slow march toward nothing...?" (none / 0)

That's the way Steele characterizes the Bush administration's prosecution of the war!!! The lesson here is that he seems quite capable of having it both ways. Russert's next question leads into this. He seems quite capable of associating and dissassociating SIMULTANEOUSLY with the GOP as it suits his purposes.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:10:12 AM EST

I'm a _______ Republican. (none / 0)

Lincoln always polls highly.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:12:15 AM EST

[ Parent ]

This exchange is favorable to Steele... (none / 0)

Russert appears to be off his game. Steele is doing an excellent job of controlling the agenda. Russert is softballing it.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:13:59 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: Steele's anecdotal comments reveal... (none / 0)

...how his brain works. He understands what it means to package an idea. He proved this with respect to the bumper stickers and he proved it again with "Ben's Washington." He is thinking out loud here - not only does it make his point, it also illuminates how he thinks and why he has an edge in getting out his message.
by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:17:28 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Steele hides from his party label (none / 0)

That is a point liberal bloggers have been making for months.

Steele says he is not running away from it, just doing what other candidates do.

A party insider now trying to claim the bipartisan high ground.

No longer a proud Bush Republican.

"Steele Democrat" bumper sticker! Does not have a "Steele Republican" bumper sticker.

Russert gets him on the caucus with Republicans if elected.

Catches him on NCLB.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:14:28 AM EST

Steele getting way more time (none / 0)

total time favoring Steele so far.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:15:20 AM EST

Cardin playing defense (none / 0)

saying he can work with Republicans. No need for that.

Cardin is also falling into tossing random stuff out there.

Finally answers what we would investigate (not very well) and brings it back to bipartisan?!

Inarticulate.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:17:52 AM EST

Half way point... (none / 0)

...and Steele is way ahead. Cardin appears to have no strategic agenda for message control. He also has been poorly coached on how to use this format to your advantage.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:20:30 AM EST

Quickie halftime scorecard (none / 0)

Steele winning, Russert second, Cardin third.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:23:53 AM EST

Adopt an embryo? (none / 0)

How would you do that?

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:30:10 AM EST

Stem Cells (none / 0)

Steele said the M.J. Fox ad is deceptive and tasteless??????

Russert's question is useless -- of course there is a difference.

Tasteless?? Steele does not answer that half.

Deceptive? Now Steele is saying Cardin votes against?

Cardin needs to call Steele deceptive. Steele gets away with calling Cardin rude and then gets away with becoming the cross-examiner again!!!

Steele on NIH claim that embryonic research has more potential: "less stable" (that argument is one for more, not less because need more lines.

Taking a life? Fertility clinics discard them. Steele says he won't close down the clinics. Steele is very smooth.

Cardin needs to do Russert's job like Steele did and ask questions of Steele.

It is astonishing that Cardin cannot cash in better on the MJ Fox ad.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:32:18 AM EST

Abortion? (none / 0)

Steele's answer to this is incoherent...

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:33:57 AM EST

: Parental consent (none / 0)

Tough question from Russert. Cardin tries to go on offense in his response, but fails - gets bogged down and never makes a point. Comes back and agrees to parental notification.
by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:35:14 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Abortion? (none / 0)

Steele seems to care less about fetuses than embryos in petri dishes!

Door is open, Ben.

Instead, he gets defensive on Russert's question about parental notification. Russert seems to know more about that than Cardin.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:35:37 AM EST

Affirmative action (none / 0)

Russert's research was good and he was quick to get to it. Seemed to know that the Clarence Thomas question would prompt Steele to go in the direction of affirmative action as a point of disagreement between Steele and Thomas.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:40:22 AM EST

Steele distancing himself from the religous (none / 0)

fundamentalist positions that the "values voters" are about to hear ads about.

Cardin better on judges -- points out that he took a position on Alito.

Steele has been very wishy washy in this segment.

Russert catches him on affirmative action, but Steele smoothly wriggles off the hook by associating himself with a mentor.

Cardin makes no inroads with his vague "we have a way to go" statement.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:40:46 AM EST

Budget (none / 0)

Steele filibusters without saying where he would cut, then distances himself from his party again.

Cardin lets Steele control the questioning at the end. Again.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:42:32 AM EST

Final thoughts... (none / 0)

...not much different than the play-by-play. Steele wins walking away. Cardin did little to distinguish himself in this forum. Russert was wearing kid gloves relative to some of his earlier performances.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/29/2006 09:43:53 AM EST

: Agree, except (none / 0)

with regard to Russert. He asked tough questions but did not ride to the rescue of Cardin.
Be the debater you want to see.
by Ross Smith on 10/29/2006 09:56:58 AM EST

[ Parent ]