Monday, September 27, 2004
Tonight's debate between Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr featured two earnest men competing to succeed John Edwards in the US Senate. The debate was skillfully moderated by NC native Carl Kasell, allowing both candidates to get their points across and their licks in at their opponent's expense.
At times, each candidate sounded nervous. Bowles referred to helping 20 million North Carolinians getting health care (he quickly corrected this to Americans), and Burr erroneously referred to Bowles' previous tenure in Congress.
Burr made effective points about Bowles' role in passing NAFTA and a 15 cent per pack tax increase on cigarettes. Bowles painted himself an independent thinker and noted that Burr votes with his party 96% of the time.
While no single moment stood out strongly, I thought Bowles best moment was saying that today's deficits "are little more than a tax on our kids." I was also impressed that Burr acknowledged voting one way on an issue in contrast to a previous campaign position, noting that peoples views can change over time.
All in all, the candidates acted maturely and sincerely, and I would call it a draw.
At times, each candidate sounded nervous. Bowles referred to helping 20 million North Carolinians getting health care (he quickly corrected this to Americans), and Burr erroneously referred to Bowles' previous tenure in Congress.
Burr made effective points about Bowles' role in passing NAFTA and a 15 cent per pack tax increase on cigarettes. Bowles painted himself an independent thinker and noted that Burr votes with his party 96% of the time.
While no single moment stood out strongly, I thought Bowles best moment was saying that today's deficits "are little more than a tax on our kids." I was also impressed that Burr acknowledged voting one way on an issue in contrast to a previous campaign position, noting that peoples views can change over time.
All in all, the candidates acted maturely and sincerely, and I would call it a draw.
