Kilgore's Fangs Come Out at Debate

*Both candidates were strong, confident and articulate.  Each offered a vision for Virginia which agreed on some points but overwhelmingly disagreed.  Each made a strong case for themselves and against the other candidate.  So why was Jerry Kilgore so petrified of giving ALL the citizens of Virginia, not just a bunch of rich lawyers attending a convention at one of the most exclusive, expensive resorts in the world?  In my opinion, there is no excuse for this, and Jerry Kilgore should be absolutely ashamed of himself.  But don't hold your breath, he won't be.  This man has absolutely no shame, as was strongly evidenced once again in this debate.

*One of my favorite points in the debate came towards the end, when the candidates were asked why this campaign has been so negative when they are both "such good people."  The answer by Jerry Kilgore was VERY revealing.  After an obligatory nod to Tim Kaine, thanking him for getting "in the arena" with him, Kilgore unveiled his fangs in one of the most blatant,  jarring, nasty manners I've ever seen. Instead of taking the chance to show the "kinder and gentler Jerry," if indeed there is one, Kilgore launched into a slashing attack on Kaine in just about every way and on just about every issue.  Kaine's response?  "So much for positive campaigning!"

*Kaine then proceeded to point out how the Kilgore campaign has attacked him and his supporters as "enemies of faith, family and freedom," about how Kainewill "take away your right to worship freely," etc.  Kaine stated, with sadness, that part of the reason for the negativity is that Kilgore has fought against all the reforms we have made," predicting that "it'sgoing to get more negative."  But Kaine promised to "stay on the high ground."  It's going to be tough with the Kilgore/Howell team out there, though.  These guys could go negative on a summer day or motherhood and apple pie!

*A few more examples of Kilgore's negativity included attacking Richmond, where Tim Kaine served as Mayor, as a "cesspool of corruption."  Kilgore said over and over that "I trust the people," while implying that Tim Kaine doesn't, of course. 

*Kilgore's annoying new tag line, which had audience members snickering after the second or third repetitition, apparently is either "Let me be clear" or "always have, always will."  The problem with both tag lines, aside from their annoying quality, is this:  Kilgore has neither been clear NOR consistent throughout his career.  That's a big part of his problem.  For example, what's Kilgore's stance on taxes?  It's a confused, muddled mess.  How about balancing the budget?  Who knows?  Education?  Transportation?  No clue.  We could go on and on. The point is, even after listening to him for the last 1 1/2 hours, I still don't know where Jerry Kilgore stands on important issues facing our state, unless you count his vague statements about "trusting the people" to be illuminating.  I sure don't.

*Tim Kaine directly confronted Jerry Kilgore on his opposition to everything Mark Warner and he did for our state.  In particular, Kilgore fought the budget reform act of 2004, which restored Virginia's AAA bond rating and turned the state around.  Interestingly, Kaine pointed out, even Jerry's twin brother Terry disagreed with him on this.

*Kaine accused Kilgore of attacking his religious faith, particularly on issues like abortion and the death penalty.  Tim Kaine's position on these issues is very clear:  he personally opposes abortion and the death penalty for reasons of faith, but he also takes seriously his oath as a public servant to uphold the constitution.  He is deeply committed to the sanctity of ALL life.  He believes in reducing abortion using tried and true measures, but does not believe in criminalizing womens' medical decisions mae with their doctors.  What about that does Jerry Kilgore not understand?

*Kaine once again raised the issue of why Jerry Kilgore is so afraid to get on stage in front of the television cameras and take his case to the very people he SAYS he trusts.  Kaine pointed out that if Kilgore trusted the people, as he repeated over and over again, he "wouldn't have been afraid to stand on a stage and debate George Fitch...or Russ Potts."  However, the Kilgore campaign said that TV would be a "deal breaker"  for any debates at all.  Kaine pointed out that "leaders don't hide, leaders don't duck, and leaders don't hand off tough decisions."

*Kaine pointed out that Kilgore wouldn't even agree to debate him on NRA News Radio!  That one brought a knowing laugh from the audience.

*Kilgore kept attacking Richmond, particularly its school system as "the second worst performing school district in the Commonwealth."  Kaine retorted that he improved the situation in Richmond tremendously when he was mayor, and referred to Kilgore's lack of any record of performance, achievement, cutting taxes, or just about anything.

*On gays and lesbians, Kilgore simply dodged the question.  Kaine gave a thorough, well-considered answer regarding his support for protection against discrimination and hate crimes, as well as support for allowing individuals -- whatever their sexual orientation - to adopt a child if they pass a rigorous screening process.  The key, according to Kaine, is the "best interests of the child."  Kaine also emphasized his support for marriage being defined as between a man and a woman, his opposition to civil unions, but his SUPPORT for contracts between two individuals.  Apparently, Jerry Kilgore supports allowing the state to invalidate contracts legally concluded between two Virginians, singling out homosexuals as a sort of pariah class.  Kaine called Kilgore "wrong and mean spiritied" on this issue.

*Kaine pointed out that Kilgore supports spending money on EVERYTHING while cutting taxes like there's no tomorrow ("you'll cut every tax and fund every priority").  In Kaine's view, this will drive Virginia back into "the ditch" it found itself after four years of Jim Gilmore.  It's also, Kaine pointed out, definitely NOT leadership!  Kaine said point blank that we're not going to "strike oi"l or "find gold," and given that fact you can't have something for nothing which is exactly what Kilgore is proposing. 

There's a lot more, but right now I'm going to go grab some food and will complete this account later.  In sum, I thought the debate was an excellent one in which both candidates showed who they really are - Tim Kaine a man of accomplishment and balance, Jerry Kilgore a nasty, slashing, harsh extremist.  It's just really sad that the people of Virginia were not able to see this and hear it for themselves, firsthand.  For that, they have only one person to blame, and it sure ain't Tim Kaine!

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