McMahon calls out Blumenthal in final debate … and wins going away – Update – Shorter video
The subheading on this one should be “Shhhhhhhhhhhh”. Feisty crowd, feisty McMahon and a Blumenthal who pretty much put me to sleep. But there were some classic moments, as you’ll see.
I’ll have another post later but here’s a quick recap. Right out of the gate Blumenthal was asked one more time about how jobs were created. A little more lucid this time but government is still the answer. McMahon’s retort, and I’m paraphrasing … nice to know you’ve been working on your answer Mr Blumenthal.
But I think the best was saved for last. As you’ll hear Blumenthal lights the fuse when he claims he can’t be bought by the special interest campaign contributions he’s taken. “The people of Connecticut know me.” It was all Linda needed to hear … Paraphrasing, “Indeed they do.” It was off to the races for everyone including the crowd.
The middle portion is Blumenthal’s denial that he supported cap and tax. The answer is weak, but the fireworks follow at 3:30.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp-ZmTpgHnY
More later and on tomorrow morning’s show.
UPDATE: I realize the video in context is a bit long and Blumenthal begins his rant on cap and trade … so I have produced a shorter version cutting out the cap and trade and stays on point. You have both as we always look to stay in context, but if you are looking to save time … the money section is below.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLa288xjMkY
“I won’t be lectured to by a woman …. ” ? Is this is Rick his Lazio moment?
I didn't support McMahon in the primary and I'm sorry I didn't. She's a firecracker. I am amazed what a HORRIBLE candidate Blumenthal has been. Please keep the protein and carbs away from him so he stays lethargic.
I also, did not support Linda in the Primary but she has won me over. I have seen her before, but in a debate she is on fire. Her answers were clear about job creation, the trade inbalance with China and why it is not fair to let Unions not be named when they donate to candidates and businesses must. Linda won hands down.
Those who pull Blummie's strings have to work on his speed of speech delivery…perhaps the teleprompter can come to the minor leagues and hone up on its skills.
If I hear about Torrington fuel cells one more time….. Is this a commercial for them or does Blummie think they will single handedly fix the job market?
This moderator was the worst that I have ever seen, any sound that the audience made she would interrupt. Doing that crap encouraged it. She was terrible and should not waste candidate time like that.
Unfortunately I don't think that there are enough people paying attention. He will hide away for the next 3 weeks and probably end up winning. If he shows his face the next 3 weeks then he loses.
<!–[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 <![endif]–>
I too did not support Linda at the beginning. I was pulling for Simmons. This woman has earned my respect and my support. I saw only the last fifteen minutes or so of tonight’s debate, and the way she handles herself I have to believe that we couldn’t do any better than Linda McMahon to represent Connecticut in the US Senate. She’s tough, but at the same time she’s genuine and sincere. I hope that Blumenthal doesn’t get too much credit because now we’re in the good times.
I realize the economy is the main issue of the moment, but might there not have been at least one question each on immigration and the terror threat? Senators should be vetted on foreign policy issues as well as economic ones.
I wanted Schiff in the primary but can you imagine the snoozfest if he and Blumey were to debate? McMahon mopped the floor with the "fighter".
Jim, went to the debate last night…the mood of the crowd was clearly pro-Linda and anti-Dick. Ann Nyberg was a HORRIBLE moderator–behaved more like a lousy kindergarten teacher than a moderator and called Linda McMahon "Mrs. Blumenthal"!!!!! She also allowed for more than a little crowd support of Blumenthal, but instantly shushed any support for McMahon. However, Linda's supporters wouldn't be silenced. (a-HEM)
As far as I'm concerned, Dick did not answer the questions put to him…went off on tangents that were more like poorly thought out talking points, and no one cared to hear his smarmy comments about WWE. That's when the crowd lost all patience with him. The man would do well to learn how to focus on the question at hand instead of thinking ahead to what he wants to say next.
'Twas the first live political debate I've been to, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. If the enthusiasm for Linda last night is any indication of what's coming on 11/2, I firmly believe she's headed to D.C.
Jim, having watched online, I come away thinking Linda kept EVERYTHING under control and organized. Richard on the other hand, still looked not too organized and would seem to answer anything with statements coming close to saying I sued my way to helping the people of Connecticut. Just a few thoughts after watching online.
What you witnessed by Linda is what's known as the Atomic Pile Driver.
I thought his head looked like a bright orange pumpkin. Truly lousy makeup artists (his neck was normal. For him, that is).
I though he sounded at least as good as Alvin Greene in that recent interview with Lawrence O'Donnell! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HER2pGdAak) O'Donnell was so entranced, he said he was going to vote for Greene. I guess that's how Øbama got elected…
Dims, to be fair. Do you know how hard it is to put makeup on a pencil?
As we all know Blumenthal is a career politician, a confirmed liar and a person who knows nothing about real jobs, creating jobs, entreperneralship, etc. oh, buy the way, I learned about this free enterprise process in Buisness 101 some years ago. I wonder how much he know or don't know about Supply and Demand process and competition works. How could anyone in their right mind could think suing big buisnesses creates jobs? What an imposter. Also, during last night's debate is the best he can do is attack the WWE?
Al
Wow-title of this post concludes that McMahon won! Wow-what a shock!
She did…maybe if you watch the debate, -os, you may have an educated opinion of your own about the outcome. But you admitted you did not watch it. So how can you judge anyone who either was there or watched and came away with the impression that Linda wiped the floor with Blumenthal?
I did watch a room full of people cheering about Blumenthal winning. Proof positive that debates change no one's mind-are watched only by supporters.
Proof positive that people hear what they want to hear. You can't critically say that Rambo's performance was anything close to stellar. I can't see how it helped his numbers much.
I agree that mostly supporters and politics wonks watch these things. Most people were watching NCIS or cable and wait for the newsrooms to digest it for them. Kind of sad when you think about it.
It is a little sad, but what many Independants will take away is indeed the headline – which is nothing but a positive thing. I thought Blum'o Lantern was his usual stolid self, and not able to sell any of his hackneyed wares effectively. He won't lose his hard core support, but he did himself no favors.
Regarding Simmons as a candidate; If he couldn't beat Joe Courtney, how could he have beaten Blumenthal? I believe Simmons was in the Congress that soured people on the Republicans. I remember his franked mail he sent out always told us about what federal funds he was bringing back to Connecticut. Other than the Electric Boat stuff, everything else was pretty small, but still, why was it the federal government's responsibility to pay for sidewalks for Norwich. With conservatives soured on the pork, it left the openings for Democrats. While I would have slightly preferred Peter Schiff, McMahon is the only one of the three who has a good chance of winning in this state.
Blumenthal always says he is helping the people. It seems like half of his lawsuits were in response to something appearing in the Hartford Courant. He can't even do his own research. I never thought I would see him as totally unprepared for prime time as I did last night. I only hope that our undecided voters watched.
<cite>pauldow,</cite>I'm fairly certain that Simmons did slightly better than Schiff in the primary.
Did not watch, but will vote. Another likely voter who has not been polled.
Nothing earth shattering ……….McMahon is a negative campaigner …………Blumenthal can't tell the truth ..lied about Vietnam and a fund raiser in Calgary ………ok..now what …………..she will lower taxes ,shrink government….will not circumvent the will of the people.How will she accomplish that????more empty promises …I didn't hear anything concrete from McMahon. What about FUNDING MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY….nothing yet.
Great job Jim! Congratulations on your show and blog.
Not too many Blue Menthol signs to be found in the Farmington Valley. I think Dems are now too embarrassed to put them out!
Go Linda!
p.s. – I hope Pelosi's Lapdog Chris Murphy gets ousted as well. I can not wait to vote on Nov. 2nd!
@rickyrock…you forgot to bring up Blumenthal's tired technique of bringing up WWE (nothing to do with this senate race whatsoever) when he has nothing pertinent to say about the issues. That and his penchant for improvising when he can't or won't answer a question.
I would love to hear McMahon's AND Blumenthal's plans for medicare, social security, & even illegal immigration. Alas, those questions were not asked. And the panel lobbed just a few more easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy questions at Blumenthal than they did to McMahon.