FL: Davis-Crist first debate Tuesday, October 24, 2006 for Governorship

[seafan]

Who Will Win Gov Debate?

By Brian E. Crowley | Monday, October 23, 2006



Jim Davis, Democrat


Charlie Crist, Republican


Ditto, Republican

Jim Davis finally will have a chance Tuesday night to dispel the notion that he cannot defeat Charlie Crist in the race for governor.

For the first time since becoming the Democratic nominee, Davis will be standing on the same stage with Crist, the Republican nominee. They both will be looking at the cameras. They both will have a lot to lose as they begin their first statewide television debate.

snip

Jim Krog, who managed Chiles’ 1994 campaign, said Tuesday’s event “may be the most important debate in a campaign since 1994.”

In Krog’s view, it could all come down to which candidate makes the biggest blunder.

“Every candidate makes mistakes in debates, but you try not to make a critical mistake,” Krog said. “If one of them makes a critical mistake, it gets played in the news until the second debate and changes the expectations of that debate.”
That means if Davis comes on strong and Crist were to make a “critical mistake,” the momentum of the governor’s race could begin shifting to Davis. If Davis stumbles, it would be even harder for him to make a comeback.

Since winning the Republican nomination Sept. 5, Crist has avoided making joint appearances with Davis to prevent Davis from getting the publicity that would result from the two of them appearing together.
Instead, Crist has relied on saturating television with his campaign ads. Crist began his ads shortly after the primary. Davis didn’t get on the air until October.

Crist’s front-runner status also allowed him to call the shots for the debates. When Davis called for four single-issue debates, Crist ignored him. When Davis insisted that their second televised debate be an informal chat between them and host Chris Matthews of MSNBC’s Hardball, Crist again said, “no,” forcing Davis to accept a rigid format in which they would stand at podiums and answer questions.

snip

“Most people in South Florida probably think Crist is a Democrat,” because of his populist campaign, said Rorapaugh (a Democratic activist). “Davis needs to tag Crist for what he is, a Republican, and not let him blur that fact.”

Oh, we won't let people forget, Mr. Rorapaugh. No worries.







We've seen some great Democrats in these parts, Charlie.


Reubin Askew


Bob Graham




Lawton Chiles.


Sorry, Charlie, but you are no Democrat.

[justinrr1]

1. davis needs our help

great post seafan! Crist was given the nickname "Chain Gang" Charlie but he has been acting more like "Chicken Shit" Charlie. I hope Davis cleans his clock in the debate. I dont know how it is in the rest of the state, but here in the tampa area there is not nearly as much coverage of this race as there should be. I was happy to see the quinnipiac poll showing davis only down 2%, but then right after another poll came out showing him further down. I have given as much as I can to his campaign. He would make a great governor and he desperately needs funds. There is also a link on his website where you can get a list of numbers to call. Its an easy way to help from the comfort of your own home.


www.jimdavis2006.com

just think of how this country might be different if we had a democrat in floridas governors mansion in 2000.

[seafan]

2. Welcome to DU, justinrr1, and thank you! We're entering the home stretch.

Buckle up!