Northup, Fletcher & Harper in a mild "slugfest" in last televised debate.
Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidates, Anne Northup, Ernie Fletcher and Billy Harper, went on the offensive during their second and last televised debate. Watch the KET video debate last night and share your thoughts with us. You can also read Ryan Alessi's piece and Joe Gerth's excellent report on the debate. In the debate, Fletcher touted his accomplishments, Northup (sometimes joined by Harper) demurred. Northup accused Fletcher of presenting an "embellished record" in campaign ads and speeches and of "... perfect example[s] of not having a personal ethical standard".
When Harper and Northup accused Fletcher's 2005 tax plan (the Alternative MAXIMUM Tax -- according to Billy Harper!) of raising taxes on small businesses, cigarettes, alcohol and cable television, Fletcher fired back and noted that Northup voted for (the largest tax increase in Kentucky history, according to Fletcher) as a part of the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA).
Billy Harper repeated his assertion of a need for greater leadership from the governor's office -- accusing the Governor of ignoring people but "trotting around the state" during an election -- and criticized Fletcher's record on taxes, noting that he signed off on $4 billion in debt over his term -- more than any governor in state history!
Continuing, Harper mentioned that he is the only candidate to sign the Washington-based conservative group -- Americans for Tax Reform's -- no tax pledge, which Fletcher said he signed in the past and has honored (though the group, Americans for Tax Reform, found that he broke the pledge and added him to its "Hall of Shame") and Northup replied that she had a conservative record on taxes and didn't want "any outside group from Washington dictating Kentucky's policies".
I think Northup did particularly well in this debate by succeeding in putting her opponents on the defensive. What do you think?
When Harper and Northup accused Fletcher's 2005 tax plan (the Alternative MAXIMUM Tax -- according to Billy Harper!) of raising taxes on small businesses, cigarettes, alcohol and cable television, Fletcher fired back and noted that Northup voted for (the largest tax increase in Kentucky history, according to Fletcher) as a part of the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA).
Billy Harper repeated his assertion of a need for greater leadership from the governor's office -- accusing the Governor of ignoring people but "trotting around the state" during an election -- and criticized Fletcher's record on taxes, noting that he signed off on $4 billion in debt over his term -- more than any governor in state history!
Continuing, Harper mentioned that he is the only candidate to sign the Washington-based conservative group -- Americans for Tax Reform's -- no tax pledge, which Fletcher said he signed in the past and has honored (though the group, Americans for Tax Reform, found that he broke the pledge and added him to its "Hall of Shame") and Northup replied that she had a conservative record on taxes and didn't want "any outside group from Washington dictating Kentucky's policies".
I think Northup did particularly well in this debate by succeeding in putting her opponents on the defensive. What do you think?
Labels: Kentucky politics, Public Service, Republicanism
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 8:30 AM
6 Comments:
Northup won....hands down.
Northup was a side show. Loftus asked the Governor liberal but constructive questions, while Stamper advanced his personal agenda in attacks on the Governor. The Governor did an amazing job answering attacks from four sides, while Northup, to her credit, did not screw up her cakewalk. Even Billy has evolved as a candidate and did as well as I've seen him, but the Governor was Daniel in the Lion's Den and answered every ridiculous charge from his opponents and Stamper's boneheaded lies well and with grace.
Daniel in the Lion's Den???? What the hell is it with all these religious references?? This is an election, not a revival.
I do NOT know about any Daniel in the Lion's Den here; but, in the true Biblical story there was an Angel in there with Daniel. Now do me a favor and leave any Angel(s) out of (this here) your opportunistic story!
You make a fine clarification Osi. There was certainly "Angel" present helping Fletcher, he was indeed by himself against those four. I revise my earlier statement thustly.
no angel. I don't know where the 'no' went.
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