Or at least he didn't know Jack. After playing possum for the most of the first few months of the race, Sen. Jefferson Smith of Mount Vernon is coming on strong. Did I say Jefferson Smith? I meant Jack Goodman, but if anything, Jack Goodman reminded me of the character Jimmy Stewart played in the 1939 classic, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."He's so earnest," a local media sort told me after tonight's debate at Missouri Southern State University concluded. if you closed your eyes, you could imagine Goodman fighting the lobbyists to set up a camp for underprivileged children. Through his advertising and his appearances, Goodman is rapidly shedding the "lawyer" label his opponents have tried to stick him with and is coming off across as a sincere candidate. He could be Billy Long's biggest nightmare.
Goodman, who shined in Monday night's forum in Springfield, had the best debate among the eight Republicans, though he probably has to share top honors with Jeff Wisdom. Wisdom is not going to win this race, but he has made enough of a favorable impression that if he wants to continue in politics, he won't have any trouble finding support.
Another winner was Billy Long. As I wrote earlier, the most important thing for Long tonight was not to make a major gaffe. He came close at the beginning of the forum when he answered a question about Afghanistan by saying, " I can't answer it if I don't understand it," but he on his game the rest of the evening. He hit his talking points, as usual, but he also let more of the good old boy personality work its way into his answers, and judging from the response of the crowd, it was appreciated.
Gary Nodler needed a knockout and he didn't get it. For a brief time, he slipped into his old "Let me show how much I know and you don't" routine, but it was only for a brief time. Nodler's best moments were stressing his experience and saying he wanted to stop rewarding businesses for sending jobs overseas.
Michael Wardell was much improved over Monday night. Tonight, he did not mention one time how all of his opponents were right, but instead related his positions. He didn't win any votes, but he showed he was not out of his element.
That leaves those who came in on the wrong side of the ledger:
Michael Moon- Perhaps it is just because I am a public schoolteacher, but Moon's comments about how well he had done homeschooling his children didn't sit well with me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with homeschooling and many children have thrived in such situations, but to talk about how cheap, but to talk about how cost effective it is really seemed out of place in this forum.
Darrell Moore- Sad to say, but the Greene County prosecutor sounds like he is ready for all of this to be over. The enthusiasm was lacking.
Steve Hunter- Anyone hoping for a bold Tea Party statement from Hunter walked away disappointed. He delivered some of his old red meat lines, but for the most part he sounded tired.
Other winners:
The Joplin Globe and KOAM- The questions were professional with no KWTO talk show hosts attempting to draw attention to themselves. The pace was also much better than Monday night. It was obvious that Globe Editor Carol Stark and her staff took this forum seriously. The questioners, Merle Allen representing the public, Lisa Olliges from KOAM and the Globe's Andy Ostmeyer, Susan Redden, and Alexandra Nicholas (who also represented The Chart) asked solid questions, with Ostmeyer honing in during follow-up questions.
Eli Yokley- The Joplin Fuse creator has been in his element covering the Seventh District rate and he is not as full of himself as that guy at The Turner Report.
Judy Stiles- It would be hard to find someone to moderate that event with more grace and authority than Ms. Stiles.
Some thoughts about the Democratic candidates in a few moments.
8 comments:
Randy has an interesting take on Nodler. Randy said that Nodler needed a "knockout" but that he had to achieve it without showing that he knew more or was better prepared than the other candidates. These forums are intended to let us learn which candidate is best prepared, also which one "knows the most". Why would Randy think Nodler should not demonstrate better knowledge than the others, isn't that the point of having the debates in the first place?
This is just Randy being Randy (not randy). It is his blog and he can continue his assault on Mr. Nodler because he is just Randy being Randy.
I, too, attended the event at MSSU event and was impressed with the format,the questions, the panel, the facilities and the depth of attention paid to the candidates by the audience.
I left the forum realizing that three candidates, Mr. Moore, Mr. Nodler and Dr. Davis have the vision; understand the big picture of national and international affairs; and have the knowledge, life skills, and experience to represent this district to the degree we deserve.
I make this statement with the utmost respect for all of the candidates. They have made a commitment to serve that should be appreciated by all of us.
When I read negative comments about anyone running for public office, I ask myself if that person could best serve in place of the person seeking the office.
In this case, I believe Mr. Turner could have been on the one of the candidates on the stage and answered all of the questions wisely. But, would not have met the criteria I have set for my Congressman with that criteria being met by Mr. Moore, Mr. Nodler and Dr. Davis.
It was a great evening on the MSSU campus, a beautiful place as those of us who chose to attend, participated in a process under attack in many places in the world.
I think Randy was referring to Mr. Nodler's well-documented propensity to come off as an arrogant jerk. If he is smarter and better prepared than everyone else, great. In the past, however, he has tried to demonstrate his cleverness in a very condescending way which undoubtedly turns off voters.
Elect Goodman and you'll be living with him for the next 50 years. This young lawyer is an aspiring career politician. He is more interested in the acquisition of power than representing the people of his district. Look at his conduct in Jefferson City. Examine his friendship with Marilyn Ruestman. If you insist on electing a sleazy politician then vote for Nodler. At least he has experience.
I never thought of Nodler's relatively short life expectancy as a reason to vote for him, but it probably would be one of the more positive things about a Congressman Nodler.
I believe Mr. Nodler is best prepared to go and do the job and can be a part of the new Republican leadership in Congress.
If he doesn't get the job done, we can send his rear packing in two years.
I believe he and Hunter have taken an eight-year term limit pledge much similiar to what Hancock did????
Interesting Wisdom wasn't mentioned. Unmemorable performance?
Check again. Wisdom is mentioned near the top of the post and came off well Tuesday night.
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