Only Televised Mayoral Debate Tonight

[Doctor_K]

The debate is basically over.  To be honest, this wasn't really a debate.  It was a timed Q&A session.

Either one of the candidates could've done more to 'get into it,' as it were.

Shame on the "moderator" (inquisitor?) and panel for not doing more to make it debate-like.

[vicupstate]

The format and rules determine to a great degree how much the candidates can engage each other.  For instance, when the candidates are able to ask each other questions, that allows for pointed questions and for weaknesses to be exposed.

Also, allowing follow-up questions or repbuttals make it harder to side step.   
   

[Captain Zissou]

I think if Brown could have started up a little back and forth, it would have knocked Hogan off his game and it would have exposed the shortcomings of Hogan's platform.  As it was, Hogan was able to just recite his prepared responses.  It wasn't until the last question that Hogan looked uncomfortable at all.

Also, Alvin had a lot of great points, but he wasn't able to fill his time with anecdotal stories like Hogan.  As such, he was forced to repeat a lot of those points to the extent that it looked like he was using them as a crutch.  He said 'take a holistic approach', 'it's not our money, it's the taxpayers money', and 'Return on Investment' like 4 times each.  Alvin did a great job, but he wasn't able to make Hogan look as bad as he could have.  Hogan escaped from this debate, but barely.

[Captain Zissou]

"So what is my vision for Jacksonville?" Hogan said. "Securing our financial future through fiscal restraint and four years of demonstrated respect by just how hard you, the taxpayer, works to provide for your family."

Hogan's basically saying the best way for us to improve is to take a 4 year period of stagnation.  Heaven help us if he gets elected.

[Jimmy]

Hogan's basically saying the best way for us to improve is to take a 4 year period of stagnation.  Heaven help us if he gets elected.

Considering that this would be on top of the last 8 years of stagnation, while our rival cities have been moving forward... Jacksonville is going to be a going-nowhere relic by 2015, if we're not already.  I'm so frustrated with this election.

[jcjohnpaint]

I agree!  Stir the pot Mr. Brown! 

Brown tried a couple of times to get into it.  But yeah, it was the most boring and least useful debate of the campaign season.  Which is sad since it was also probably the most important.

If Brown wants to win, he will need to stir the pot. Time is running out, we are almost into May.....

[Jimmy]

It's not really in Alvin's nature to stir the pot.  He's affable and really a nice guy.  I got the sense early on from him that he wouldn't put a negative spin on Mr. Hogan or his proposed policies.  He'll highlight differences, but he's just not an attack-dog type of person.

Hogan is much the same.  But Hogan has people in the media and elsewhere whispering or shouting attacks on Brown.  So, those of us who support Alvin have to be willing to take that fight up for him.  I don't think you'd ever hear Alvin say "if you like Rick Scott, you'll love Mike Hogan."  But I sure will. 

[Timkin]

Well lets Hope Hogan's approach of whispering and shouting attacks on Brown has much the same effect that Mullaney's did on Audrey Moran..   He hardly got any votes.. Serves him right. If he was a personal friend of her's at one time, If I were her, I would reconsider that friendship.

I actually Hope Brown sticks to clean tactics .. that might be to his advantage.  but make Hogan squirm any way possible without being outright nasty.

[jcjohnpaint]

I don't necessarily mean that he (Brown) needs to fight, but to change his strategy.  The thing that really bothers me (and I do believe this is a sly strategy) is Hogan's -do nothing- approach that people are so fond of.  It is like a boxer who gets a few good shots in and just runs away from his opponent not letting them get a hit for the rest of the fight.  I know Brown is a nice guy, but if he wants to win, something in his strategy has to change... and I am saying this for someone who wants Brown to win.  I mean if we are to say they are both nice guys then fine, but it does not mean they are going to be a good mayor for this city.  Hogan's strategy has proved to me he is a nice guy, but would also be a spineless mayor puke of a mayor.  If Brown is nice then fine, but I want to know he is the powerhouse we have all been waiting for!  

[ChriswUfGator]

The rules of this debate were no doubt crafted specifically to entice Hogan's participation. He knows his own weakness is that he can't open his trap for 2 minutes without saying something stupefyingly embrassing, like how he wants to bomb abortion clinics. No doubt he insisted on these rules that didn't allow pointed questions by the opposing candidate, or else he wouldn't have participated at all. Hogan's camp made sure this was all we were going to get.

As a side note, why are so many people helping Hogan in covering up the fact that he's a racist redneck? They identify?

[Timkin]

Concur JC.. I pray somehow ,someway he prevails on this, if for no other reason , watching the GOB networks jaws crash to the ground.

[Timkin]

The rules of this debate were no doubt crafted specifically to entice Hogan's participation. He knows his own weakness is that he can't open his trap for 2 minutes without saying something stupefyingly embrassing, like how he wants to bomb abortion clinics. No doubt he insisted on these rules that didn't allow pointed questions by the opposing candidate, or else he wouldn't have participated at all.

I honestly hope that statement , whether kidding or not bites him in the ass ...

[vicupstate]

Hogan's basically saying the best way for us to improve is to take a 4 year period of stagnation.  Heaven help us if he gets elected.

Considering that this would be on top of the last 8 years of stagnation, while our rival cities have been moving forward... Jacksonville is going to be a going-nowhere relic by 2015, if we're not already.  I'm so frustrated with this election.

I feel your pain, and spot on.  If Hogan wins while Moran was the alternative, it adds weight to the theory that Jacksonville is a diamond in the rough that wants to be coal. 

[urbaknight]

I was impressed that Hogan at least seems interested in port expansion. If he wins and accomplishes that expansion by 2014 to accommodate the larger ships, I might go easier on him as a politician. However, he really needs to show DT a little tlc. He did an about face on a few issues, that worries me. He may only be saying what people want to hear. Or maybe it will blow up in his face, causing him to lose votes. Let's face it, unfortunately, most of the city doesn't share the same views as we have here on this forum.

[Timkin]

Saying what people want to hear might win him one election.  I can only hope in the end the majority will go with Brown.  Of the two , I still am most impressed with him.