Congressional District 4 Debates: LiveBlog!

[Metro Jacksonville]

Congressional District 4 Debates: LiveBlog!



Tonight, the Congressional District 4 candidates will debate at 8 p.m. from Jacksonville University. Tune in on Channel 4 or live stream the debate on www.news4jax.com and join the online conversation as we live blog on metrojacksonville.com.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-aug-congressional-district-4-debates-liveblog

[TheCat]

Mic checks just concluded. K justice entertained for a bit. Seems like less people tonight the. Yesterday.

Sheriff Williams is lingering along the side aisles in full uniform.

[TheCat]

Candidates have taken the stage. There are four not three...

from the left

Bill Mcclure, Lake Ray, John Rutherford, and Hans Tanzler.

[Political MOJO]

Let's do this! Candidates are on-stage now and Kent Justice is making the same jokes as last night. Love that guy.

[spuwho]

Pollster for Rutherford called last night.

[Political MOJO]

Lake Ray fans are already getting rowdy.

[TheCat]

Let the debates begin...

Kent makes the introduction...

Rick makes his JUPPI introduction...

Per Kent, candidates who polled at 3% or higher based on a UNF poll are on the stage. There are, I think, three other candidates in this race. Kent will host them on this sunday show, "This week in Jacksonville."

[Political MOJO]

Only candidates that polled at 3% or more in the recent UNF poll were allowed to participate. Lots of electeds here tonight - Property Appraiser Jerry Holland is here (I'm sitting next to him - love talking politics with that guy!), Sheriff Mike Williams, City Councilman Jim Love....

[Political MOJO]

St. Johns County Commissioner Bill McClure starts with the small government conservative talking points. Limited gov't blah blah blah

[Political MOJO]

Lake Ray goes the same route as McClure in opening comments.

McClure now railing against taxes.

[TheCat]

Rutherford begins into with a "washington is broken" political mumbo jumbo. Terrorism is going to get you and your children.

Bill McClure: Begins with big government is bad. He's self-funded and will not accept a federal pension. An outsider

Tanzler: Another outsider. he's for term limits. outlines career puts narco-terrorist in jail. Wants to demolish obama and his policies. He's disgusted.

Ray: I'm a professional engineer. He's fed up with washington. They've forgotten us. and that we are gov. for the people by the people and something else people. He just goes down the check list of what makes a super conservative...

Nothing new here, folks. Political mumbo jumbo with nothing actually said but at least we know that government they want to be a part of is  soooooo bad.

[TheCat]

^ stephen and metedith, I think you guys can handle this.  I don't know that I have the stomach to hear 4 different candidates say the same exact thing in the same exact way. 

[TheCat]

Wow. This is a version of Rutherford that we've never seen before. Angry, rightwing and dog whistle messaging.

My thoughts exactly. I think that's why I feel instantly deflated.

McClure, I appreciate his calm cool approach.

[Political MOJO]

All agree in cutting taxes and shrinking government significantly. Shocker.

Limited government blah blah blah

I'm having a hard time figuring out who's talking since they're all saying the same things about executive overreach and the evils of big government. 

All just raised their hands and said they're supporting Trump. Jesus.

[TheCat]

They all endorse Donald trump.

Who did they originally vote for...

Rutherford: Rubio
Ray: Rubio
Tanzler: Rubio
McClure: trump

This debate is so frustrating that my MacBook just froze in protest. On my iPhone.