Nolan at LP blog:
A four-way debate between Sen. John McCain, Libertarian David Nolan and a couple of other guys will be televised LIVE on KTVK-3 in Phoenix tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm. It will also be carried on KTTU-3 in Tucson. If you live outside those two cities, it will be streamed online at http://www.azfamily.com/
Note from Paulie: One of the other guys is Green Party candidate Jerry Joslyn.
I thought David Nolan was extremely effective in the debate. All of the candidates were effective in their own ways, but David more than held his own. Here are some of the things he did very well:
-Attacked both the Democrat (Glassman?) and Republican McCain with strong arguments that neither of them bothered to try to rebut, because they almost certainly couldn’t; anyone watching David as a representative of libertarianism would have clearly seen that the libertarian approach is neither left nor right, but something different than either side; the “radical middle”
-Measured his time well, using all that he was allotted as far as I could tell (while I didn’t time them, it generally seemed like he was speaking for at least as long as the others) without being so windy that the moderator ever cut him off before he’d been able to make a clear argument
-Again and again brought the conversation back to the big picture and zeroed in on a few key points, without letting himself get distracted by the less relevant things the other candidates said which could have become red herrings for a less discerning
-Like Ron Paul, conveyed a sense of humility and sincerity by showing his passion for the content of his message without talking about himself or inflating his own role, but simply being the messenger
-Made a point of trying to answer the questions asked
-Delivered some fairly radical ideas in ways that sounded generally sensible and practical
If there’s an area where I think David could improve his TV style, it would be to mix it up by being a little less rigid and rapid-fire from time to time. Showing he has a sense of humor if possible, and also looking into the camera more.
Those are my reactions from the first 3/4 or so of the debate. I haven’t yet seen the final segment and closing arguments, because the video link for part 4 of 4 seemed not to be functioning. If anyone has a working link to that final segment, I’d appreciate you posting it.
I was especially glad, btw, that David explicitly told the audience to listen how general and vague the Democrat (Glassman?)’s remarks were. That guy’s personality is kind of scary. David may be the one with the marketing background, but the Democrat came across as a very packaged product, but packaged in a way that could even appeal to young people with good smarminess-detectors — brimming with fake authenticity, bon homme, and slick one-liners. It’s questionable whether getting rid of McCain only to replace him with this happy empty suit who could become quite formidable as an incumbent would even be a step forward.
It was awesome when David called McCain out on his “evil” bill authorizing indefinite, warrantless detentions and McCain had to sit there and listen to the truth about what a fascist-minded warrior he is.
The debate itself was a delight — a strong format that addressed important issues and gave the candidates enough time to speak to them in some depth. Not to mention the Libertarian and Green candidates being included — the fact that this happens so infrequently is a sad commentary on democracy in America. I’ll bet McCain and Glassman really hated having Nolan and the Green candidate Joslyn there making them look like the empty-promised upholders of the corrupt status quo that they are. Like Robert Milnes I am curious as to how it came to be.
Anyway, I thought David Nolan came across as a real contender and did the Libertarian Party proud.
I just watched the third segment. Glassman was a great orator but they were right that he was avoiding specifics- although for such empty speeches he made some mistakes, like mentioning endorsements from the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and one other liberal interest group.
Joslyn was the weakest speaker up there, although he understood what he stood for you could tell that it was difficult to articulate it and time it just right.
McCain was also a pretty weak speaker, but he did hit on the right themes with the content as far as winning the race was concerned (Military service, sidestepping direct attacks, etc). But it wasn’t impressive by any leap of the mind.
Nolan had some weak spots, but overall he was a pretty effective debater. He focused on both of his opponents and kept his speeches on topic and concise.
OK, just watched the debate on http://www.azfamily.com
Hosteded by KTVK-3TV, it is the only such debate.
All are highly qualified & I didn’t see any decisive winner or loser. Not enough time or issues for that really.
My advice stands. Nolan call press conference. Ask the Green to withdraw & endorse you & campaign with you. You in turn will support Greens when there is no Libertarian on the ballot.
& try to coordinate with the Illinois governor race/Whitney-Green. He could ask the Libertarian to withdraw etc. citing the Nolan/Joslyn instance
JT, I didn’t write #2.
Robert E. Milnes, which is in reality my father’s name, has been posting shit.
Got me wondering where its IP traces back to.
You can vote in Arizona, Milnes? How?
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I’m watching the debate online now. I give Nolan some serious props – he’s very good!
I also think Jerry Joslyn for the Green Party was good, a small businessman with a military background.
Has anyone been able to find the stream link yet? I’m gonna run out for a few and hope someone answers this question.
We’ll be listening from California! Good luck!
Good luck David Nolan !
More importantly what are they going to do to earn my one dispositive vote and solely necessary campaign dollar?
“…and a couple of other guys…”.
Cute, David. I assume the other is the democrat.
Something important is left out David. How did this debate come about? Who sponsors it? How did McC & the dem get deigned to debate with the other guys?