Red State Rebels

Live Blogging Tonight's U.S. Senate Debate in Idaho Falls

Hi all,

It's great to be here at Red State Rebels!  I'm Erick Gray with the LaRocco campaign, and I'm here in Idaho Falls live blogging tonight's U.S. Senate debate between Larry and Rex Rammell.  It's the 6th debate in the U.S. Senate race, part of Larry's commitment to reach out to every voter and make sure they know that he is the candidate who will bring real change to Idaho and put Idaho families first.

I'll be live blogging the debate below, starting at 7pm MT.  Stay tuned...

8:12 pm Closing remarks.

8:06 pm Rammell says that unions are the reasons jobs have gone overseas. Larry says that education is the key to keeping jobs in America, along with keeping unions and strenghtening the middle class.

7:57 pm Rammell has just compared Larry to a communist. He has stated that goverment has way too much control.

7:53 pm Larry says we should harmonize healthcare.

7:40 pm Rammell has just stated that healcare is not a right. He has stated that it is on the individual to get health insurance. He has also stated that those with out health insurance should be refused.

7:40 Each Canidate was given one chance to ask the other a question : Larry checked on Rammell's father. Rammell asked Larry where does the federal governmants role end when it comes to states rights? Larry says eduaction is a good place to draw the line. Larry says he is very careful on gorvernmant involvement.

7:38 pm Rammell has just called Obama and McCain  socialists.

7:36 pm Larry has stated that he is willing to stand up to any president for What is best for Idaho.

7:30 pm Did the troop surge work? Larry wants a plan for withdrawl, and he say we need a surge in diplomacy. Rammell states that the war would have been over if the enemy didn't see split positions on the war.

7:28 pm As far as phylisophy Rammel has Identified himself with Risch's view. He has just stated also that Risch is deceptive.

7:26 pm Larry says that he is not running because the conservative ticket is split. When he started There were many many people in the primary race before he even knew who Ricsh and Rammel were.

7:23 pm Rammel states that he is running because of his elk, and he thinks he has what it takes to be the next Idaho State Senator.

7:20 pm Rammel says the free market will fix healthcare system. Rammell says the government has no constituional right to be in healthcare.

7:18 pm Larry states that healthcare will be our next crisis. He is for a universal healthcare system.

7:15 2nd question is about drilling. Rammell says that he supports gas, nuclear, and the rest. Larry supports alternative sources and nuclear, and to move anyway from a dependence on oil.

7:11 pm First question: Do You Spport the Bail Out  plan. Larry says that he supports it as he has stated in previous statements.

Rammell does not support the bail out, concerned about giving the goverment too much power.

7:09 pm Rammell states that he is running as an Independent because he is upset with the Republican party and that they are playing games.

7:06 pm Larry has just stressed the importance of service to the community 

7:02 pm Risch was invited by Neil Larson who is moderating. He unfortunately could not attend.   

7:00 pm Canidates have taken their seats and Larry looks calm and ready to go.

Live Blogging the U.S. Senate Debate from Lewiston

Hi everybody,

This is Cyrus Osborn with the LaRocco campaign.  I'm here in Lewiston blogging the U.S. Senate debate with Democrat Larry LaRocco, Independent Rex Rammell, and -- for the first time -- Republican Jim Risch.  We're glad that, in this 5th debate, Jim Risch finally decided to show up and debate!

I'll be live blogging the debate below.  Here we go...

7:30pm: And that's the closing bell!  LaRocco is ready to fight for working families, Risch is ready to fight for big oil, and Rammell is ready to take down the U.S. Department of Education.

7:26pm: LaRocco talks to Idahoans; Risch reads from a script.

7:16pm: Rammell calls Risch a conservative, centrist, liberal.

7:11pm: LaRocco wants to create jobs in Idaho and protect our environment.  Rammell doesn't buy global warming.  Risch doesn't say much.

7:08pm: Risch says we need an energy plan, but he doesn't have one!

7:00pm: Larry is the only candidate with a plan on Iraq and national security... among many other things.

6:58pm: Risch struggles to explain why he snubbed the students at U of I and C of I.

6:53pm: Rammell says U.S. Department of Education is unconstitutional.

6:48pm: LaRocco hits Risch on raising food tax while showing a strong understanding of the farm bill.

6:45pm: Red-on-red assault: Rammell gets nasty on Risch not being a TRUE conservative!

6:42pm: LaRocco speaks truth on his strong record defending North Central Idaho.

6:38pm: Larry brings the rescue package home to Main Street with Simmons Sanitation.

6:33pm: LaRocco is introduced as the only veteran and as the only candidate with federal experience in the race.

6:30pm: LaRocco is on stage looking strong and relaxed.

6:25pm: Coin Toss -- LaRocco's first victory of the night!

Wrap Up:

Tonight's debate was a HUGE win for Larry!  Thanks to all of you for checking out my live blog from Lewiston.  We'll post a link to the online video of tonight's debate as soon as we've got it.

Thanks again, and good night from Lewiston!

Streaming live at 7 MT: U.S. Senate debate

The debate has concluded. Here's a link to the archived footage.

LaRocco has economic plan; debate set tonight

Four of the five Idaho candidates for the U.S. Senate will appear together tonight for a debate at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. The event is set for 7 to 8 p.m. in Jewett Auditorium. We'll have the live feed on here at Red State Rebels at 7 Mountain/6 Pacific, but Treasure Valley residents may want to check out this one in person, especially since it features not just Democrat Larry LaRocco and Independent Rex Rammell, but Libertarian candidate Kent Marmon, and the single issue candidate “Pro-Life” (formerly known as Marvin Richardson). Political economy professor Jasper LiCalzi will moderate.

Of course, Republican Jim Risch will be a no-show, as usual ... just in case anyone had any doubt.

Meanwhile, Larry yesterday announced his economic plan, "America's Path to Recovery and Prosperity." Speaking with reporters in Boise yesterday, he said, "My prescription for the economy is one-two-three: first solve the immediate crisis on Wall Street, then tackle energy independence and health insurance. If we get to work and put partisan politics aside, we should be able to accomplish these things in the first 100 days of the next Congress."

As the intro to his plan (available online) says, LaRocco "has more than 30 years experience in the financial services industry, including four years on the House Banking Committee. Larry LaRocco is uniquely qualified to understand the current crisis on Wall Street and to formulate effective solutions."

Idaho GOP wants to abolish Federal Reserve

Idaho Democratic Party executive director Jim Hansen reminds us all at the state party website that the state Republican Party is on record as wanting to abolish the Federal Reserve. A snip:

There are few people alive who remember the 1929 stock market crash and the devastating depression that followed. If Idaho Republicans got their way, a crash of similar or greater impact would have happened this month.

It is clear that years of irresponsible lending fueled by Republican economic deregulation policies has accelerated into a dizzying series of near-disasters in the global economy. To put on the brakes and prevent the economy from completely derailing, our government must turn to a tool that Franklin D. Roosevelt created during the Depression: The Federal Reserve.

Read it all here. Jim raises an interesting question: Do Bill Sali, Jim Risch, Mike Simpson, Mike Crapo, Larry Craig, Butch Otter, and other Idaho Republicans actually stand behind this plank in the state GOP platform? Also, isn't it interesting how 1st CD candidate Bill Sali lashed out against the financial market bailout package before he knew anything about it - and now he's having to promise he'll keep an open mind? In complex times like this, we need leaders who think before they talk.

Update 9/24/08: Check out what Kos pointed out Tuesday afternoon (h/t Jill) ... this passage from the Republican Party Platform adopted mere weeks ago:

We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself.

I can only imagine the moral confusion that free-market zealots are experiencing this week, as they realize that their black-and-white positions don't work in the modern world.

Health beat: McCain's records, LaRocco blogs live

John McCain is 72 years old and has several serious health conditions. Particularly considering the national inexperience of his vice presidential running mate, Americans need to be able to take McCain's health history into account before making a decision on his fitness for the world's most difficult job. Watch this video and sign the open letter asking McCain to release his health records.

In other news, U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco plans a repeat visit to Daily Kos today to discuss his plans for health-care reform. The Idaho Democrat is calling for an American-based system that will provide more options, both public and private, with added portability. Join Larry online at dKos from 1 to 2 p.m. Mountain/noon to 1 Pacific.

Otter lets Risch hog the spotlight

How often does someone from Idaho win an Olympic gold medal? How often do Idaho universities land a $15 million research grant - our state's largest ever - from the National Science Foundation? You'd think such things would be worth a personal high-five from the governor, right? But Butch Otter has repeatedly ceded the spotlight in such recent high-profile media events to Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

As you can see from this media advisory (still posted on the governor's website as of this afternoon and preserved here for posterity; click it to enlarge), Otter was scheduled to attend a press conference last Friday to announce the NSF grant, but he backed out and let Risch do it. And last month when the city of Boise welcomed champion cyclist Kristin Armstrong home from Beijing, it was Risch - not Otter - who joined her on the podium on the state's behalf.

Now everyone knows that lieutenant governor is a largely ceremonial role, and Risch clearly needs something to do, especially since he's passing up most opportunities to debate his opponents. But it seems odd that Otter is consistently having Risch enjoy the best photo ops. It's especially ironic that Risch was asked to hail a grant to study the effects of climate change on the Snake and Salmon River watersheds.

Climate change?! Why, just two years ago when serving as our temporary governor, Risch told the Los Angeles Times he remained unconvinced that global warming is caused by humans. Less than two months before the election, he still hasn't posted anything on his website about where he stands on energy, never mind anything like the detailed plan Larry LaRocco presented on the issue back in spring 2007.

Update: Energy isn't the only issue on which Risch seems to have no position. Check out this side-by-side comparison from the LaRocco campaign on Risch's shocking lack of substance. As of today, Risch has approximately 300 words' worth of policy on his website. LaRocco has more than 2,000 words on energy alone, plus lengthy statements on health care, immigration, veterans, and the war in Iraq.

Live from Sandpoint, Senate debate #2

We had the live feed here earlier this evening. Click here for the recorded version, although it seems the first 15 minutes or so are missing. I'll replace it with a better link if the campaign provides it.

LaRocco-Rammell debate #2 tonight

U.S. Senate candidates Larry LaRocco, a Democrat, and independent Rex Rammell will hold their second live debate tonight (Wednesday, September 10). This one is in Sandpoint, and North Idahoans who want to catch it in person can do so from 5 to 6 p.m. Pacific Time in the Sandpoint Center Community Room, 414 Church St. The rest of us can catch it live on the 'net. We'll have the feed here at Red State Rebels at 6 p.m. Mountain/5 p.m. Pacific, or you can view it at the LaRocco for Senate website (where you can also submit a question in advance). Republican candidate Jim Risch has been invited to take part, but he did not respond.

DSCC asks Idahoans to help LaRocco

U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco has gotten a boost from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Executive director J.B. Poersch sent an email to many Idaho Democrats asking us to volunteer for LaRocco between now and Election Day. A snip from the letter (click the image at right to read the whole thing):

Your Senate race is sure to be close.  I know that your volunteer work can make all the difference.  Keep in mind 2006 when we won new Senate seats in Virginia and Montana by just a few thousand votes each.  The voters you reach in Idaho this year could put LaRocco over the top. 

I've said that all the big things - universal health care, a serious plan to tackle global warming, and an end to the war in Iraq - are within our reach, but that Barack Obama and Joe Biden need a filibuster-proof majority to make them happen.

This is the second Idaho race to draw national attention this year. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) added 1st District House candidate Walt Minnick to its "Red-to-Blue" list of competitive candidates way back in April.