Salt Lake Tribune: Howell Attacks Hatch’s Leadership in Final Debate

In the interest of keeping our WCF readers abreast of new developments in Utah's 2012 US Senate Race, we'll highlight this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story, reporting on yesterday's Orrin Hatch/Scott Howell debate:

• Howell attacks Hatch’s leadership in final debate

Here's Mr. Howell's money quote:

Rocky Anderson has a better chance of being president than Orrin being chairman of the Finance Committee," Howell said. Anderson, the former Salt Lake City mayor, is running for president on the Justice Party ticket.

Mr. Hatch responds of course, that even if Obama is re-elected in November, and Hatch doesn't land the Senate Finance Committee Chairman job, "they have to run everything by me, and I have a lot of say and a lot of clout."

Sorry folks, we've feverishly searched the net for a recorded version of Friday's debate, but it's nowhere to be found, at present.

If it does pop up in the near future however, our gentle readers will be the first to find out.

Third Party Presidential Debate Tonight - Updated

Game's on at 7:00 (MT) via C-SPAN and the Free and Equal Elections Foundation's online live video feeds

For those WCF political wonks who'd mistakenly thought the 2012 Presidential Debate dog and pony show was over, here's some interesting information from our old favorite, the C-SPAN website:

Click to enlarge image

Chicago - Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Four Third Party Presidential candidates are participating in a debate in Chicago, organized by the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.

The participants will include Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson. The hour and half event is being moderated by former CNN anchor Larry King and Christina Tobin, founder and chair of the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.

Game's on via C-SPAN at 7:00 (MT). Here's the link:

• C-SPAN live video stream

Alternatively, we provide the Free and Equal Elections Foundation's own live video feed:

• Free and Equal live-stream

We hope all WCF political wonks will avail themselves of the opportunity to hear the views of these non-mainstream, third party candidates.

Update 10/24/12 9:00 a.m.: For those who missed last night's third party debate, here's a taped version via C-SPAN:

2012 Utah Senatorial Debate - Hatch v. Howell Reprise

Listen up folks, as it's apparent Mr. Howell presents an attractive alternative in Utah's U.S. Senate Race

Earlier in the week, we attempted to post the online video of voteutah.org's 2012 Utah Senatorial Debate, featuring incumbent GOP Senator Orrin Hatch squaring off against Democratic Party challenger Scott Howell, for what we expected (and proved to be) a quite lively confrontation. For reasons which still remain unclear however, that video was pulled from voteutah.org's server.  We're now delighted to discover this morning that this informative video is once again back up for on-demand viewing; so we accordingly embed the full video here once again:

Watch 2012 Utah Senatorial Debate on PBS. See more from Utah Issues.

Listen up folks, as it's apparent Mr. Howell presents an attractive alternative in this race, especially for those of us of all political stripes who've been swearing for years: "We need to get rid of Senator-for-Life Orrin Hatch."

For for your future pre-election reference we've also placed this video in our right sidebar 2012 General Election module.

Election 2012: Expanding the Debate with Third-Party Candidates

We're not laboring under any illusion that any of these third-party "hopefuls" have a "snowball's chance in hell" of winding up in the White House, but the word's around town that one or more of them could conceivably play a "spoiler role"

In the aftermath of Tuesday's Presidential debate #2, we had a short conversation with one of our readers who offered a suggestion which we thought to be a great idea.  Inasmuch as most ballot-qualified U.S. Presidential candidates have been excluded from the national debate discussion by our so-called "2-party system," "why not shine the spotlight on the several non-major party candidates?" our alert and concerned reader asked.

That's right folks. We'll lay odds that there are some of these folks (all of whom are qualified to appear on Utah ballots) are candidates you may have never even heard of:

U.S. President Federal - 4 year term

Candidate	Website/Contact Info	Campaign Finance Disclosures	Party
Virgil Goode & Jim Clymer	Virgil Goode Campaign Website	Virgil Goode 2012	Constitution
Barrack Obama & Joe Biden	Barrack Obama Campaign Website	Barrack Obama 2012	Democratic
Jill Stein, & Cheri Honkala	Jill Stein Campaign Website	Jill Stein 2012	Green
Rocky Anderson & Luis Rodriguez	Rocky Anderson Campaign Website	Rocky Anderson 2012	Justice
Gary Johnson & James Gray	Gary Johnson Campaign Website	Gary Johnson 2012	Libertarian
Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan	Mitt Romney Campaign Website	Mitt Romney 2012	Republican

In that connection therefore, and taking advantage of the brief interlude before next Tuesday's Third Presidential debate, we'll provide a couple of links which our WCF reader provided us, just to make sure we've left no stones unturned as we ramp up to the November 6, 2012 General Election.

For starters, here's a handy link, wherein the Democracy Now website "re-air[s] parts of [Tuesday] night’s presidential debate, pausing the videotape to give third-party candidates [Jill Stein of the Green Party, Constitution Party nominee Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson] a chance to respond to the same questions put to the major-party candidates":

• Exclusive: Expanding the Debate with Third-Party Candidates Jill Stein, Virgil Goode, Rocky Anderson

And there's another similar online event happening this afternoon, featuring Green Party candidate Green and Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson. Perhaps a few of our foamy-mouthed WCF political wonks will want to check it out:

• Join us for the Google+ presidential debates this week!

And no, folks.  We're not laboring under any illusion that any of these third-party "hopefuls" have a "snowball's chance in hell" of winding up in the White House; but the word's around town that one or more of them could conceivably play a "spoiler role".

 Have at it, O Gentle Ones.

And whatever you do, don't neglect to throw in your own 2¢.

Obama/Romney Encore: 2012 US Presidential Debate No. 2 - Updated

Click our special C-SPAN link, for those who'd prefer to "tune in" and view via the miracle of electrons bouncing back and forth through a "series of internet tubes"

Click to enlarge image

Joy of joys... President Obama and Mitt Romney once again get back on the stage tonight at Hofstra University for their second general election debate.  The stakes are high for both candidates tonight, folks, as Obama seeks to recover the political ground he lost thirteen days ago, (when he basically snoozed through the last unfortunate encounter.)  Romney now has his own new polling turf to to protect, of course; so he can't afford to sit on his... laurels.

Tonight's debate will be broadcast on all the major TV networks, of course.  But for those who'd prefer to "tune in" and view via the miracle of electrons bouncing back and forth through a "series of internet tubes," here's a link to our hands down choice for Presidential debate viewing... the 99.9% talking head/political pundit-free C-SPAN Network:

• C-SPAN debate video (Recorded 10/16/12)

The debate starts at 7 p.m. Mountain Time, by the way, so you have plenty of time to get over to your local grocery stores to stock up on Orville Redenbachers.

And just so's you won't be stuck twiddling you thumbs between now and the time debate moderator Candy Crowley brings the gavel down, here are a few carefully selected pre-debate stories to chew on in the meantime:

• What to watch for in the second presidential debate WaPo
• 2012 Presidential Debate: What To Watch For At Hofstra - HuffPo
• 5 things to watch at the debate - Politico
• Leaked Debate Agreement Shows Both Obama and Romney are Sniveling Cowards - Gawker 

Your ever-savvy comments are invited, of course, before, during and after tonight's debate.

Update 10/17/12 8:00 a.m.: A few post debate items for our readers' consideration:

• Obama Delivers - HuffPo
• With stakes high, Obama hits back at Romney in a fiery second debate - WaPo
• For the President, Punch, Punch, Another Punch - NYTimes
• Video - POLITICO Playback: 10/17/12 - Politico
• October 17, 2012 - Nate Silver - Daily Show

Comments, anyone?

Standard-Examiner: Lively Debate Between Bishop, Challenger McAleer Hits Jobs, Public Lands, Wars - Updated

Coming up: Debate video

Robust Charlie Trentleman writeup in the Standard this morning, providing a detailed account of last night's 1st Congressional District Rob Bishop/Donna McAleer debate:

• Lively debate between Bishop, challenger McAleer hits jobs, public lands, wars

Read up, folks.

We'll update this article with the upcoming video of course, as soon as it's available.

Update 10/16/12 11:31 a.m.:  Check out this debate attendee  letter, which popped up on the SE site around 11 a.m.:

• Rob Bishop, demeans, silences questioning student

And now the Trib is all over the story too:

• Bishop, McAleer spar in lively 1st District debate

Weber County Forum Political Events Roundup

A comprehensive list of  2012 Utah general election debates, meet the candidates nights and other public political gatherings coming up in Northern Utah this week

For those who missed this morning's televised Donna McAleer/Rob Bishop debate, we'll reel out a list of this week's 2012 General Election debates, meet the candidates events and other public political gatherings, for those WCF political wonks who'd still like to take a good look at these and the various other candidates prior to the November 6, 2012 election.

1) From yesterday's Standard-Examiner:

WASHINGTON TERRACE — The Weber County League of Women Voters is sponsoring a debate between Rep. Rob Bishop and Donna McAleer at 7 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Valley Library, 5568 Adams Ave., Washington Terrace.
Bishop, a Republican from Brigham City, is running for his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing District 1, which includes most of the Top of Utah.
McAleer, a Democrat from Park City, is a West Point graduate hoping to unseat him.
Leah Murray, associate professor of political science at Weber State, will be the moderator.
For more information, call 801-540-1282.

2) From the Donna McAleer for Congress Facebook site concerning a Tuesday night event:

Come meet the people running to represent YOU in YOUR governement. Ask questions. Find out where they stand on issues that matter to YOU. Come get direct asnwers from Donna McAleer instead of the run-around from her opponent Rob Bishop.
The Weber Council PTA will be hosting all Federal and State candidates from both parties. Donna will be there. Hopefully, Rob Bishop will be there. The event is located in the cafeteria of Orion Jr HS in Harrisville.
The night will begin with an open house at 6pm. Following a little mingling, each candidate will be given 2 minutes to make a statement. After opening statements, each candidate will be asked a series of prepared questions and given 1 minute to respond.

Then the best part: the floor opens up to questions from the audience again with candidates given 1 minute reponses.
The night closes with 2 minute closing remarks from each candidate.
Please get all your friends to RSVP to this important event. Your voice matters.

3) Via this morning's Standard-Examiner:

BRIGHAM CITY — The public is invited to a non-partisan candidates meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Brigham City Community Center.
This free event is sponsored by three local civic organizations to provide an opportunity for voters to hear and meet candidates in person before the Nov. 6 election.
Candidates for Utah governor and attorney general, the Legislature, U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, Box Elder County Commission, State Board of Education and Box Elder Board of Education have been invited to attend. Most have indicated that they will participate.
The format will allow each candidate a two-minute presentation on their qualifications and platform, after which written questions from the audience will be asked by the moderator. There will be time for voters to visit with candidates over refreshments following the formal portion of the meeting.
Sponsors of the meeting are the American Association of University Women, Civic Improvement Club and Ladies Community Club.

As an added bonus, check out Donna McAleer's most excellent "Upcoming Events" page on Facebook, which overlaps with the events set forth above, and also focuses on other pre-election events which are still coming up:

• Donna McAleer for Congress Upcoming Events

Gotta compliment Ms. McAleer for her fancy footwork, in rounding up this still-growing list of important public campaign events for the benefit of we Northern Utah political wonks.

KSL Television: 1st District Candidates Highlight Differences in Debate - Updated

Taped video debate on the 9:00 a.m. "Sunday Edition" show with B. Lindsey

For those WCF readers interested in more information on the 1st Congressional District race...

U.S. Representative1st Congressional District - 2 year term

Candidate	Website/Contact Info	Campaign Finance Disclosures	Party
Sherry Phipps	Vote.Utah.Gov Candidate Profile	Pending	Constitution
Donna McAleer	Donna McAleer Campaign Website	Donna McAleer 2012	Democratic
Rob Bishop	Rob Bishop Campaign Website	Rob Bishop 2012	Republican

...Tune into KSL Channel 5 this morning at 9:00 a.m. for a taped video debate between Donna McAleer and Rob Bishop on the "Sunday Edition" show with B. Lindsey. Here's the KSL preview:

• 1st District candidates highlight differences in debate

Reader comments are invited before, during or after this morning's KSL program, of course.

Update 10/15/12 7:50 a.m.: Watch the recorded debate video, which is now available online:


Time to send Rob Bishop into retirement, we thinks.

Big Vice-presidential Debate Tonight: Joe Biden v. Paul Ryan - Updated

Demo Joe Biden enters the ring tonight for a live debate against GOP V.P. candidate Paul Ryan, winner of the WCF Eddie Muster lookalike contest

Here's what we've all been waiting for, O politically wonkish WCF Readers, as street-hardened Demo incumbent U.S. Vice President Joe Biden enters the TeeVee ring tonight for a live bare-knuckle debate against GOP V.P. candidate Paul Ryan, incidentally the proud winner of the WCF Eddie Muster lookalike contest, btw.

Here's the link to tonght's C-SPAN streaming video, which kicks off the live debate promptly at 7 p.m., Mountain Time:

• C-SPAN live-streaming debate video

(Update: We've now replaced the live stream link with a recorded version.)

Here are a few pre-debate web stories which we rounded up this afternoon whilst Googling, just to whet your political appetites:

• 5 things to watch in VP debate - Politico
• Joe Biden Debate: Expect 'Pitbull' Focused On Sharp Policy Contrasts, Say Insiders - HuffPo
• Can Joe Biden Save Barack Obama? - Slate

But in the meantime til the moderator's gavel goes down, what the heck?  Why not click the above C-SPAN link and tune into C-SPAN right now?

Better yet, lodge your comments as tonight's V.P. debate unfolds.

And who would like to speculate on tonight's prospectiv V.P. debate "winner," O Gentle Ones?

Update 10/12/12 8:00 a.m.: We've now rounded up a few interesting post-debate writeups:

• Winners and losers in the vice presidential debate - WaPo
• Joe Biden’s secret weapon: laughter - Salon
• Noonan: Confusing Strength With Aggression - Wall Street Journal
• Joltin' Joe Biden wins the bout - Politico
• Biden Gave Democrats The Show They Wanted—and Needed - New Republic
• Biden rattles Ryan - WaPo
• Laughing Man and Choir Boy - HuffPo
• Video: Media harps on Biden's demeanor - Politico
• The Vice Presidential Debate: Joe Biden Was Right to Laugh -Rolling Stone

Post-debate comments, anyone?

Cal Grondahl has a good one too, LOL...

Standard-Examiner/Cal Grondahl 10/12/12

Standard-Examiner: Meet Weber County Candidates on Monday Night

Mark your calenders, folks... these WLCWC events invariably turn out to be exceptionally informative and lively

In our relentless effort to keep our WCF readers fully abreast of all important local "meet the candidates" events arising prior to the November 6, 2012 Utah General Election, we'll put the spotlight this morning's Standard-Examiner announcement, which we incorporate in full, together with a few helpful links which we've added for your convenient reference:

SOUTH OGDEN — The Women’s Legislative Council of Weber County will hold a Meet the Candidates night beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at the South Ogden Senior Center, 580 39th St.

Candidates who will be speaking are Matt Bell and Corey Combe, Weber County Commission; Gage Froerer and Nickolas Velis, Utah House District 8; Jeremy Peterson and Neil Hansen, Utah House District 9; and Richard Greenwood and Benjamin Pales, Utah House District 12.

Refreshments will be served*. 

Mark your calenders, folks,  These boffo  WLCWC events invariably turn out to be exceptionally informative and even lively and invigorating.
_________
* Delicious and lovingly home-baked cookies and punch, assuming history repeats.

Big Debate Tonight - 2012 US Presidential Debate No. 1 - Updated

Added Bonus: A few debate-topical  articles and stories which we've gathered up over the past few days

Click to Enlarge

There's a big (high stakes) duke-out happening tonight, concerning the 2012 US presidential election, or so we've heard from who else? Our beloved Standard-Examiner, that's who:

• First debate could be high-risk theater

For those who might be caught up in a work cubicle tonight, or hopelessly stranded up on an Ogden East Bench cliff with only an Android or iPhone device to feed your insatiable political appetites, here's a link to a streaming feed of tonight's debate, which kicks off promptly at 7 p.m., Mountain Time:

• C-SPAN live-streaming debate video (Recorded 1/3/12)
  

(You can tune in now for pre-debate coverage, btw.) And just so's we can give ya'll a little something to chew on, prior to tonight's debate, here are some links to a few debate-topical  articles and stories which we've gathered up over the past few days:

• Debate questions for the candidates
• What Romney and Obama’s Body Language Says to Voters
• The Zinger candidacy — all sugary platitudes, no protein

And for those of you wondering why we put up a debate link to the relatively staid C-SPAN website, amidst the plethora of other "pundit-abundant" sites which will be live-streaming tonight's debate, here's why, if you get our meaning (which we think you do):

Major Network Debate Coverage Preview

The great thing about C-SPAN? It's relatively moron/pundit-free!

Update 10/4/12 8:06 a.m.: The New York Times carries this Michael D. Shear writeup, which quite accurately frames the post-debate story, wethinks:

• Romney Seen as Winner; Obama Faulted for Flat Debate

Gotta say we chuckled over this Bill Maher quote:

 “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Obama looks like he DOES need a teleprompter.” 

 A coupla "good ones" from Salon.com:

•  Just how bad is the damage?
•  Debate fact check

The floor's open for your own post-debate observations, zingers and wisecracks, O Gentle Ones.

Standard-Examiner: Meet Candidates Thursday in Ogden

Mark your calenders, folks, for this early event which will allow you to meet all these wonderful candidates in the flesh

As we approach within 55 days of the upcoming November General election, the Standard carries this morning a sidebar blurb announcing an important and convenient pre-election "meet the candidates" event set for 8pm Thursday in downtown Ogden.  The announcement's short, so we'll take the liberty of incorporating it in full for those S-E readers who may have missed it.  And for our readers' convenience, we've also pasted in a few informative links:

OGDEN — The Coalition of Religious Communities will sponsor a Meet the Candidates night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 2371 Grant Ave., in Ogden.

The community is invited to participate in asking questions of the candidates.

Those expected to attend include Linda Protzman and Ryan Wilcox, House District 7; Gage Froerer and Nick Velis, House District 8; Neil Hansen and Jeremy Peterson, House District 9; Dixon Pitcher and Christopher Winn, House District 10; Brad Dee and Pamela Udy, House District 11; Stuart Reid, Senate District 18; Allen Christensen and Peter Clemens, Senate District 19; Brent Andrews and Scott Jenkins, Senate District 20; and Rob Bishop and Donna McAleer, U.S. House District 1.

For information, call Linds Hilton, director of the Coalition of Religious Communities, 801-364-7765, Extension 100 or email linda@crossroadsurbancenter.org.

Oddly enough, Senator Stuart Reid isn't even running in the 2012 election. We guess he's eager to get a head start on the 2014 election race.

Conspicuously absent from Thursday night's event?  Your blogmeister's personal choice for Utah Senate District 19... the Libertarian candidate, Courtney White.  Go figure. 

Mark your calenders, folks, for this early event which will allow you to meet all these wonderful candidates in the flesh