Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Great Debate
Posted by Bruce VanWyngarden on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Just finished watching the first Memphis mayoral debate on WMC. I still don't know whether to laugh or cry. The panelists and moderators did a great job, considering the mess o' candidates they had to deal with.
These are my personal opinions. Take them for what you will.
Lowlights: The utterly embarrassing performance of Sharon Webb, who appeared to be on heavy tranquilizers and unfit for any office; Prince Mongo's proposals to give every citizen an UZI, put comic books in the library, and "flush the political turds down the toilet"; Jerry Lawler's continuing insistance that he isn't a politician; Kenneth Whalum's weird suit, winks, refusal to speak of the incident at his church, and his comment that he "hates religion." Just weird.
- Sharon Webb
Quick impressions:
Halbert appeared stiff, answers canned. Not at ease.
Chumney seemed flinty and tough, but not so likeable. Very blinky.
Carpenter: smart, well-spoken, but probably a non-entity in final shakeout.
Lowery: Seems a little prissy, but gave the most substantive answers IMO.
Wharton: better than "tapioca," did nothing to hurt himself as front-runner
If I were producing this reality show, Mongo and Webb would be kicked off the island before the next debate.
For some of the funniest comments you'll ever read, check out the Twitter debate thread.
Comments (11)
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I hated the format, 1 minute or "yes or no". Believe it or not, I like a lot of these folks. Wendi Thomas needs to get a grip. She lost it a few times and almost broke out in laughter. I have no idea who won, since most were talking to different parts of the community. Lawler could be good, just needs better material about changing the current direction of the city. I don't think AC lost any ground tonight. Bust a move, Bruce.
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I pretty much share your overall impressions, Bruce. I'm a Carol fan ("Count On Carol" as her campaign slogan? How very 1956) but she lacks charisma. And the notion that city hall officials don't exactly get warm and fuzzy about her concerns me as well. Just glad I did a couple of horse tranquilizers before the debate started. Got 'em from Sharon Webb.
"weird suit"? have you seen ANY of your own photographs lately, bruce? ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you.
DR. KENNETH TWIGG WHALUM, JR.
do you think Mongo cares what any of us think?? This is just something to do to pass the time... obviously, its the same for the stoned sounding chick too... I'm gonna stick w/ Lowery for now. I mean , if Herenton hates him thats good enough for me!!
Mongo isn't as big a fool as Whalum. Mongo is a sane man pretending to be crazy. Whalum is a crazy man who thinks he's sane. And God.
re Bruce: "tapioca"??? no bias in the "impressions" my friend. Not one kind word about any of the others......Is this the MF endorsement? They are all "turds"...surely you see that!! TaDa!!
Who said there was no "bias." Those were my impressions TaDa Barry, and they're obviously subjective. Nothing more, nothing less.
I believe Sharon Webb is a good person, but she is out of her league.
Bruce,
So we must elect a Mayor based upon mannerisms and appearance rather than ideology and content? That is like keeping one's car washed and waxed, yet never open the hood. Or brushing only the teeth folks see when I smile...
CHG,
I gave my impressions of the candidates based solely on their debate performance Thursday night. Anything else you gleaned from my blog post, i.e. "how we must select a mayor," originates with you.
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