So I caught tonights debate (via CSPAN of course).
Nothing taken, nothing gained. I thought the “negative campaigning” pledge asked by Sabato towards the end was a bit too much — Kaine answered it “correctly” by taking the pledge, while Kilgore stuck to his guns on why Tim Kaine would be a disaster as governor. That means bringing to light reasons why not to vote for Kaine.
Positive campaigning = reasons to vote for a candidate.
Negative campaigning = reasons not to vote for a candidate.
Nasty campaigning = unethical or “under the belt” charges (that can be positive or negative).
I really wish those who condemn so-called negative campaigning would understand that the technical names don’t necessarily share the connotations of the words positive and negative. There’s positive law and negative law… and negative law (thou shall nots) are far more preferable to positive laws (thou shalls). That doesn’t mean negative laws are bad and positive laws are good. Same deal with positive and negative campaigning. It’s when you go below the belt or beyond the pale (unsubstantiated, unfair, or misleading information) that deserves condemnation.
If you’re opponent is a tax-hiker, signs a “no tax pledge”, or is one way or another on abortion — that’s fair play. If you helped drive the City of Richmond into the ground, oppose the death penalty, raised taxes on hard working Virginians, and support killing the unborn… I have a right to know that as a voter, don’t I?
As for the Catholic issue, Tim Kaine simply failed. You can’t be Catholic and advocate pro-abortion policies. His waffling on the death penalty certainly lacked the conviction he’s claimed to hold on the issue (and yes, good Catholics can disagree on the death penalty — but not on abortion).
I will say that Kaine was very much more polished than Kilgore. What Kaine had to say would certainly rile up the Democratic base in Northern Virginia. Kilgore held his ground, and overall didn’t perform in a manner that would alienate potential supporters.
A draw, but a big yawner, with no big surprises.