Virginia’s Gubernatorial Debate

I am a hard-core political junkie, but I have a deep, dark secret. I don’t like debates. At best it’s kabuki theater, at worst it’s an extended press conference. One rarely learns anything new and most memorable zingers happen in presidential debates. But, my boss was given two tickets, so off we went.

First, this report is on style over substance and general musings from someone who’s spent over a decade on the campaign trail. If you want the nuts and bolts or cheer leading yes-men, there are news outlets and campaign websites I’m sure y’all have already perused.

The first observation was actually from the pre-game reception, a very nice, but not lavish affair in the lobby of the McLean headquarters of Capital One, one of the main sponsors of the event. As I looked around the room full of businesspeople and politicians, Republicans and Democrats I saw something most Americans believe is deader than the Dodo bird: Congeniality and politeness among those with vastly divergent political views. People were kind and courteous with each other, mingling and chatting. It’s one thing I firmly believe sets Virginia apart from many places. We know how to leave the battle on the field.

Virginia’s Gubernatorial Debate

And now, on to the debate. I will say this – I give both candidates a solid C+. I give their respective debate prep teams a D…possibly a D-. McAuliffe made one major gaffe and Cuccinelli made several minor bobbles, but on the whole, they stayed true to their campaign talking points and no one went seriously off the rails. But, that’s where I fault the prep. And this is one reason I don’t give debates much weight. Candidates are prepped within an inch of their lives and memorize answers and talking points to the degree that you could call them at 3 a.m. and ask them a question and they’ll spit out the “right answer.” But the goal of the moderator is to introduce new themes, shake up the routine stump speech and ask the unexpected question.

Chuck Todd and the NBC team did a good job with questions. He asked some unique questions and gave both candidates ample opportunities to answer the negative critiques of the other campaign. He offered opportunities for each to elaborate on direct mail slogans and 30-second political ads. Neither fully took advantage.

The question I feel both sides completely let slide by – an opportunity to turn perceived weaknesses into strengths – was to address the negative ads against them and explain why the ads are wrong or misleading.

What I want is the Aaron Sorkin-esque candidate who hears the question and actually answers it. Answers it fully, yet crisp and quick with passion and personality. Both McAuliffe and Cuccinelli made me feel I was at a business meeting on a Tuesday. Personality was limited and restrained, passion was feigned or absent and there was not one crisp answer from either side. There was no KO punch or witty quip. Not one memorable moment in the whole hour. Which, actually, is fairly consistent with this whole campaign. And the reason Sarvis is siphoning off independents and disgruntled Republicans. There is nothing to latch onto. No “yes we can!” No “thousand points of light.” And definitely no “it’s a new day in America.”

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