What a shame the paleo-Libertarian editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal didn't watch
Tessa Hafen's spectacular debate performance Oct. 19 before endorsing
Jon Porter, R-Puppet. Porter ran the clock as long as he could, agreeing to the first real matchup only two days before early voting started, but he obviously didn't spend the extra time preparing. On the left, Hafen and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-IN, prove a WaPo story that Democratic candiates tend to be better-looking.
A Peter Hart poll has Porter 43, Hafen 41. An internal poll in early October had Porter 41, Hafen 37. That speaks volumes about Porter's lack of connection to the community. Phoning and canvassing results suggest that the undecideds, especially Republican women, are entirely in play. Minor parties will likely consume about 5% of the vote.
Hafen's crisp, substantive answers, sincerity, intelligence and charm triumphed over Porter's rehashed platitudes and outdated Repub talking points on every question. His handlers are apparently out of the loop. "Stay the course" and "We are winning, just ask the troops" is so last month. He acquired his only direct knowledge of the Middle East during a holiday tour with his
band. As an aide to Sen. Reid, Hafen has prepared for and attended serious meetings with all versions of the Iraqi government. At one point Porter used a baseball analogy to describe the Iraq war, which Hafen rightfully seized on as callously inapproriate to trivialize the tragedy and sacrifice of this bloody mistake.
Pundit Jon Ralston was impressed. From his Las Vegas Sun story:
It's more than she was poised and seemingly at ease. In the 20 years I have covered politics, I'm not sure I have ever seen someone so well-prepared for a debate - not just ready to talk in depth about issues but ready to parry and pounce after her opponent, Rep. Jon Porter, spoke.
From Hafen's press release:
On issues from Iraq to health care, Hafen kept Porter on the defense. She challenged Porter on Iraq, calling for a plan that will allow America's military forces to complete their mission and return home safely. For his part, Porter vowed once again to `stay the course' despite increasing violence and reports showing that the war is making us less safe, not more.
As an example of the clear differences she outlined: Hafen is on the record for absolutely opposing any attempt at privatizing Social Security. While Porter would protect the checks of those who are now seniors, invoking his own dear mother, everything else is apparently on the table.
Hafen said Jon Porter's record on the issue has more flip flops than a fish out of water. Hafen also promised that when she is elected, she will vote to give Medicare the right to negotiate for lower drug prices and to close the `donut hole' in coverage which leaves seniors facing thousands in out of pocket expenses.
Here's an example of Porter's outright lies on advocating lower drug prices for seniors. A mailer with Porter's picture sent to retirement communities last week by The Senior Coalition, an astroturf front group for pharmacy companies, asks people to urge Porter to oppose H.R. 752. This bill would require Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices like the VA and would give Medicare beneficiaries the option to choose the government program rather than private insurance companies to administer their drug benefit. Hey, Jon, this is a good thing. It might come to a vote and lose during the lame duck session. Never mind, this is part of a Democratic majority's "First 100 Hours" program and Hafen supports it.
We had a ton of fun at the union-sponsored barbecue and rumble, er, rally outside the studio where the debate was held. Here is Tessa with two of her finest supporters who have worked every barbecue for months. Thanks guys to you and your families!
As a donor for their body armor ad, I am so proud that VoteVets chose our district to place their devastating new ad about Porter's and Republican indifference to the needs of injured Iraq and Afghanistan vets. See it here. Full funding for VA health care is one of Hafen's top priorities and mine as the daughter of a military family. See DemMarineVet in an ad that highlights that commitment.
Nevada State Dems are phoning and canvassing non-stop to turn out Democrats to early vote. We are doing Hafen-specific calls to counter Porter's lies and show Republicans, especially women, and undecideds that Hafen is fully in step with their interests.
I am so excited about Hafen's chances. Please donate if you can to buy more media time. Her campaign is outspent for the closing days and I'm afraid we haven't seen an end to the slime machine.
Tessa Hafen
VoteVets