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Feb
19
UPDATE: The Plain Dealer provides links to the video here.
UPDATE x2: WCPN has the full audio here.
12:10ish Cimperman ad just before the news
Still listening to weather – it’s 12:14 on my computer. I’m listening to WCPN give a preview while watching the WKYC weather. Also have WKYC.com cued up too – but nothing there yet.
Okay – Lee Friedman starts – I have to go get my glasses, duh, and my lunch.
Ooo – the order will be Cimperman, Ferris, O’Grady, Palmer, Kucinich – not what skaters like in the Olympics
OPENING STATEMENT:
12:16ish Cimperman opens talking about Kucinich – he hasn’t yet said a word about why we should vote for him. I don’t like that. Joe’s not wearing his glasses. “We need a serious congressman to get results – that’s why I’m running.” Calls himself a workhorse. Refers to his results – jobs, companies, development, serving people who don’t have health insurance, worked with labor, homeless advocates, social workers, fully committed to this community, will work full-time. “10th D now more than ever needs a fulltime workhorse.”
12:20 Barbara Ann Ferris: what this election is about. Doesn’t start by talking about others. Talks about her platform – jobs, education addressing foreclosure crisis. About her family’s length of time here, her education and she’s worked in Congress and knows the process and knows how to bring home federal dollars.
12:22 Thomas O’Grady opens with an anecdote about being blessed with foolishness to think he can change things when others don’t believe (I’m paraphrasing). Says he can’t fix things as Mayor, must go to Washington to do that (hmm, how will that play when he runs for something local again??). Gives his resume. Leans on his experience in military and that he knows that peace must come. Then talks about his roots in the area. He trips up as he tries to get it all in. Would be a good candidate – but seems very green.
12:25 Rosemary Palmer talks about how her son’s death in Iraq spurred her to be active. Sees people lose jobs and homes and lose their hope and faith in government to solve problems. Believes she’s the best candidate to make things change. Not because of her son’s death is she qualified but because of her real world experience that she’s had long before her son died. Believes that her candidacy represents the best chance for the district. Won’t be preoccupied with more ambition in politics.
12:28 Dennis Kucinich Our area is at a moment where we need to consolidate our strengths and here’s how I’ll do it. I worked to protect our steel industry. We know that our motor industries are in danger but we brought our people together to say why we can keep it strong. We need American manufacturing policy that says that American is important. I’ve repeatedly opposed NAFTA – the end of NAFTA means a resurgence in America. We need to understand that there’s another element: health care – not-for-profit health care. Bill exists – HR676. It’s been my leadership in the Congress that’s helped to put health care in the spotlight. Leading the way on behalf of this district and I tell you we will have a not-for-profit health care system. I’ve led the US Congress in challenging the war. This is a local issue too because we have $16,000 per family expense for this war – this war is costing us. Time after time I’ve shown that I have the leadership people expect to have in Congress. I can’t be bought. Need to have a leader in Congress who can truly stand up for the people.
[Wow - big audience! Sold out, eh!?]
REBUTTALS:
Cimperman: $1.6 million: that’s how much we’ve paid Kucinich for the last 11 years – what have we gotten back? Two failed Presidential campaigns and one bill. Kucinich isn’t doing the job he is supposed to do – he has “Hollywood fever.” People of this community are suffering. I’ve shown leadership and delivered results. I ask you to vote for change.
BAFerris: Points to Kucinich failings – holds up two bills, a picture of a no longer used steel lot that he’d saved. Tim Ryan brought home $26 million, $11 million from Betty Sutton – Kucinich, only $2 million. Cimperman doesn’t live in the district. He’s like Kucinich, says PD and I agree. We don’t need another Kucinich. She outlines the trouble in Cimperman’s district. We don’t need another Kucinich. These candidates talk about “I” – we need to talk about/this election is about “us.”
O’Grady: We’ve seen dirty tricks and cheap stunts and the source is the Cimperman campaign (people in the crowd cheer!). Cimperman has no experience – he graduated from college and became a city councilman. “He is completely unelectable.” Suburban voters are infuriated by Cimperman’s actions [gave percentage of people in the suburbs in the district].
Palmer: When change comes, we have to roll with it. We can’t just use what’s worked from before, we must find what will work for the future [her poor voice - has a cold or something]. We need to look for new industry and advanced technologies. When we’re talking about health care for all, one thing Kucinich forgot to mention is that his bill includes a payroll tax. We need to find a health care plan that we can afford and cover the most people. Kucinich hasn’t made the alliances he needs to make things happen. I believe in making those alliances and moving forward together.
Kucinich: What my opponents are saying about each other are all right. We’re already paying for universal health care and we’re not getting it – I want to take what’s going to for-profit and put it in a non-profit. Now that Democrats run Congress, I’m getting bills passed. I look forward to serving and appreciate your support.
COMMENTARY BY ME: It’s very hard to call this a debate – it’s more like, LET ME THROW WORDS AT YOU, AT THEM, HERE, NOW, VOTE FOR ME.
Blech.
Back to Dan Moulthrop:
Now people get to ask questions:
1. Iraq – we are there – my question is: Do we have an ethical and moral obligation to maintain a military presence there until they can govern themselves?
JC: It was a mistake to go there clearest way to end it is to elect a Democrat in the White House. We need to not miss votes to help make the change, as Kucinich has.
BAF: Mistake to go to Iraq, but we must leave in a way that keeps it stable and secure. It’s a challenge. Democracy doesn’t happen overnight. I would work closely with military personnel on how to get out.
DK: The question is so serious you have to have a direct answer. The longer we stay, the deeper we’re in it – you have to end the funding for the war. HR 1234 is my plan and what I believe must be done.
TOG: This election for the White House is the most important election. The war was wrong from the beginning but we have to have an exit strategy. Christian soldiers from the West is not a good pattern. It’s in the national security’s interest for the local government to stand up.
RP: We can leave and we need to leave. Iraq won’t be perfect. I do have a plan that I can go into later.
2. Port Authority has meeting tonight – in District 10, will you support federal money to build a gravel dock on Whiskey Island?
Palmer: That must be a local decision
O’Grady: Ohio municipal league rep and NEOACA rep – we need development, seek fed dollars, bring them in and expant port ability
Kucinich: We need to consider the position of the port authority and the longshoremen. The port is critical to Cleveland’s future and needs long term viability. The concerns of this person [the questioner] must be taken into consideration. We must protect the jobs in the port for the future and the present.
Ferris: Sit down with all the parties, but must take into consider the jobs in the port. [We need to ask] How can federal funds protect island and needs of growing port?
Cimperman: Let’s not look at “either/or” but an “and.” Talks about his support for towpath and how he will work to make Whiskey Island beautiful.
3. [UGH all men asking questions - where are the women!?] Through up watching news reports of what’s going on in slaughterhouses. You have a responsbility here – what will you do?
Kucinich: I’m chair of subcommittee with powerful reach. We’ve been talking about foreclosure crisis; talks about all the hearings he’s had as part of that committee. This is another area we hope to get into.
Ferris: K’s committee should already have had hearings on this. My hope would be that congress would respond faster.
4. For Cimperman: You said you’ve brought 5,000 jobs and companies to area. Can you give examples? [question was from a woman]
C: Tremont, refurbishing Old Arcade (has 100s of jobs), construction jobs for Flats development. “I take my job very seriously every day” and “I don’t miss votes.”
TOG: We shouldn’t take credit for efforts of others. I have been involved in getting things done in N. Olmstead [where he's mayor].
Palmer: We have to start looking at new industries. We’ve been working more on the environmental and we could be focusing more on and getting incentives to bring other businesses here.
5. [another guy] Question for Kucinich: how can you expect businesses to relocate to OH-10 when your record is antagonistic toward business?
K: Says he got money for a company in Westlake, collaboration with Garfield, worked with O’Grady. So I work with business, “but I’m not a patsy.” I can’t be bought. My hands are not out to people to do something – I’m an independent player in Washington. All the health care plans are ignoring what needs to be done: the cost of health care is becoming extraordinary. My plan helps business and industry and stimulus and will help.
DM inserts: Joe Cimperman, you’ve been criticized for your connection to business…
C: People support me because I get results – business and homeless advocates. We need a congressman who’s going to get things done.
Kucinich: Says that he got study done on the issue that Cimperman brings up (flood area)
6. another man – addresses question to Cimperman: question about Steelyard Commons from a Mr. Gallo [Cimperman calls him by his name]
C: Even after I lost, we were able to create a $20 million TIFF [?] so that people can keep jobs. Difference between me and Kucinich: I’ll fight everyday and if I lose, I’ll get up and fight again. [do the 5K jobs include the Wal-Mart jobs - JC says no after Moulthrop repeats question]
[DM asks Ferris how she feels]
BAF: “I feel like a rose” This election is about our economy and our ability to come together and bring jobs to this district; we’re looking at Green City Blue Lake. I’m the only candidate who can hit the ground running.
Palmer: I hear the question as a question of campaign finance – people do expect something for it when they give a lot of money. I believe in public finance so we don’t have this worry.
7. [Another man what a surprise] When are we going to see more money for alternatives to the street life – what are you going to do for the young people?
Cimperman: We must elect a Democratic president who will restore funding to cities and will reform NLCB. Kids need to be taught to learn. I will vote for more funding for the schools.
BAF: We’re spending extraordinary money in Iraq. I know how to bring federal dollars home. I have experience in grant-writing. Priorities must change, and we must include the needs of our communities and the people in the communities.
DK: I have a universial pre-K bill; got money for Cuyahoga County and Botantical Gardens education programs. Must stop war and that’s why I fought to end it [because of the cost]
TOG: I will take advantage of programs that are already there. We bring those programs together with the city of Cleveland, the suburbs and faith groups, and take our neighborhoods back.
Palmer: Kids need hope that there will be a future and to do that, we need to bring back the economy and jobs; wants to work to relcaim the hope for kids in the community.
8. another man – says that he was met with hostility from DK’s office – we’re not welcome so we don’t go – how are you going to get jobs (man is a volunteer with COSE)?
DK: You would be the first person who wasn’t welcome in our office. I work with all elements, and he enumerates what he’s brought to his district. Our office has always been available, but we have differences of opinion. You (COSE) promoted a health care program that doesn’t support everyone.
TOG: We don’t have fair trade, we need to reclaim our future [everyone likes the word change and reclaim].
9. Last question – another man: What action will you take in addressing the payday loan crisis?
RP: Banking divisions should be controlling; need regulations to ensure people aren’t being taken advantage of.
TOG: Payday loans need to be regulated, the Ohio general assembly needs to be doing they’re job and they’re not; DK chaired hearing and I was the only mayor that attended, his town is very aggressively attacking it.
DK: We need a full-employment economy; I started the investigation and brought the hearing
BAF: I’ve been involved with the community loans, we need to look at 1977 act – it hasn’t been regulated but if elected, I would – we need to strengthen work with commuinty loans.
JC: He voted to crackdown on predatory lenders; he showed up that day in order to make that vote – unlike DK who didn’t show up for two votes JC specifies.
Dan Moulthrop’s question: what do your critics say about you that you can learn from:
DK: These moments of self-reflection come everyday in a marriage. I’ve never represented myself as being perfect but that I am there for the people. The challenge of war takes an enormous amount of time, all kinds of energy, see what’s happening to men and women and our national reputation and innocent people abroad – I’m aware of my deficiencies and the people are too – but they know I can’t be bought- I’m there with all my imperfections and when all is said and done, they know that I stand up for them and I’m not afraid to take on issues anyway – and take on the most powerful people in Washington, DC. They can say when they look at me: that’s a person who represent me and that’s who I am and I appreciate the chance for that kind of reflection.
[he was very quite about it and he did good!]
Palmer: People say I’m a workaholic – outlines what she wants to do – wants to rebuild, work on affordable healthcare [she's not answering the question really]
TOG: The criticism you hear is from the people closest to me – family, council – too often my military comes out. When I sense injustice, I speak very directly, I get tenacious, I get driven and sometimes I’m not as compassionate as I should be- I was more involved in regional issues than any other mayor or member of city government in this region – I’ve been this way because it’s an issue of service – be a servant of the people – bring the talent you can to make a difference.
BAF: My critics say I haven’t raised enoguh money so in honor of that, please feel free to write a check. I’ve gotten to know the community – my critics tell me I talk about my Peace Corps experience too much but that’s okay. Thanks people. Reads a very nice thing DK said to BAF – gets great applause from all – worth finding on the WCPN audio.
JC: Biggest criticism is my intensity. I have learned that sometimes, you do have to knock on a door before you kick it in – the job in congress has three important components: 1) be there to vote 2) get bills passed 3) bring home our fair share of taxes. The candidates bring different visions – I bring one of hope. Cimperman’s first kid due in July. Details what he’s done and ends with: he will roll up his sleeves because “you are worth fighting for.” If you want rhetoric and show horse vote for DK if you want a workshorse and results vote for me.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:12 pm February 19th, 2008 in 'Roots News, Barbara Anne Ferris, Blogging, Campaigning, Debates, Dennis Kucinich, Elections, Joe Cimperman, Media, Ohio, Politics, Rosemary Palmer, WCPN/SOI, WH2008
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