Debate a meeting of the minds
By Brian Hicks
The 1st District congressional debate this week offered voters the chance to see U.S. Rep. Henry Brown and his challenger, Linda Ketner, display a surprisingly refreshing wealth of knowledge about important issues.
They talked about the economy, the $700 billion plan to save Wall Street, earmarks and that commercial about Brown's unfortunate fire incident.
Not to say it was boring, but ETV has gotten approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market the tape of the debate as a mild sedative.
Actually, talking about the issues can be a little tedious and not nearly as much fun as the cable news shows, where people just scream at each other until there's a commercial.
It also can be a little intimidating.
To help voters sort through the dizzying dearth of policy discussed, we've hauled in Mad Magazine's old decoder machine. The difference between what the candidates said, and what they really meant, might give you a better idea of what really was going on at that table.
What Ketner said: The economy is in shambles and the people are justifiably angry.
What she meant: Henry voted for the bailout!
What Brown said: It was difficult because they called it a bailout. We feel it's an economic stabilization bill.
What he meant: Man, I wish she hadn't brought up that bailout.
What Ketner said: I don't want to see us put money into a bailout and not get a return on that investment.
What she meant: Henry voted for the bailout!
What Brown said: One of the things I'm running on in this particular campaign is reforming the Congress.
What he meant: Being in the minority party really stinks.
What Ketner said: I'm not placing blame, I'm saying I believe in accountability, responsibility. That's different than blaming. I'm certainly not placing it on the Republicans because the Democrats and the Republicans alike didn't step up to the plate.
What she meant: I hope they don't figure out I'm a Democrat.
What Brown said: We need to start addressing the fix, not the blame.
What he meant: It's my guys' fault.
What Ketner said: If Nancy Pelosi says something that makes sense, I'll vote with her. If not I won't.
What she meant: God, I hope they don't realize I'm a Democrat.
What Ketner said: I'm glad your privatization vote didn't go through. It's incumbent on us to stop invading Social Security and learn that (privatization) is a pyramid scheme.
What she meant: Henry is just like Al Parish!
What Brown said: Don't try to paint me as against senior citizens. I took that vote on Medicare (to allow seniors to buy cheap drugs) against the wishes of the president.
What Brown meant: I don't like Bush anymore, either.
What Brown said: I would hope we will allow the tax cuts to stay.
What he meant: It sure would be nice to get back in the majority.
What Ketner said: We need to pay attention to Pakistan and Syria, Iran and many other places.
What she meant: I can name more foreign countries than Sarah Palin.
What Brown said: If we had not gotten an earmark to start I-73, it would still be something we talked about, not a road that works.
What he meant: I'm not giving up on any earmarks, I don't care what John McCain says.
What Brown said: We don't want universal health care, as romantic as it might seem.
What he meant: I hope Obama doesn't win this election.
What Ketner said: I think society is judged by how they treat their seniors and their children.
What she meant: Should I have said Social Security privatization again? Is that a tactic, or a strategy?
What Brown said: You're telling a flat untruth. I had a permit to burn the day I burnt that fire. The National Forest people were burning that day. It just so happened later it was a red-flag day. My integrity is being ... discredited.
What he meant: I'll threaten your funding, Linda.
What Brown said: I wish you would be a real Southern lady and tell the truth.
What he meant: Instead of being a #@!#$*.
What Brown said: I'd like you to take it (your commercial about me) down, or we'll have to respond. There's a lot of stuff out there about you.
What he meant: I'd like you to take it down, or we'll have to respond. There's a lot of stuff out there about you.
Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com.
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MP (anonymous) says...
I originally was impressed with Ketner. The more I see and the more I hear tells me she is already a perfect politician- willing to do or say whatever it takes, however misleading or low, to get elected. I know what I have with Henry and he is looking more and more like the lesser of two evils.
October 3, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
It boggles the mind how proud RW is of her/his intolerance and ignorance.
I always wondered how the ______ were able to get so many people/soldiers to "go along." Who could believe there are people in OUR country who think like this?
To be clear, one's choice of candidates is irrelevant to this point. This is not a political party issue, as I know for certain that these attitudes are not universal among Republicans.
October 3, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedDorchesterCitizen (anonymous) says...
Wow, we can't go after Ms. Ketner on the facts so idiots like RW resort to hurtful name calling. I guess we should be glad she isn't black so he could spout off the n word.
Look, I don't like Henry Brown, not because he belongs to a certain party, but because he doesn't represent real folks like my husband, or my children.
The fact that Henry Brown is certainly related to Ms. South Carolina, as evidenced by his lame attempt to answer pretty softball questions, makes anyone who votes for him a complete idiot as well. I don't know what Rod Shealy was thinking agreeing to the debate. They must have removed part of his brain during his surgery.
I am sick to death of getting screwed by Henry Brown. Plain and simple. I am impressed with Ms. Ketner's knowledge, and some of her ideas. She has my vote.
Wake up people, it is the EXISTING CONGRESS that got us in this mess. This bailout bill is rewarding the idiots who cost us over $6000 for every man, woman, and child. It doesn't matter if you are a democrat or a republican. We need change in our state. If we ever hope to pull out of this recession (DEPRESSION), we need new blood in congress to attempt to fix what ails us.
October 3, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedDorchesterCitizen (anonymous) says...
I have known from day 1 that Ketner is a lesbian. The P&C stated it, the Charleston City Paper has said it, and I have heard Ketner say it.
If people don't know it, they must be living under a rock.
Google her, there is even pictures of her partner.
You don't introduce yourself RW as a homophobic idiot. Maybe you should start - under your theory, you are being disingenuous. (Since I doubt you know the meaning of the word: Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating)
Please go right ahead and vote against your own interest time and time again. Hit on the "liberal" bandwagon right up to the time you lose your home and are standing in the bread line. Our country is going into a major depression, and according to your logic, we need to be concerned with whom the lady is screwing. My thoughts again I AM SICK TO DEATH OF BEING SCREWED BY THE EXISTING LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTRY!
October 3, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
She gave it to Henry Brown and I am so glad...He is a political man through and through...I will never vote for him
October 3, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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