Sensenbrenner vs. Burkee - The Cage Match

John Torinus reminds us that Jim Sensenbrenner and Jim Burkee have a forum coming up. 

Sensenbrenner has apparently accepted a debate on Aug. 27 sponsored by the Washington County GOP. Details are said to be forthcoming.

[...]

The Republican primary on Sept. 9 promises to be very interesting. First of all, it won’t be just a Republican primary. Because there are no Democrats in the race, and because there are almost no other significant contests at the local, state or federal levels, Democrats who vote will undoubtedly be crossing over to vote in the Sensenbrenner-Burkee contest.

Independents will be doing the same.

[...]

But, with only three weeks left before the primary, it looks like the Washington County face-off will be the only opportunity for 5th District voters to take the measure of the two men one on one.

The media shouldn’t miss this one. It could be a lot of fun.

Allow me to offer some of those forthcoming details.  The forum will be at the Germantown Village Hall on August 27th at 1900.  It is being moderated by me.  As Torinus said, this is likely the only forum of the election season for these two and since there isn’t a Democrat running, whoever wins the primary will be the 5th District’s Representative. 

The format will be relative normal for a forum.  We will start with opening statements.  Then I will pose 12-15 questions that are being prepared by a committee.  The goal of these questions will be to cover all of the major issues and will be crafted in a way to draw distinctions between the candidates. Each candidate will have 1 minute to respond.  There are no scheduled rebuttals, but I reserve the right to allow a rebuttal if one seems necessary.  I also reserve the right to ask followup questions.  If I ask a followup question, each candidate will have the opportunity to respond.  If a candidate wants to rebut something on their own, they can burn their time on another question.  The voters can decide if the rebuttal was worth it. 

Before the meeting and during the first half, audience members will be asked to submit questions in writing.  A couple of people will go through those questions and eliminate the redundant ones and the stupid ones (yes, there are stupid questions).  They will hand those questions to me when we’re done with the prepared questions and we will go through the audience questions.  Then both candidates will offer a closing statement. 

The entire thing is scheduled for one hour.  The format is subject to change. 

If you live in the 5th District, please come and hear what the candidates have to say.  If you have any questions to suggest, please let me know in email or in the comments. 

1. Glenn Grothman has warned us, Burkee has cut deal with the liberals to cross over and vote for him to replace Jim.  WEAC does not have a dog in this race. 
       Didn’t anyone notice that the other professor dropped out that was running as a democrat becuase of this.
     It is a set up.  That is how worthless Luther Olsen gets elected in the middle of the state.  WEAC works for him.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 15, 2008 at 1900 hrs




2. That would be the same Glenn Grothman who is drooling to replace Sensenbrenner when he finally retires? The same Glenn Grothman who didn’t have the cajones to tell his own party to follow the rules and not endorse before the primary? The same Glenn Grothman who wants that seat so badly, he won’t dare cross the 5th District Chairperson, who’s supporting Sensenbrenner? So here he is, creeping around, blathering about a liberal conspiracy. Talk about contrived and desperate.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 15, 2008 at 1946 hrs




3. That is probably the silliest entry that I have ever read.  I have known him for years and have never heard him once say any such thing.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 15, 2008 at 2005 hrs




4. I hope one of the questions is along the lines of, “Rep. Sensenbrenner, why did you feel it necessary to support one of the biggest unfunded mandates in history with the Real ID Act? If a level of government is going to set a policy, ought it not pay for it?”

   And do you really use military time on a freaking blog?

   Good grief.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 15, 2008 at 2208 hrs




5. I would second AnotherTosaVoter’s question… and add to it… why did you put forth said “unfunded mandate” which you normally rail against, as a rider to a must pass Iraq Spending bill… which is a method of passing bills that you have railed against in the past?

   Posted by Nick on August 16, 2008 at 0946 hrs




6. You guys realize that this is a forum in which both candidates will have to answer, right?  How would Burkee answer that question?

   Posted by Owen on August 16, 2008 at 1008 hrs




7. This forum sounds interesting - will not be near Germantown that evening - please keep us posted if there will be any alternative ways to catch this - i.e, live blogging, taped for TV broadcast, etc.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 16, 2008 at 1016 hrs




8. It will be taped.  I’ll see how to get it online.

   Posted by Owen on August 16, 2008 at 1038 hrs




9. I could help out with the taping (most-likely audio-only).  I wonder whether the Germantown Village Hall has wi-fi access for live-blogging.

   Posted by steveegg on August 16, 2008 at 1238 hrs




10. Seeing as how this is apparently the only public forum between the two Owen, it doesn’t matter.  Burkee can say that he also disagrees with what Sensenbrenner did, or he can defend that idea.  But because incumbents already have an incredible advantage in running for re-election, it is especially important to question them on things they’ve done while in office, especially in forums of this nature.

    Posted by Nick on August 18, 2008 at 1238 hrs




11. Go Jim Burkee!

    Posted by Aaron on August 22, 2008 at 2123 hrs




12. I hope the question is raised as to what the respective candidates for the 5th think about the largest entitlement program of all time - Medicare Part D.  How Sensenbrenner can get away calling himself a fiscal conservative when he voted for it is beyond me.

    I’m also for holding Burkee’s feet to the fire to make sure he does not get too cozy with the teachers union.  I would hope he would make a statement that the federal government shouild have no role in education.

    Posted by Tim P on August 24, 2008 at 0738 hrs