NY-26: Jon Powers and Alice Kryzan Debate on WBEN
by Matt at Sep 2nd, 2008
I’ve listened to the debate between Jon Powers and Alice Kryzan on The Hardline with Kevin Hardwick on WBEN. Jack Davis, of course, was not present.
i didn’t get to listen to the original broadcast, but i listen to the entire audio of the debate. Buffalo Pundit posted his quick impressions Sunday, which were full of gushing praise for Powers and how he handled the questions he was asked.
Well, I don’t know what interview he was listening to, but after I listened to it, I heard a much different Jon Powers than Buffalo Pundit did.
For starters, Jon Powers absolutely fumbled on War Kids Relief. He kept sticking to the same old script and talking points he’s used over an over, but when he was forced to answer a direct question he couldn’t make a clear answer. Buffalo Pundit, to his credit, did acknowledge this.
Powers kept claiming that the only money he received from War Kids Relief was the $!5,000 noted on the Form 990, but he made no mention of the money he recieved for his work with War Kids Relief when it was it was a project of Veterans for America. By failing to acknowledge that money he received he was being deliberately disingenuous.
Alice Kryzan, who has largely stayed out of the fighting between Powers and Davis, said she “still has questions” about the War Kids Relief issue, and said many in the district she’s spoken with still do.
What really got me about Powers performance was his hesitation to take any specific stance on an issue he was asked a direct question about. The long pauses and mumbling really stuck out. Powers hesitated on whether or not he supported federal funds to pay for abortions… but ultimately decided he did support it after being pressed to give an answer.
Kryzan said she opposesd a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.. Powers ducked the question by saying it was a state issue.
Both oppose free trade, just like Jack Davis.
Buffalo Pundit also credited Powers for making it “quite clear in many of his answers that they were crafted after soliciting, receiving, and considering input from people throughout the district.” Of course, the people Powers tends to visit are unions and union workers… and we know which candidate was endorsed by the pro-union Working Families Party, and has been endorsed by a big slate of unions. Of course, unions only account for <30% of the work force in Western New York, and that is a lot higher than average. Unions are a big part of the problem in this region, and those are the people Jon Powers seems to be going to in order to craft his positions.
Powers and Kryzan were generally advocating a similar immigration policy that George W. Bush was pushing for a while back, but wouldn’t admit it. Pretty sad.
Jon Powers says that his status an an iraw war vet gives him a unique voice to the debate… Of course, most of the Iraq war veterans running for Congress this year are Republicans, One them is Nathan Bech, who is running for congress in my home state of Massachusetts. Bech and Powers have different views on Iraq, but Jon Powers is using his status as an Iraq war veteran to give credence to his platform and shield himself from criticism.
When asked about the military draft, Kryzan originally said she opposed it, then she said there may be a circumstance where a draft may be necessary.
This was another issue Powers avoided being specific about. But, Kevin Hardwick kept pressing for an answer… Powers eventually said he wouldn’t take it off the table.
So, basically, both Kryzan and Powers would support a draft under certain circumstances.
Powers used the draft issue to go into a spiel claiming that there was no call to service by the Bush administration after 9/11. that was a bold-faced lie… According to Powers all Bush did after 9/11 was tell Americans to “go shopping.”
What Powers either forgot or chose not to mention was that George W. Bush did have a call to action. It is called USA Freedom Corp. Powers desperation to blame George W. Bush for everything, even at the expense of the truth, didn’t even get by Kryzan, who, to her credit, criticized Powers for his misleading statement, noting that terrorists had also attacked our economy and our way of life, and President Bush called on Americans not to let the terrorists win by forcing Americans to live in fear… Though, she didn’t say it very eloquently, that’s the overall point she made.
OF course, Kryzan also had her silly moments.
She blamed our presence in Saudi Arabia and our dependence on foreign oil for the attack on 9/11, and she claimed that Bush hasn’t tried to get us off of foreign oil. Well, he’s the one telling the Democrats in congress to allow a vote on offshore drilling. Democrats left Congress for their summer recess without an energy plan to address rising gas pries and our dependence on foreign oil so, on that point, she was drinking the same liberal Kool-Aid that Powers was.
They both expressed their opposition to the Patriot Act, and blamed Bush for it giving too much power to the presidency and conflicting with separation of powers and checks and balances. Of course, the legislation was written by Democrats and Republicans, and John Kerry, who has endorsed Powers and advocated for his candidacy, used to brag about his role in writing it, and of course, he voted for it.
But, what really got me about Powers was his blatent attempt to give vague responses throughout the debate. Kryzan had her moments too, especially with Social Security. That was a big fumble for the both of them. They both said they would “protect” Social Security, without explaining what that meant. When asked if they’d raise taxes, increase the salary cap, they wouldn’t give a specific response. Kryzan said she supported a more “progressive system” but couldn’t say what that was. It was not her best moment, and it sounded like Kevin Hardwick was frustrated with both of them.
Kryzan absolutely nailed Powers over his claim he’d change Washington since he’s getting so much financial support from PACs and special itnerests which are a part of the existing Washington culture.
Both said they oppose Bush tax cuts, which means they would raise our taxes. One would think that after the record economic growth this country experienced because of the Bush tax cuts that they’d swallow their pride and admit that it was good economic policy. But, should either of them win the primary, I imagine their rhetoric may soften significantly.
Powers took his vague responses and nonanswers to the very end of the debate. When Kevin Hardwick asked if he’d support a pay raise for congress in his first term, Powers tried to change the subject by saying “the first thing we’re going to do is bring the troops home safely.” Powers reluctance to deviate from the script he’s practiced so much over this campaign was his downfall in this debate. When he decided to finally say “no,” (after repeated attempts for a direct answer from Hardwick) he was asked if he would accept a pay increase even if it passed. He simply dodged the question by saying, ”I’ll have to cross that bridge when we get to it.”
He always wouldn’t answer “yes” or “no” on if he’d accept a taxpayer-funded car. Alice Kryzan, on both these last two issues, was much more specific. She said no all-around.
I found it to be a very disappointing interview/debate. Kryzan did slightly better than Powers, since she gave more definitive answers to the questions than Powers did. Still, they came across as disappointing because despite both of their claims that they’re for change and would be a new voice in Washington, they both gave typical politician-style non-answers.
My alleged “gushing” about Powers is based on what I heard in that debate, and the fact that I live in the district and am supporting him as a candidate, and have done so since July 2007.
Unfortunately, by accepting Jack Davis’ dirty money, you have lost all credibility on this race. If anything, the Republican attacks on Powers, which mirror that of your advertiser, Davis, only serve to underscore that of all the candidates out there, they are most afraid of Powers.
I think that the acceptance of advertising from the Davis campaign is called free enterprise (although “free” is misleading). Based upon his post, I suppose that Pundit is in favor of censorship. To take his position further, I suppose that he feels that WBEN, WGRZ, WIVB etc. must not have any “credibility” because they have accepted Davis campaign dollars in exchange for running campaign ads. I can’t speak for Buffalo Bean, but I must presume that he would be willing to accept advertising from both the Krzan and Powers campaigns.
Pundit, that’s the way enterprise works. Entity A pays Entity B and A receives something of value in return. I must presume that Pundits rant is born of his frustration with the disappointing overall campaign and debate performance of his bet, Jon Powers.
That being said, it’s still Powers’ to lose. With the support of the seven county committees, associated town committees, unions, and other loyal democrat primary voters, it will be a tremendous upset if either Davis or Kryzan prevail.
That’s awesome.
For the record, I don’t accept political advertisements because I like my opinions and writings about local politics to be unsullied by money. I don’t ever want to be accused of backing candidate A because I’d been paid to do so.
Since WGRZ and WIVB don’t offer editorial content, so there are no opinions to call into question. WBEN is a bit different, since they have editorial commentators, but I’ve yet to hear, e.g., Sandy Beach heartily endorse just about any Democrat in spite of the loads of Democratic advertising on that station.
On the other hand, Bean here has been unrelenting in his slamming of Jon Powers, which earned him a shiny brass nickel from the Davis campaign.
Jack Davis and the Republicans. Unified in their fear and hatred of Jon Powers. Free enterprise, indeed.
I’ve run a number of blogs, and they’ve all at one point or another run an ad that was paid for by a liberal group or politician. As my advertising policy says, I’ll accept ads from any candidate, regardless of party.
Now, I’ve attacked all three of the Democrats running for congress in the 26th district. I’ve not held back any criticism of Jack Davis since the campaign bought ad space.
If Jon Powers wants to buy ad space on this site. I will gladly accept it.
If Alice Kryzan wants to buy ad space on this site. I will gladly accept it.
I’ve asked both their campaigns if they’d be interested. I’ve not heard back.
If Powers wants to give me some of his Kos Cash to run an ad here, he’s more than welcome to. I don’t fear Powers.. not in the least. I’m hoping he’ll win the primary.
Tell Domagalski that. I haven’t seen him run any press conferences regarding any other Democratic primary challenges. It’s so transparent that it’s laughable.
In WNY, the model for political advertising and blogging is Joe Illuzzi, and what he does is awful. Ditto Glenn Gramigna. I never, ever would want to be compared with them for accepting money in exchange for either positive stories or quicker turnaround time on posting press releases. (Which I hardly ever print).
My guess is that Lee is polling like shit throughout the district, except perhaps in parts of Greece, Williamsville, and Clarence. Especially when matched up against Powers or “unknown Dem”.