Southbridge Town Council Debate

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Southbridge Town Council Candidates' Debate

Southbridge School Committee Candidates' Debate

Southbridge School Committee Debate - June 5, 2014

Southbridge Town Council Debate - June 5, 2014

Durant’s Crocodile Tears

Ken O’Brien

The third in the series of debates between candidates for state representative in the Sixth Worcester District took place last night in Southbridge. The first was held in Charlton and the second in Dudley.

The opponents, incumbent Peter Durant and challenger Kathleen Walker squared off in the McKinnon Council Chambers in Southbridge Town Hall. The debate was sponsored jointly by the Southbridge Democratic and Republican Town Committees. 

No Romney Gaffe? What About “Syria Is Iran’s Route To The Sea”?

Ken O’Brien

To listen to the Romney campaign flacks and the cable news pundits you are left with one fundamental talking point. That message is, “Romney did what he had to do; he made no mistakes and proved acceptable as a commander in chief.”

That is absolute, unmitigated crap. For someone who keeps using the term “geopolitical”, with the emphasis on “GEO”, he made a gaffe as significant as Gerald Ford’s infamous pronouncement that Poland was not under Soviet hegemony.

Obama Takes The Rubber Match

The Return Of Multiple Choice Mitt

Ken O’Brien

Snap polls from CNN, PPP and CBS News gave President Obama the victory in the foreign policy debate.

In the CNN-ORC poll, 48 percent of voters said Obama won; 40 percent said Romney did. Public Policy Polling's swing state poll gave it to Obama by 53 percent to 42 percent. The CBS poll of uncommitted voters was more dramatic: Obama took 53 percent, Romney took 23 percent, and another 24 percent called it a tie.

Following is a series of observations over the course of the debate. 

Second Walker/Durant State Representative Debate (Video)

Ken O’Brien

The second debate between candidates for state representative in the Sixth Worcester District was held in Dudley on October 15 in Dudley.

Republican incumbent Peter Durant of Spencer faced off against Democratic challenger Kathleen Walker of Charlton.

Durant’s “Nixon Moment” In Sixth Worcester District Rep’s Race? (Video)

Kenneth O’Brien

State Rep Peter Durant

Students of history, as well as those of us of “a certain age”, will remember the famous case of the missing 18 minutes from tapes of conversations in the Nixon White House related to the Watergate matter.

It now appears that a similar issue may be brewing as regards the videotape of last week’s debate between candidates for state representative in the sixth Worcester district.

A number of those present at the debate commented upon the apparent disorganization of incumbent state representative Peter Durant when it came time for the participants to make their closing statements.

Third Brown Warren Debate Tomorrow Night: Recent Polls Show Conflicting Results

Ken O’Brien

The third debate between incumbent Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown and challenger Elizabeth Warren will be held at 7pm tomorrow night, October 10, at Symphony Hall in Springfield. It will be broadcast live on C-SPAN and New England Cable News.

The debate comes as Warren has maintained a lead in recent polls. A Sunday poll released by Western New England University (WNEU) / MassLive.com shows that Warren is maintaining a five-point lead over incumbent Sen. Scott Brown (R), 50 percent to 45 percent.

Mitt Romney Debates Mitt Romney

Andy Hiller: Debate Victory Goes To Warren

Ken O’Brien

Andy Hiller

Last night was the second Massachusetts Senatorial Debate between incumbent Senator Scott Brown and Challenger Elizabeth Warren.

The debate was held at UMASS Lowell (who co-sponsored the debate along with the Boston Herald) in front of an audience estimated at between 4,500 to 5,700. It was carried live on WHDH TV, Channel 7 in Boston.

Following the debate WHDH’s resident analyst Andy Hiller rendered his verdict on the debate. The video of his review follows:

The Sounds Of Silence

Ken O’Brien

Loyal readers of The O’Zone may have noticed a recent decline in comments on this blog.

Trust me, I’m still getting them.

However, they have become so vicious, abusive and, in many cases, libelous that I have refused to publish them.

Now, I think that I have demonstrated an ability to engage in banter as well as having a respect for humor.

However, in the last two weeks, there has been an absolute absence of any intelligent arguments advanced against the opinions that I have expressed.

Southbridge School Committee Candidates' Debate

Courtesy of Amelia Peloquin

Southbridge Town Council Candidates' Debate

Courtesy of Amelia Peloquin

Open Thread on Town Council Debate

Ken O’Brien

The Town Council debate is over.

Did you watch?

What are your reactions?

Comment.

Open Thread on School Committee Debate

Ken O’Brien

The School committee debate is over.

Did you watch?

What are your reactions?

Comment.

Reminder - Southbridge Candidates’ Debate Tomorrow

Ken O’Brien

Candidates for Southbridge school committee and town council will square off tomorrow, Saturday June 9^th for a televised debate in advance of the June 26^th town election.

The debate is being sponsored jointly by the Southbridge Democratic and Republican town committees. Charlton town moderator Peter Cooper, Jr. will act as moderator for the occasion.

It will be broadcast on Southbridge Cable TV channel 12 starting at 1 pm. The first session, lasting 90 minutes will feature the candidates for Southbridge school committee. This will be followed by a ninety minute debate among candidates for Southbridge town council beginning at 3 pm.