D8 Candidate Debate on KVIA

I caught the District 8 candidate debate and I thought it was pretty interesting and inspired me to write down a few thoughts.

Click here to watch the debate. I couldn't find an embed code to display it here on my blog, but follow the link to catch the debate.

Incumbent Cissy Lizarraga didn't attend the debate so it was just the challengers. If there is a turning point that ultimately leads to a run-off, which could be a tall order as I said previously, then its possible Dylan Corbett ends up in it.

I'll admit, I'm becoming a bit of a fan of Corbett. Don't see eye-to-eye on policy with the guy on several issues, but he clearly comes across as very qualified and ready to lead. Corbett is head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of speaking and knowledge of the issues. He's a pretty gifted speaker. Again, I say that as someone who disagrees with a lot of his positions on policy, but he articulates his positions much better than his opponents.

I continue to be unimpressed with Baine. I expect a retired Colonel to be a more effective communicator and it just doesn't appear to be his strong suit.

Rich Wright didn't have as strong of a performance as I expected either, but he and Dylan were the political adults in the room. Nicholas Vaszquez just simply has no business on the stage with the rest of the candidates. I'm sure he's passionate about what he's doing and could one day become a solid candidate, but he comes across as inarticulate, ill-prepared, and I can't for the life of me understand why someone hasn't pulled him aside to tell him that he needs to take off those sunglasses and dress like an adult that wants to represent constituents.



Seriously the Chicano answer to John Lennon isn't going to win him votes on Election Day.

I can't understand why they don't want to look professional when they are on television or whenever they are trying to ask a voter for their vote. Come on vato, put on a shirt, a tie, and a coat and look like you take the job seriously.

Going back to Corbett, its clear that he understands that he has to make it into the run-off. He understand that he has to be the one to essentially prosecute the incumbent and I thought he did so effectively when it came time to ask one another a question.

Baine came across as really condescending when he posted his question to Nicholas Vazquez but I guess that's not really a big deal.

But what I think IS a big deal is the fact that Baine is a Republican. In light of Trump's latest policy moves regarding immigration, which often leave immigrants in the middle of a city for local authorities to handle, I think the candidates' position on immigration is even more important and relevant in this cycle than its every been.

In fact, I think its a priority.

Especially in a community like El Paso.

If there is a run-off in this election, it will be a much more reliable turnout. The nature of this race will change entirely. If Baine is somehow in the run-off, immigration should be one of the main issues of the debate, which isn't normal in a city council race.

But then again, neither is Trump.