Subscriber Comments for
Watch a replay of the Capps and Maldonado Debate here.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 327220	2012-10-03 08:43 AM
Wasn't even close. Lois wiped the floor with him.
COMMENT 327221	2012-10-03 08:46 AM
Maldanado's support down in the neighborhoods is impressive. Most have already made up their minds.
COMMENT 327222	2012-10-03 08:48 AM
This is what we have or could have. How pathetic.
COMMENT 327227	2012-10-03 08:53 AM
I have never been a Lois fan, but was thinking about voting for her over the tax pledge lying skunk, Maldonado until last night. I still feel embarrassed for Lois...she was a stuttering, stammering mess of regurgitated talking points. She really should have retired after her promised 2 term limit. I will now hold my nose and vote for Abel and hope he doesn't sell us out yet again.
COMMENT 327229	2012-10-03 08:58 AM
Lois now sounds like a doddering old fool. Abel a bit like deer in headlights at times. Neither sounded like a capable politician able to think and articulate easily and clearly. (However, having been in front of a live camera many times, I sympathize with the difficulty of speaking extemporaneously and sounding intelligent at the same time.) Hmmm... the Founding Fathers didn't seem to have those problems - guess we've been dumbed down over the centuries. Neither was impressive but I'd give the "fight" to Abel very narrowly on points.
COMMENT 327233	2012-10-03 09:00 AM
Lois did not come across well in that format. I'm a supporter, and found it painful to watch. But I don't choose my representatives solely on the basis of their public speaking skills. Look at the candidates records, and their stands on the issues.
COMMENT 327239	2012-10-03 09:16 AM
Lois has had enough time to make changes. She is part of the problem at this point. I have seen her speak many times and none of them were "good" by any means. It was not until I was at an event where she was answering questions for local business owners and she was clearly detached from the struggles they were facing that I decided she is not the right choice. We need to stop electing career politicians, that is not the way it was supposed to work in the first place. Elected officials should be one of us so they understand the issues, not politicians who only care about being re-elected. It would be good for these guys to have to go get a real job every few years so they don't lose touch with their constituents. We could start by lowering the salary to something you could not live on for long and getting rid of the retirement benefits completely. These people are not risking their lives for their country, they should be donating their time and then going back to work. Take the ability to become rich as a politician out of the equation and you just might have some real candidates to vote for on election day.
COMMENT 327221	2012-10-03 09:32 AM
Lois is just a Democrat machine tool. We can't afford this mindless approach to critical national decisions any more. We do need new energy and a lot more of a political animal in this job if this country is going to crawl back out of its massive public debt. Lois just mindlessly votes for any big government scheme because it is in the interests of her party's special interests and not ours. We need more independence and courage and Maldanado at least had the guts to even go against his own party when called to do the right thing -- not vote for taxes, but vote to at least keep the state government going when it was unable to pass a timely budget and public institutions up and down the state were facing crisis. Maldanado paid a high political price for that even if he got a short-term reward being Lt Governor for a while in a lame duck term. My vote is for new energy and party line independence - Maldanado
COMMENT 327229	2012-10-03 09:34 AM
244 and MSSB - Points well taken!
COMMENT 327227	2012-10-03 09:35 AM
If you want to make the debate watching more fun, everytime Abel opens his arms expansively, say "kaw, kaw" and every time Lois starts stammering, you can do your best Milton from Office Space impression (I was told I would receive a piece of cake and I did not receive it...). If you want a drinking game, everytime someone recites a rote talking point, take a drink and I'll see you in the ER...
COMMENT 327250	2012-10-03 09:39 AM
The Scarecrow vs Eddie Munster....we all lose.
COMMENT 327277	2012-10-03 10:15 AM
Did anyone else cringe when Abel said three MILLION people died on 9/11? Or when Lois referred to Vietnam... And these are our choices. Yikes.
DILLYDALLY	2012-10-03 10:16 AM
Did 229 insinuate that the founding fathers came across very well on TV? I didn't see the debate mostly because I am grossly underwhelmed with either choice and dont see a lesser of two evils.
COMMENT 327287	2012-10-03 10:35 AM
Lois is obviously a poor public speaker. But if you look at her record and the things she has voted for, her heart and ethics are in the right place. At least she didn't duck the debate, which was obviously an option for her. Too bad she didn't retire at some point when a younger more dynamic person could have won her seat and now be running as the incumbent. Because she didn't we have the possibility of Mal-Donado winning and going to help his tea party friends in Congress. Once he wins he probably will never have to pay his tax bill. Lucky for him!
COMMENT 327290P	2012-10-03 10:39 AM
Lois Capps is far from polished as a TV speaker, but she is very personable in reality and her voting record for the issues I care about is stellar. Un-Able Maldonaldo appeared more sleezy and pandering, and I don't trust him. He threw wrong 'facts' around and looked arrogant. I'm voting for Capps.
COMMENT 327301	2012-10-03 10:50 AM
It was horrible. And KEYT's "set" must have cost an entire $67 to build. Indoor/outdoor carpet covered plywood podiums? I was embarrassed for both candidates. Neither made much sense, and both were nervous and trying too hard. Lois came off as doddering and Abel came off as a guy that really wants a job, but is short of ideas. Personally I'm saddened and horrified these two are our choices. And to think the national DNC and RNC are pouring tons of $$$ into this race. It really typifies how badly broken our governmental system is.
COMMENT 327320	2012-10-03 11:24 AM
Those are the choices folks.
COMMENT 327333	2012-10-03 11:58 AM
Why would anyone want to subject themselves to watching that again?
COMMENT 327301	2012-10-03 12:01 PM
@ MSSB - I am a local business owner, with 75 employees. I can tell you first hand NONE of our local elected officials "get it" with respect to the struggles of local businesses. They've had four years of the Great Recession to come up with innovative ways of supporting local businesses and they've failed miserably. I'm very upset about this. It was the one time I felt government could really help things and instead turned their backs on us.
BUREAUCRITES	2012-10-03 12:11 PM
Thanks for replaying the forum; I missed the live debate. The News-Press had zero coverage of the Capps-Maldonado forum. The front page featured another story about police officer Beutel and a picture of a lawyer holding a complaint filed in court against her. In contrast, the N-P had front page coverage of the school district and Montecito Fire District forums. This defuglety may have resulted from the sponsorship of the forum by KEYT and Noozhawk, the N-P's competition.
COMMENT 327347	2012-10-03 12:25 PM
We need a parliamentary system where 3rd party voices can be heard...based on the percentage of votes a party receives, then that percentage off the top of the party ticket gets elected. But I cannot see this ever happening with our political systems. I will just wait for the robot-masters to decide what is right for humans, which will be cleverly programmed by the 0.0001% for "population control". Look at my pen here...FLASH!...you are happy with the two party system and do not even need to vote...go buy some fast GMO food.
COMMENT 327361	2012-10-03 12:56 PM
Neither candidate came off competent enough to hold that seat in Washington as far as I'm concerned. It's no wonder our country is a mess. I'm just waiting for the Chinese to start arriving by the millions to take over our, I mean their country.
COMMENT 327362	2012-10-03 12:56 PM
Pretty sure the Chinese already have their own country. It's called China.
COMMENT 327221	2012-10-03 01:13 PM
Maldanado has far more chops and at least short-term experience being appointed Lt Governor of California - the 7th largest economy in the world. Lois is far too provincial in her talents and interests. A congressional representative is a voice too important to toss away on the wrong person, even if they are nice. This is a voice in the national debate we need and we need to have a seat at the table when the big decisions are getting made. Lois is just a little squeak on the national stage. Let's bring in the new kid, and hold his feet to the fire to help rebuild America. We have to move past just protecting our own backyard with excessive restrictions and regulations and grasp the national agenda for the future our grandchildren will inherit.
COMMENT 327372	2012-10-03 01:17 PM
Lois should should have left office after she finished out her husband's terms as she promised in writing none the less. She lied then and continues too, it's time for her to go.
COMMENT 327385	2012-10-03 01:42 PM
It was jarring, embarrassing and frustrating to watch this "debate." I look at what the real voting records are and I will be checking on Maldonado's tax dealings, practices regarding hiring people for his business(es). Does his voting record backup his words of last evening? I have to say his body language was disrespectful and childish. Appointed by Arnold who we all know is beyond reproach. Who do I trust here?
COMMENT 327403	2012-10-03 02:28 PM
Capps does nothing other than what Pelosi tells her to do. We need changes in WDC and it would be nice to have a more independent voice. As to the tax questions, you are guilty until proven innocent. OTOH, Capps knowingly understated her income, oops. Maldonado has a problem of what the IRS will takes for deductions and ask 100 IRS agents get a 100 answers. One more point, in her time in congress Capps' net worth has gone up ten fold. How does that happen? When you ask Capps a question she gets that vacant look and gives the canned democrat party talking point. I'm no Abel fan but it is way past time for Capps to go.
COMMENT 327361	2012-10-03 03:04 PM
@362 China owns us! This is a fact.
COMMENT 327362	2012-10-03 03:29 PM
China owns 8% of the US public debt. That does not constitute owning us. Stop being sensational, real facts are readily available.
COMMENT 327426	2012-10-03 03:35 PM
I think this is going to be a case of needing change, although the person being swapped in really isn't an enthusiastic replacement. Where did all the qualified, meaningful candidates go?
COMMENT 327442P	2012-10-03 04:06 PM
Abel Maldonado is the only local Republican candidate not endorsed by the Santa Barbara Tea Party because he voted for a temporary tax increase to save jobs. He is a moderate who said he will not vote to overturn Roe vs Wade. He proposed the law to allow independent voters to participate in either the Democratic or Republican Primary Election. I respect Lois Capps, but I think a young, moderate Latino deserves a chance to represent the Central Coast. If he is a disappointment, he can be voted out in two years, perhaps by Salud Carbajal.
COMMENT 327447	2012-10-03 04:12 PM
These candidates (and other aspiring candidates) would be wise to heed the comments here. Both options are lacking. I agree wholeheartedly with MSSB. We should return to the days when people who had something to offer, like new ideas and representing their district, went to Washington, did their bit and returned to private life allowing other voices to be heard. Neither of these people arose "from the people", neither are acceptable "choices". But given the farce in the political arena, what person who really had something to offer would be interested in the job? It's depressing...
COMMENT 327361	2012-10-03 04:54 PM
Wow, really, China owns 8% of the US? That is scary!
COMMENT 327500	2012-10-03 05:04 PM
Anyone who thinks Maldonado won't toe the party line for his first several terms in office needs to have their head checked. Let's face it folks, we are not voting for a person, we are voting for a letter. D vs R. It is sad that at well over 70 yrs of age, Lois hasn't handed the reigns to a qualified younger candidate.
COMMENT 327550P	2012-10-03 07:33 PM
Sorry, Lois can't hear your whining.
COMMENT 327221	2012-10-03 08:37 PM
Time to switch from D to R because D has run us into a ditch. D's meant well and had all the right words, but we did sell out the country and our future while we were momentarily feeling good. We now have to let the R's back in to do a mop up for a while until we get things balanced again. So yes, it is a vote for the R party this time. D's are done for now. They'll be back, but right now feeling good is no longer working since we ran out of money. China does own us and that never should have happened. And no, getting R's does not mean we are getting TP'ed. We are just catching our breath for a while to slow things down while we pump ourselves back up.
COMMENT 327301	2012-10-04 09:37 AM
@572 - I think you've got it backwards. R (more specifically W) ran us into the ditch with two unfunded wars, while simultaneously enacting tax cuts. When D took over they actually prevented us from going into a raging river of economic depression.
COMMENT 327221	2012-10-04 09:51 AM
D's voted to send this country into war in Iraq/Afghanistan - they held the deciding votes. History is a jealous mistress of facts. D's have done nothing to reform entitlements which in fact is the two-front war that will send us into the ditch. If anything, they only enlarged them. Taxing your way out fiscal irresponsibility wins nothing for anyone. It just sets the clock back temporarily, or as they say today, kicks the can down the road for someone else to fix. The R's will be the fixers and today's younger, far more savvy R's are not your grand-father's R's. You know that and we know that. Same way your old D's who fought for the workplace, are not the same as the D's today who just grab whatever they can for themselves and send the bill to someone else to pay.
DILLYDALLY	2012-10-04 10:07 AM
Name one republican who has ever balanced our budget, or decreased the rate the defect is growing. I wont hold my breath because you cant. Republican policies got us here, republican obstructionism has slowed growth the last 4 years and Mittins platform proved to be so aweful he had to walk most of it back last night and agree with the President on many of the things he has been attacking Obama for the last 6 months. Nobodys perfect but republicans tank it faster.
COMMENT 327362	2012-10-04 10:31 AM
More than half of the Democrats in the House voted against the Iraq AUMF. Greater than 90% of Republicans voted for it. Facts are such pesky things.

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