I will be liveblogging the debate from the comments thread. With a double digit lead, Brian Sandoval must avoid any missteps and Rory Reid must prove he is actually a viable option for voters. The Sandoval campaign has been reluctant to debate (but not too reluctant as they’ve agreed to 4 debates).
The debate begins at 6PM, comments can be added instantly so feel free to chime in.
What on earth is this show on CBS before the debate? They couldn’t do 15-30 minutes of debate preview?
This is a tennis themed debate?
Out on the attack already. Reid: Sandoval is “weak leader” but a nice guy.
Sandoval opens with resume and reason why he left position as Federal Judge.
1st Question. How to improve education with guaranteed budget cuts next year?
Rory – budget is more than lines on a piece of paper
Rory definitely out on the offensive. Has already brought up Angle/Gibbons. This is going to turn ugly fast.
Rory has already produced props and shoutouts to family members. Trying to do anything he can to get traction.
The background is quite distracting.
Next question about privatization of services with premise that it doesn’t really work.
Lots of Vegas references tonight. Almost like Rory has forgotten there is a 775.
Damn. “This isn’t a math test”. Calling Rory insane.
Production quality of debate is terrible. Has this station never had a live event before?
Oh my gosh. Can Rory Reid drop any more names or schools? Is Rory inspired by other people or does he have any of his own ideas?
Big style difference: Rory dropping names, facts, numbers while Sandoval is focused on big picture, fewer details.
Rory answers Clark County specific question by slamming Carson City regulations, want schools to be able to cut whatever programs they locally want to cut.
Sandoval pushes vouchers and give parents “a choice”.
Reid doesn’t wait for moderators to use his rebuttal. Says Sandoval will only raise boats of rich kids.
Question from a principal. Best audio quality of the whole debate.
How to bring quality teachers to Nevada?
Sandoval: Rewards for innovation and breaking the mold.
Reid: Says Sandoval really calling for 20% reductions. Praises the questioner but doesn’t answer the question.
How to measure success? Keep education staff accountable?
Reid: FREEDOM!!!!! oh… and responsibility. Less standardized tests. Let kids draw pictures of God? No answer.
Sandoval: Grade schools so parents know quality. After two years of failure, let parents move to a better graded school. Holistic test of quality.
Reid: Oh… I have multiple measure too. No standardized testing.
Moderator asks candidates to actually answer question.
Sandoval: Independent evaluation. Use LA example.
Reid: Technology, not test. Tests take too much time. Look at graduation rates and student paintings.
Sandoval: End teacher tenure to create accountability. Fire bad teachers.
Reid: Bad teachers are frustrating. Make bad teachers find something else to do. Agrees about ending teacher tenure?
Class size question:
Reid: Flexibility and local control can fix class sizes. Sandoval is confused on what he wants for class size reduction.
Sandoval: Class size flexibility at local level and from grade to grade.
Reid: More name dropping.
Are edge schools dependent on private money?
Sandoval: Reid plan is repackaging of empowerment school. Sandoval name drops, remembers that the election is for the whole state, not just Clark County.
Reid: Empowerment not enough. Edge schools could be anywhere rather than the limited empowerment schools now.
How do you slow down/reverse inequalities from school to school?
Reid: Power and local flexibility. Technology.
Sandoval: Parental choice creates competition that will eventually level the playing field. (same type of competition that led to 2008 economic crash?)
Reid campaign tweets that Sandoval is “pissing him off”: http://twitter.com/roryjreid/status/22486009288
Now onto higher education…Sandoval notes he graduated from UNR.
Closings.
Reid: Repeats that Sandoval is not strong leader; claims there are two Sandovals. Links Sandoval to Gibbons, says Sandoval is bigger cutter than Gibbons.
Sandoval: Cares deeply about future of this state.
Thoughts on the debate?