It was a good debate for Matt but I cannot say the same for Tom Henry. Tom’s opening was okay but lacked any luster and he’s slow on the draw.
The bulk of Henry’s opening statement, skipping the thanks for letting me be here etc.:
“I want to thank all of you for your contribution to our community, and if you’re second or third generation, I want to thank your parents and grandparents for their contribution because it’s through your efforts that we have the fine city that we have today, (pause) a what a grand city we have. We have an award winning parks system, we have an unbelievable zoo, we have great neighborhoods, all of this is made possible through the efforts exhibited by you and those that came before you. But we have an obligation to to those that have given because to those that have given, much is expected..”
Yawn.. That was pretty much it and not very inspiring.
The meat of Matt’s opening statement skipping the niceties as well:
“My entire candidacy is based upon a belief that the private sector has most of the answers to the ills that face the city of Fort Wayne. That the heritage that we have inherited from those that have gone before us must be guarded and managed well. Not by a government that’s trying to reach further and further into your wallets for your hard earned dollars so that they can then push the next publicly driven project, but rather by a government that yields to the private sector – the prerogative of the private sector, the ability to create jobs. You’ll hear me talk tonight about how we can usher in a new era of economic growth and prosperity in Fort Wayne not based on government, not based on government driven solutions but rather based on solutions found in the private sector..”
No comment, speaks for itself.
From this point on Tom pretty well stumbled through remainder and appeared to be searching for answers that just were not willing to come out of his mouth. As one person that watched it on television stated to me in an email tonight, “he (Henry) sounded fake”. His campaign manager was on the side of the room gesturing for Tom to look at the camera and motioning for him to smile. I think it was really more of a distraction for Tom than any help.
Clearly Matt is superior in a debate. After Tom addressed annexation Matt countered with “I need to remind my opponent who spent 20 years on city council he voted yes for annexation 23 times out of a total of 26. The three he didn’t vote for were because he wasn’t there”.
Matt had a very strong closing statement. One thing that was disturbing was the Henry family side of the front row, (I was in the front row next to them). Four of them started incessantly coughing when Matt started delivering his closing remarks in an attempt to make it hard to hear him. Matt speaks loudly and it didn’t matter, but it was a childish ploy. As one person pointed out to me “you could tell they were fake coughs”.
Henry’s closing was weak at best, delivering this line as his closer. “I am Tom Henry and I am running for Mayor”. Duh.
If you want to listen to the entire debate WOWO has in divided into 4 sections here on their web site.
So what did you think about the debate?
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Henry would have been better off pulling a Graham Richard and refusing to debate. I predict he’ll call in sick for the next one after listening to this one.
No ? about it, Matt just flat nailed it!!!!!
Most everything he said tonight he was right on the money. I don’t belive there would be much to change. I belive the fire in his soul came forth quite well. On the other hand Henry seemed so lackluster that my wife and I both felt sorry for him at times.
Hands down Matt smoked him !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Without question, I say Matt Kelty ‘won’ the debate. I think he presented his answers in a more clear manner than Tom Henry.
I think the content of the answers from both candidates were equal, but, Matt appeared more confident with answers and was more ‘quick’ at the draw.
However, what we have to remember, is that a mayor does not have to come to a conclusion of how to solve a problem within 90-seconds.
So, it all comes down to what we thought about the answers to the questions. In fact, some of the answers that Henry provided, now has me wondering which candidate I will actually go in and vote for.
My overall scoreboard of the event –
Presentation of opening and closing statements: Kelty
Presentation of answers: Kelty
Content of answers: Kelty
Grade of each candidates performance: Kelty B+, Henry B
So, do I have the right to ‘withdraw’ my endorsement of Henry?
With the face-to-face answers Kelty gave it sure has me thinking.
Here is part of my reason for not voting for Kelty – if he is convicted it should scare the hell out of all of us that pipple Steve Shine and a few people within the local GOP party will actually decide who are next mayor is.
Henry would not be a bad vote, nor, would a vote for Kelty.
Dan,
I watched the debate with about 25 other people tonight on TV. About half the room was undecided voters, mostly because of the “legal” issues surrounding Matt and the “what ifs” that Greg referred to. Every single person in the room said Matt won the debate hands down and they were happy to see the issues finally come to forefront. Most were disappointed by Tom’s uneasiness on the podium. One comment was if he prepared this poorly for a debate, how’s he going to prepare for running this city in reference to Tom’s slow and nervous answers. Another complaint that was lodged against Tom was his attempt to avoid direct answers, especially to the smoking issue question. Ironically of the 12 undecideds when the night started, 11 said if the election was tomorrow they would vote Kelty and one said they would vote Henry. the one who chose Henry did so based on the fact that he is not definatly for amending the smoking ban. Even based on that news, if the results are like that across the board, then Matt hit a home run.
Heck, even Greg is thinking about changing his mind. (we may need to send the Devil a couple pairs of long johns and a parka. LOL )
I thought it resembled the Nixon-Kennedy debate from 1960. Matt was clearly the better debater and speaker. Henry seemed to be searching for every word. Matt clearly was the winner.
I have more in a post on my site.
Dan, I would disagree-
Matt presents himself very well- no doubt about that. But he was short on facts and specifics.
I think Kelty hurt himself with his base tonight though, he cleaerly supports “amnesty” for illegals. (hey, so do I- but for a Republican that is a bad thing).
And if the private sector works so well, why is Aqua Indiana such a mess?
Kelty said he would hold Aqua Indiana to standards- but that is NOT in the Mayor’s power. They answer to the Indiana Regulatory Commission.
Kelty’s lack of knowledge will be his downfall….that and the indictments….and the AFA ad that is not working in favor of his campaign…and….well, you get the point.
Greg. These guys didn’t require only 90 seconds to come up with a solution to some of our problems. These are issues that have been on the table for months, if not years (for some of them). Henry should have had his answers. There was nothing unusual about any of those questions last night.
The fact is, Matt Kelty is considerably MORE FAMILIAR with every issue, not to mention more convicted about every issue… he was layers deep when it came to knowing the facts.
Lastly, I do NOT believe Matt Kelty will be convicted over these indictments. If you’re going to the voting booth merely on the premise “will he be convicted or will he not be convicted” then I suggest you stay home and have that ham sandwich. It’s clear that the GOP would pick Nelson Peters and then it would be more of the same ol’ same ol’.
That’s my 2cents.
Nice attempt at damage control Kevin. The bottom line is, Henry was awful and Matt was above average. Kelty’s style and substance was far superior. Matt’s answer to the immigration will not hurt his base, but nice spin though.
With all that being said, I am not sure whether a home run was hit to the point that Kelty wins. You still have people scared of the indictments. It’s a shame, he would be the better candidate on their merits.
Dan,
Setting aside the substance, Kelty did much better in the debate than Henry, no question.
He is a very good speaker.
I was not at the debate, but I find it very hard to believe that Henry family members were coughing on purpose. That is quite conspiratorial.
Stand up double for Kelty, but only half the game was played. Home runs don’t produce consistent winners, solid hitting and pitching does. Kelty connected on about every pitch, showed he can hit the curveball, and dished a fastball or two of his own.
Agree with Anon @ 8:08am, judging from the reporting on (or lack thereof) and the substance of the motion for dismissal, I agree. I think this whole thing is coming unravelled for the opponents (Democratic and Republican) of Matt Kelty, and they are hoping that folks won’t dig into the details and become informed before the election. Their whole opposition and campaign is based on beating the indictment drum and selling fear vice hope.
This motion appears to confirm the early assessment that the opposition has over reached in attempt to sway the election by taking Kelty out of the race. Fear associated with the loss of power and real change in the government and party is evident in every ginned up story whether a birthday cake, a radio ad, or a someone changing their mind for the 3rd time about supporting the candidate.
Henry is not running for anything, but against Kelty, and his opponents are not trying to just beat Kelty, but crush him. That is how much they fear someone who will earnestly represent the interests of the people of Fort Wayne and Allen County over their own. That is what this election is all about.
I though Tom’s performance was poor, Matt’s mediocre. Matt sounds like a politician when he’s talking, which conflicts with the fact that he isn’t one (at least yet). That turned me off a bit.
Tom continued to pause while he was speaking, almost like he was looking for the teleprompter to catch up so he could read it. Thank goodness he didn’t pull a Ron Burgandy.
If enthusiasm and energy are important, Matt has the clear edge.
Kevin
“Dan, I would disagree-”…..Well there is a surprise.
Kelty didn’t hurt himself with the base; his position on “illegals” was not one of amnesty, but of not locking them up at our expense. If we filled our jail with every illegal in town it would overflow….. and we would feed them clothe them.
Additionally Henry missed a few facts also. I noticed that he said the Midtown Crossing Condo development was full and had a waiting list, but failed to disclose that when they sell they are selling below cost. (Some in the $30,000 range). The declining prices of the downtown condos would indicate either an over supply, or lack of demand for downtown condos.
Wrong on illegals Jon, from Ben Lanka’s story today:
“The only time Henry referred to his opponent was to say he agreed with Kelty on the issue of illegal immigrants.”
Squarefinger: Very well said. Now how about writing that in a letter to the editor.
I was in the front row, as well, and it was apparent it was on purpose. They all started at the same time and when Brian Elijah frowned at them they all of a sudden stopped. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Also, several people sitting near the front commented on them after the debate.
Did I miss something in the debate? I never heard Matt Kelty say “abortion is wrong and it should be stopped.”
Did he say that? I thought I was listening very carefully. Ben Lanka’s story claims that he said that.
I agree with President Bush’s stand on abortion… it’s unrealistic to ban all abortions… but it is realistic to change it so that it’s difficult to get one, except for the health of the mother. People use abortion as birth control… that’s how easy it is to get one. It’s disgusting. I read that article about the lady who baked the cake and how she has several adopted children… one child without legs as a result of a botched abortion.
Abortion is abhorrent.
Kelty and Henry are close on their views of “illegals” and they should be at the local level. We can not deport them ourselves. There is no law that allows Fort Wayne to hold them for being illegals. They both selected the only real answer that we (Fort Wayne) can offer.
No one said a word about Henry professing how large of family he came from. Kelty read it right and mentioned the Tippman family. Those of us, who are older Catholics, know darn well that was a cheap shot at Kelty. I just hope the comment was not of Tom’s making.
What I think happened to Henry was he had too many people telling him what to say. In trying to remember all of the points, other people told him to make. made him come across poorly. He is a much better speaker then we saw last night.
Setting at home, I wondered what the noise was when Kelty delivered his closing. Oh well, kids will be kids.
Who is Kathleen Quilligan? I was reading her post today about last night’s debate. Her reporting is horrible.
“In an hour-long debate, Republican Matt Kelty and Democrat Tom Henry faced off on a variety of issues from property taxes to annexation to Harrison Square, and the two had different views on almost everything. The differences were apparent even in the way they spoke. Henry was slow and deliberate, using silence for emphasis, and Kelty spoke so quickly he occasionally tripped over himself trying to get as many words as possible into the minute-and-30-second timeframe.”
Do you honestly think Tom Henry used silence for emphasis?!?!? Slap me with a 2 by 4. The silence was there because he was fumbling for what to say!! Everyone could tell that except her…. and maybe Kevin Knuth. What he needed was Cathy Hawks down there mouthing out the words for him.
Secondly, she always always ALWAYS has to end her column with a recap of Kelty’s indictment. (Just to remind the gentle-folk out there what is really at stake here, no doubt).
yeesh.
Tom Henry just isn’t as smart as Graham Richard or Win Moses. He isn’t even as smart as Bob Armstrong.
Kelty is no Helmke in the brains department but he sure has Henry beat on that score.
Ms. Quilligan is a liberal YNPN member. The same group that is for Henry!
By the way. I watched the debate on tv like most people. Was it just our TV or was that one of THE WORST video and audio you’ve ever seen. Did anyone else experience a loud buzz, making it difficult to hear the candidates?
I didn’t see the debate, but have heard the news and seen excerpts of it. My questions are these: How much money was “loaned” to Kelty’s opponents from Hardball Capitol and their Wizards team to support their campaign and turned into the Election Board the same identical way that Kelty turned in the $158,000 he is being condemned on? After all it is his opponents and even some of his own party members pushing Harrison Square down Fort Wayne’s throat and pushing it through channels so fast before the election. Are they that worried they will lose the election that they have to act as fast as they did on it? I think so.
Why isn’t the Kelty campaign attacking their opponents like he is being attacked? I say because because it takes a bigger person to ignore the words and dirty tactics and shows who the bigger and more honorable person really is in this election. Especially when Kelty is not only being slammed so hard by his opponents in the election mudslinging tantrums but is being ruined on a personal level regarding his archetectural status and his family well-being. But this just shows Fort Wayne that when desperate circumstances call for desperate measures, the losing team will stoop lower than a snake to win!
Kathleen Quilligan is a conservative from Carmel, Indiana.