Hey folks, this is live blogging by a VERY slow typist, so I've done my best. What you're going to read is not to be taken as a direct quote. If you were there and feel that I've "misquoted" one of the candidates, please let me know. Thanks!
Question: What exceptions should there be to abortion?Response: KC: Life begins at abortion. It should be protected from the moment of conception until end of life. Only candidate with a record that shows that I will stand in the same place the day after the election as I did during the election. When the life of the mother is at risk we should allow the mother to protect herself.
JB: Life begins at conception. I will do everything in my power to protect that. Using movie about a pregnant teen as an example of the power of using the facts to change people's mind. I agree with Mr. Cuccinelli that when the life of the mother is at risk we should allow the mother to protect herself.
DF: Restrict abortions further. Seek concensus that would restrict abortions. Have not drawn a line in the sand as to where the line should be drawn. Personally I oppose abortion. Rape and incest and life of the mother would be instances where it should be allowed.
Question: Role of AG in rate cases for Energy Corp Commission.
Responses:JB: Look at facts and law to determine if Power company should be forced to lower the rates. The role of the AG is not to be the legislator. it's to get the facts and the law and make a determination as to where that leads. if the law, in fact dictates that the little guy wins, then that's where it goes, and the same with the companies.
DF: Expedite energy projects. Virginia Share not tied up in red tape. Off shore drilling should be OUR decision, not the Fed Gov. Expedite the projects so it's not 10 years out.
KC: Needs of consumers and realistic market analysis. These are not free companies. Don't want to let regulatory agency help them to get what they want, higher rates. Most recently re-regulated electricity. AG advocate for all of us in regards to power rates.
History of AG bailing and running for Governor. Will you pledge to remain as AG and support Bill Bolling in 2011 if he runs for Governor?KC: Fools errand to run against Bill Bolling after he stepped aside for Bob McDonnell. I would not run against him.
JB: What Bolling did was something special. It is an important precedent that should be followed. I will support him and let him run. I'm going to support him for what he did for the party.
JF: I certainly would not expect to run against Bill Bolling. I'd have to have a really good reason. I'm here to help get them elected.
Question from JB re: "Triggerman" legislation that was passed. Every Rep has voted to override this bill. Can I get s pledge that you will fight to overcome this bill.
JF: Bad bill. Should be able to go after those involved. The man who drives the vehicle is no less culpable than the man who pulls the trigger. I support repealing the Trigger Man Rule.
KC: There are many exceptions to the triggerman rule that I support. Vote against Dem efforts at moratoriums on the death penalty. I am against the complete abolition of the Trigger Man Rule.
Question from Dave Foster: John, you've never run for public office. Ken, you won each time with an increasingly smaller margin. What do you bring to the table in this race?
JB: I come to this from the courtroom. Spent my life fighting for justice. Voters will ask, "Who is best prepared to protect my family and make my neighborhood safer?" Your races were regional races. Ken's support of transferring 10% of educational resources to his region shows that he runs a regional race. I'm the only candidate who's done the job that the voters will look for.
KC: The legislation I wrote would not have cost this area or any other area a penny. Grabbed future funding. All without raising taxes. Yeas Northern VA is tough. I've won in N. VA on the same issues that the voters are looking for.
Question from Ken Cuccinelli: Jay, you were County Coordinator for ___________. Did you donate funds to either John Warner and ___________Miller? DF: I don't remember, but I think I did to John Warner because I was working with his campaign.
JB: I'm confident that I supported John Warner.
Question: Votes you regret? Where is it OK to bend your principles and where is it not? DF: Votes I lost. Charter schools. Sharing bus rides with private school students.
KC: On property rights...Still fighting for property rights. Have built bi-partisan votes and will do it again.
JB: Problem is regional candidates with regional issues running statewide.
Question: If the General Assembly passes a bill you don't agree with...how will you handle that, especially enforcing those laws?KC: Decisions have to be run through a constitutional filter. When an Attorney General knows that a statute that was passed is unconstitutional he should not defend it. If the law is constitutional he has to defend it, whether he likes it or not. My clients are the people of Virginia. If I don't like a law that was passed I can go to the legislators and try to get that changed, but until then I have to defend it.
JB: Another layer or test is, "Is it moral?" Also say I concur that it is our duty to defend the laws of the Commonwealth.
DF: I don't apply that additional personal filter. If it is a constitutional law that is passed, it's the Attorney General's responsibility to defend it.
Would you support a move toward non-partisan redistricting?
KC: There is a need for a more unbiased system. The grassroots people of Virginia would benefit the most from an unbiased system.
DF: Would be interested in exploring that. People want to know there is bi-partisan work going on to defend them. It would be in the interest of the Commonwealth, the people, and any businesses we hope to attract here.
JB: We have to win these races in November to have any hope. I trust the voters to make a decision on these issues and then the delegates will vote on it. I support taking a look at this, but I'm not so sure about it. What does that mean, non-partisan. My focus is on winning elections.
Question: In 18 months since report from VT shooting, have we done enough to increase Campus security?DF: No, not enough. Will take a multi-layer emphasis. Need to do a better job of communicating to responsible authorities when people who are troubled need help. Local autonomy sometimes yields better solutions.
JB: Not enough yet.. Folks are still working on it., I had to respond to it personally at VT. Stayed there till all removed from crime scene. Part of my plan to increase overall safety at all schools. Educators, architects. Doors didn't have deadbolt locks. They would have saved lives. Have a lot of work to do in VA.
KC: Doing things that are already making our communities more secure. Need to plan ahead for the future. Years long effort.
Closing Statements:JB: Thanked all involved in this debate. Received endorsement of 6th District Bob Goodlatte today and also from Thelma Drake. Offering bold, new leadership that comes from the courtroom. I've spent a lifetime in the court rooms trying to bring justice and make a safer Virginia.
KC: Thanks to all involved. We need to build as ap party. Foundations should be built on core principles. Bolling and McDonnell lost my districts in 2005, and I can bring 10's of thousands of votes to the table. Proper foundation for good policy. Doesn't do any good to elect someone who won't follow their core set of values and principles. I'm the only one who has a track record for that. I'm the only Republican of 10 senators in N. Virginia, covered by the endangered species act up there!
DF: 7:30-9am tomorrow AM at Mill Mountain Coffee downtown. We've talked about a lot of issues, but the biggest issue is the economy. It's not going to be done the way they're doing it in Washington. We need someone who knows how to deal with businesses here and I'm the one who's had 28 years experience in dealing with businesses.
