Tao of Pauly

Who Won the Debate? An Inside Look...

I numblessly flipped the channels last night, wavering in between baseball coverage on ESPN and the debate carried live on all the major news stations. I was curious to see how this interesting forum of candidates would turn out. The format was different, the California Broadcasters Association picked the top five candidates for a debate, based on their poll rankings and only a handful of the numerous potential recall candidates were invited: Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (D), Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Sen. Tom McClintock (R), Arianna Huffington (I), and Peter Camejo (Green Party).

The public and the candidates both got a copy of the questions before hand. And I knew that Arnold would be studying his answers like a new Hollywood slasher script.

Who won? Depends on who you ask... and who saw what.

I'd say that 2 % of the general population watched the entire thing. They would tell you that McClintock looked solid. He was solid on specifics and came out of the slugfest in one piece.

Huffington viciously attacked Arnold. I thought that was a good ploy on her part. She intended to expose his weaknesses... which there are many. To stand up to the Terminator and not be bullied by the world's most well known action adventure actor... was the key to keeping her hopes alive. Huffington's many appearances on talk shows like Bill Maher prepared her for the back and forth banter between a multitude of issues with less informed guests.

Unfortunately, Arnold was supplied with a handful of "sound bites" probably prepared for him by his speechwriters and high priced consulting team. They knew that if Arnold said something catchy... then that's all they really needed. He could have failed miserably (which he almost did) in the debate, but as long as he got a few one liners in... the media would play and overplay his sound bites during the next upcoming weeks. Most Americans like their news in small tasty teaspoons. Again, like I said, most of you probably saw Arnold making suggestions that Huffington could have a part in the next Terminator movie. What does that have to do with the future of California? Nothing at all... and that's what is being replayed again and again.

Arnold was a bully out there last night. And he had no other choice. He is not a skilled debater, nor a politician. He needed to be flashy and make well-calculated sound bites. That's why mostly everyone out there will say that Arnold won the debate.

I liked Peter Camejo, who chilled out most of the time. When he spoke he flooded the viewers with numbers and facts. Obviously this guy did his homework. And of course, bullies hate nerds. So Arnold and the others eventually tried to talk over the Green Party candidate. He had several ideas like investing more money into Education reform. But in the end, he wants to take down big business... and they won't stand for that. Camejo is just an afterthought. Too bad, because aside from Gary Coleman, Camejo would get my vote.

Now let's chat for a moment about Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante. I don't like him one bit. I would never sit down at a poker table with that guy. He's a shark in sheep's clothing. He's against the "Recall" but he's "running". What the fuck is that all about? We know he's caught in an awkward situation... kinda like when your wife finds out about your girlfriend. But she's cheating on you too, so you're both look like lying assholes. He's the ringer in this election folks. He's the seasoned politician. And beware of those suits... they are some of the biggest thieves and liars that America has to offer. He tried to be non-engaging most of the night and caught shit for his kickback from an Indian casino. I told you that I would never play cards with that guy! Unfortunately, his days are numbered just like Gray Davis.

Overall, McClintock won the debate... in the Tao of Pauly's eyes, but he's an afterthought. Serious people will look his way. But the rest of the hooligans in California will vote for Arnold, who will look good after all the networks fluff up and beat his sound bites to a dead bloody horse. Huffington will be portrayed as an annoying bitch, but stood her ground and held her own. Camejo is the nerd who got bullied and Bustamante will be busted.

All I want to know is where was Gary Coleman?