Politics

Preview: Reid, Angle Square off in Face-to-Face Debate Tonight

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sen. Harry Reid and his Republican challenger Sharron Angle have been pummeling each other for weeks with attack ads. Now they have the chance to do it face to face.

The Democratic majority leader and the tea party favorite square off Thursday in a televised debate that could help determine the neck and neck race.

The Las Vegas debate is the only scheduled meeting before the Nov. 2 election. Early voting begins Saturday and Angle has said she would not debate after that because she wants an “informed electorate.”

With both candidates tied in the polls and only a handful of voters undecided, any hint of a gaffe or an unrestrained gesture during the hourlong debate could sway the race’s outcome.

“Each of them are going to try to minimize their mistakes, but they have to be very careful about style,” said Dan Hart, a Las Vegas Democratic consultant. “You don’t want to be seen as beating up your opponent.”

Public speaking isn’t a strong skill for either of the gaffe-prone candidates.

Reid, a fourth-term incumbent, has praised President Barack Obama’s absent “Negro dialect” and deemed New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand the Senate’s “hottest member.”

Angle, a former state legislator making her first statewide run, has hinted that voters might take to “Second Amendment remedies” if Reid is re-elected and mused that some American cities are grappling with a “militant terrorist situation.”

It will be an introductory meeting for many voters, whose contact with the candidates have mostly been limited to a flood of bruising ads since the June Republican primary.

Reid has portrayed Angle as a crazy extremist who wants to protect foreign workers and sex offenders.

Angle has painted Reid as a shadowy politician whose backroom deals have benefited illegal immigrants and child molesters.

More than 70 journalists are expected to attend the debate, including reporters from Japan, England, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Security will be tight following a series of brawls and arguments between Reid and Angle supporters at previous campaign events.

Comments (34)

  • BrandyWilson
    Posted on October 15, 2010 at 7:31am

    What happened to my previous post?…Censored???? For WHAT???

    Report Post »  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:21pm

    NEVADA—-get rid of this harry fossil before he does anymore damage to US

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:11pm

    OKAY… she SMOKED HIM!!! Great job and I was so impressed with her performance. I have never really seen her like this. AWESOME! :) Bye bye Harry.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • BLUJKTS
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:26pm

    The Moderator for this debate is awful.

    Report Post »  
  • rhymer
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 7:55pm

    As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) I find it remarkable that “Dirty Harry” is NEVER, maybe rarely, asked about his religion. Yet every conservative politician or Republican who is LDS has to ensure the world he/she is Christian, doesn’t have horns, doesn’t have 6 wives, and on and on. Just look at the lynching of Mitt Romney! As well, Senator Reid belongs to an organization and political party whose platform is based on pro-ABORTION … quite contrary to his religious tenants! He gets a pass at this everyday … along with his obedient Catholic cohorts Nancy Pelosi and Teddy Kennedy (RIP) who also are to uphold the tenants of their faith. Almost the entire DEM party is built upon religious hypocrites who who really worship at the altar of liberalism … and must be for Abortion in order to make NOW happy. In fact, they are simply Godless. Although social issues are supposedly taboo to talk about in an election cycle … I think America would heal and become the nation it once was if its people returned to traditional God-fearing, God-loving values. The answer to most of our problems is but a prayer away … FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY! If you live in Nevada … vote for the Right Angle!!! Vote Dirty Harry out. Sadly, I know the guy and he is not worthy of the office. I wish I were debating him tonight … as I would expose his record and the fraud he has perpetrated on Vegas, Nevada as a whole, and Search Light. Believe me, he is still “SEARCHing for the Light” through the mists of darkness he walks! And in a few weeks, the town of Search Light will never have looked so good!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • sdparker
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 6:55pm

    People in Nevada should know what their up against with Reid. Reid has become a stranger to the values of America. His participation in acting against the will of the People has been clearly evident. If they vote him in, they deserve to suffer.

    Report Post »  
  • jzs
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 4:55pm

    I hope Angle brings up the fact that Harry Reid voted to use your tax dollars to buy Viagra for child molesters. I mean, a guy who smears his opponent with lies AND wants the government give Viagra to pedophiles really shouldn’t be in office.

    Report Post » jzs  
  • vincijoey49
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:23pm

    richard head, need i say more

    Report Post » vincijoey49  
  • vincijoey49
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:21pm

    Ms Angle should stick with the issues in NV, and never look at Reid during the debate and wait for that special moment………….and stick it to him good.

    Report Post » vincijoey49  
  • JohnH3
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 12:28pm

    Angle should state that she intends to make Reid is the “NOT-est” member of the Senate. :)

    Report Post »  
  • Peters
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:36am

    “This war is lost.”
    “This war is lost.”
    “This war is lost.”
    “This war is lost.”
    “This war is lost.”

    And then, a Democrat strategist says when you’re fighting Harry Reid, “You don’t want to be seen as beating up your opponent.”

    Citizens of Nevada, you are about to be hoodwinked; or at least an attempt is being made to deceive you once again by a kinder-gentler Harry Reid, a man of dignity and integrity that will take the podium and sweep you off your feet with meekness and mild manners . . . So they would like you to think.

    And while Harry Reid, along with Nancy Pelosi, have made a business out of “beating up” their opponents with smear campaigns, twisted lies and manipulations, Sharron Angle is advised by a Democrat strategist to show up to the fight with a feather?

    Mr. Reid, yours and Pelosi’s actions and provocations of the past have not been forgotten. You and Pelosi are the faces of the Democratic Party that attempted to undermine the Bush administration at every turn.

    It was you Mr. Reid and Ms. Pelosi that attempted to talk down the economy for well over six years while it was robust and booming simply for political gains that paved the way for the grand duping of America, for the likes of Mr. Obama.

    It was you Harry Reid and Ms. Pelosi that orchestrated the fiasco that passed Obama-care. It is you and Pelosi that told us that we will have to pass the bill to see what is in it. You have proven yourselves incompetent at the expense of us all, including our children.

    Sharron Angle can save nice words for you for . . . , for . . . Wow, can’t think of any circumstance anyone would care to be nice and easy on you, or Ms. Pelosi. We can’t let go of the fact that under the guise of “good intentions” your liberalism has been beating up America until it is now culturally and morally bankrupt, black and blue, lying dying in the gutter.

    You have already set the tone . . .

    Report Post »  
  • OK3Wire
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:11am

    If Nevadans vote to keep Dingy Harry in power, then they deserve what they get. Sadly, the rest of us have to live with the result as well …

    Report Post » OK3Wire  
  • charliego
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:50am

    Ms. Angle–stress your points about what you will do–don’t get into slamming Reid. I think many of us already are aware of his liabilities, thus beat him on the issues.

    Report Post » charliego  
  • rudianger2
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:48am

    Go Sharron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nuke this guy intellectually tonight.

    Report Post » Rudi  
  • Ronko
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:33am

    Angle is going to destroy Reid

    Report Post »  
  • norcalart
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:24am

    This is the one Dem I want to see lose. I feel sorry for the Nevada citizens who lost jobs and homes due to the Lib policies . My state is in deep doo doo because of the Lib politicians and Lib voters. I hope Nevada and California can turn this around in the next few years.
    Come on November !!

    Report Post »  
  • Contrarianthinker
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:14am

    Be assured that the interviewers will harp on the gaffes that Angle made; maybe even Reid gaffes. I hope she simply doesn’t answer their questions and brings the discussion back to issues. Don’t fall into the Progressive trap of diversion from substantive issues.

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:11am

    http://harryreidsoundboard.com/ These are funny. Does anyone have a sound clip of HARRY to add? :)

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • adifftake
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:01am

    This should be I say should be a slam dunk for Angle. Just keep pointing out how he and the other dems kept doing end runs to shove down the throat of the American people expensive socialists policies that will bankrupt this country and leave us all broke.

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:13am

    Well, let‘s hope she ONLY has to debate Reid and not the Moderators like Christine O’Donnell had to do last night! Three liberal Pit bulls and one conservative Maltese! That girl held her own. Like they said on the news this morning.. The moderators did everything but offer Coons a pillow! Haha Hope tonight is a bit more ‘fair and balanced.” CAN FOX MODERATE, please?

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • swigs
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:07am

    Harry has the brains of a chicken. What’s he gonna stand on….his voting record…FAIL.

    Angle needs to to take charge with her conservative message that resonates well with Nevadans,

    Swing left and she will surely lose.

    Report Post » swigs  
  • snowleopard3200
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:04am

    Senator Reid has been part of the system for too long; I hope the people watch the debate closely and then in November vote him out to pasture. He seems to be following the script used by most of the Progressive left – lies, distortions, fabrications, threats, intimidation, and scare tactics. Why do they not just tell the truth of their agenda and let the american people make up their own minds?

    Of course, then the senate and house Progressives would be on the unemployment lines?

    Hmmm…

    http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • makom
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:02am

    Harry Reid is under a Demonic Influence.

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:12am

      He seems to be under the influence of something – maybe demonic possession? Where is an exorcist when you need one…especially with the White House.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Contrarianthinker
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:12am

      Makom, I agree. Beleive or NOT, Reid is a Mormon yet is for abortion on demand and same sexd “marriages. Lucifer often captures/deceives Christians who are NOT living their religion and uses them for Lucifer’s unholy purposes. Christ clearly bsaid” either you’re for me OR against me.”

      IMO, Reid should be excommunicated from the Mormon Church. He is an embarrassment to the Restored Gospel.

      Report Post »  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:59am

    I hope she doesn’t let her tongue get in front of her eye teeth, so she can see what she’s saying. Gaffe-prone is a nice way of saying it!

    Report Post » DagneyT  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:09am

      And hope she sticks to the issues that are important and lets Dingy Harry stick to the mud slinging. Also pointing out that their voters are not crazy, prejudice homophobes but simply people going about their everyday lives losing jobs, their houses and their dignity under his watch (actually lack of his watch).

      Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:14am

      I hope they LET her stick to the issues. Did you watch the three liberals “debate” Christine O’Donnell last night?

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:23am

      its the “preponderance of propaganda” that publicises her mistatements that makes the difference, Reid has made many more gaffes than Angle but you don’t hear about them. Remember when he declared defeat before the surge?. http://commonsense21c.com/

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • DagneyT
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:39am

      @equaljustice, no I didn’t. How did she do? Well, I hope!

      Report Post » DagneyT  
  • Mike777
    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:55am

    I would love to watch it. Any know if its live on the Internet ?

    Report Post » Mike777  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:09am

      Live @ 9 ET on C-Span. C-Span.org will have it too. Can’t wait for this one! Go Sharron!

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • AngryTexanFromAmarillo
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:22am

      After watching what they tried to do to O‘Donnell last night I’m worried about angle. Poor O’Donnell was like a sheep thrown in to a pack of wolves last night. It was in no way a fair debate at all. Keep your guard up Angle! don’t let them get under your skin!

      Report Post » AngryTexanFromAmarillo  
    • mintyfresh
      Posted on October 14, 2010 at 5:03pm

      @AngryTexanFromAmarillo – if you can’t handle wolf blizter, i question your ability to handle being a senator… better to find out now!

      Report Post » mintyfresh  

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