Tonight’s debate between Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina will set the race for California’s United States Senate seat off in a new direction. By all accounts the race is even. It feels even … if I can justifiably claim that one can get those feelings about political races after hanging around politics for a long time.
That means what happens starting at 7 p.m. tonight at St. Mary’s College in Moraga could be a very important step in deciding California’s next senator. A superior performance or a sub-par one likely would be a game changer.
Will Fiorina look inexperienced next to the three-term senator? Will Boxer appear out-of-touch and arrogant, as her opponents have charged in the past? Any mistakes, superior ability, or personality traits could set an impression with observers and allow one of the candidates to build momentum.
If there were any momentum right now, I’d say it sits on Fiorina’s shoulder. Boxer is suffering the woes of many incumbents in this mid-term election year. The polls have been steadily closing, with the latest Rasmussen Poll last week showing the two contenders in a virtual dead heat.
The big question: Will the average voter pay attention?
It’s sad to say there probably will be greater interest in some of this week’s pre-season football games that this pre-Labor Day (does that make it pre-season, too?) senatorial debate.
I count eleven California television stations broadcasting the debate, plus CSPAN, and a number of public radio stations.
So, the word will filter out to a larger audience from debate watchers, the media, and bloggers. One of the candidates could find some wind at her back.
Both candidates say they are good for business and can create jobs. Look for Fiorina to make a distinction between public and private jobs and Boxer to say she saved teacher jobs and is an advocate for "green" jobs.
Will Boxer open some distance with the president over Afghanistan? Will Fiorina press Boxer on the end of the Bush tax cuts and the effect tax increases will have on the economy?
I’m saying the answer to both those questions is: Yes.
The debate tonight will not decide the election two months from now, but at this time, for the campaigns, it is all about jumping on that horse named Momentum.