In the much hyped and long awaited debate between Brian Sandoval (R-NV) and Commissioner Rory Reid (D-NV), the viewers were not disappointed.
Rory Reid came out fired up, you could see that he was well prepared to debate Sandoval who had been ducking Reid for weeks while sitting on a double digit lead in the Polls. In fact two weeks ago Brian Sandoval canceled one debate (four debates were agreed upon) after an impromptu meeting at the Nevada Subcontractors Association meeting at the Eastside Cannery.
Rory Reid made Brian Sandoval look foolish on the issue of education and funding. Reid explained how urgent it is for all Nevada children to have an opportunity, not just the ones whose parents could afford sending their kid to private schools.
Sandoval pushed vouchers and private schools, he concentrated on a small segment of Nevada students, while Reid focused on the entire school system
The moderators for the debate were Paula Francis and Dave Courvoisier of channel 8News, and at the beginning of the debate they asked that the crowd not applaud until the end of the debate because of time, and the crowd applauded only once during the entire debate when Reid explained that giving a voucher of $6000.00 to a family to send their kids to a school "that would cost $15,000 isn’t going to do much good".
Rory Reid won this debate without a doubt. Reid explained that new companies do not want to come to Nevada because of our poor education system and the work force that it creates. And companies do not come here because the employees that they bring with them do not want their kids going to bad schools. Reid understands that a good education system is the best way to fix our economy.
A higher educated work force is more productive, and brings more tax dollars to the communities in Nevada. Those that go onto a higher education, often stay and start new business’s, which again create more jobs, and more taxes for the community.
Reid knows that education is the Silver Bullet to solve the Silver States economic woes.
Tonight Nevadans that wanted to support Rory Reid, but were hesitant, finally got the chance to see that Rory Reid is strong, that he really does have a plan, and that that plan will work given the opportunity.
Two more debates to go, if tonight is any indication of what’s to come, Sandoval is in trouble, and he can no longer sit quietly on his double digit lead in the Polls, because after tonight, that lead will be dwindling.
Update: 8/30/2010
Channel 8 News has posted the entire debate online if you missed it. Click Here:
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Comments
You can not be serious. Reid never answered a question directly. He really never even listened to the questions, just went directly to his talking points without even addressing the question. Sandoval addressed every question. Reid lamely attacked Sandoval regardless of the subject. He constantly used the tired old tactic of citing anonymous people "I asked Sally, a first grader what she felt about her school. Bait and switch B.S.
@ Andy Jones
Sandoval was aloof and he repeated the same thing over and over.Every answer from him was about block grants or vouchers, and when it came time to discuss how to pay for everything with the State budget that is in crisis Sandoval who has never dealt with budgets that have billions of dollars, vs, Reid who has as a commissioner and chairman has. Both candidates had a lot in common with their plans but Reid seemed to be looking at our entire school system both public and private. I just noticed that the writer added an update which contains a link to the debate, you should re-watch it, you will see for yourself.
Okay this is what I heard.
Both candidates say our budget is not realistic and out of control.
Both agree over 50% of the budget is for education.
Reid has a 5 year plan .
Sandoval has an immediate plan
Sandoval wants to cut all state employees pay by a minimal amount leaving services constant.
Reid wants to leave salaries the same, but with unpaid furloughs leaving classes and public services under staffed a few days a week.
Reid wants to pump money into at risk schools.
Sandoval wants to reward excellent teachers and allow students to choose to attend schools that provide the highest education test scores regardless of their residence.
Reid Thinks the legislature should direct home education money is spent
Sandoval believes the local educators should be able to spend money where is is most needed.
That's what I heard, am I deaf?
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