Barber and Kelly will hold CD8 debate May 23 (Tucson, Congress: live, military)

[whitem3]

Democrat Ron Barber and Republican Jesse Kelly have agreed to square off in a live, public debate on May 23 sponsored by the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Jewish Community Center.This is the only currently scheduled debate in which voters will be able to watch live as Barber and Kelly discuss the issues facing the district in a head-to-head format prior to the June 12 Congressional District 8 special election.

Not sure I can trust either candidate. I don't see how Barber, being a junior rep, can go against Obamacare which will make major cuts to medicare. Kelly has stated in the past how he'd do away with SS and medicare but now says he won't. Appreciate your thoughts.

Barber and Kelly will hold CD8 debate May 23

[robabeatle]

I can't comment on the candidates but it is good to see a public debate.

[Jukesgrrl]

Will this debate be televised on the local PBS station as debates were in the last important election? The Tucson Jewish Community Center has an excellent good-sized auditorium, certainly an asset to our city, but not large enough for everyone I would think would be interested in this debate.

I take care of a disabled person who would like to attend. I've taken her to the JCC before and while they have handicapped parking as required by law, it's nowhere near enough when they have a full house. She's out of luck if this thing isn't on TV or live on the Internet. She is unable to go hours early to get a parking space and I'm not going to push her wheelchair four blocks, over curbs and gravel, like I had to do the last time we attended a sold-out event at the JCC.

Per the question raised by whitem3, Barber and Kelly would both be junior representatives. Both will be pressured to vote with their parties on any topic, most especially the continuation/future of the Affordable Care Act and any future cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. If either one of them says they will act independently of pressures from their party, it's unlikely that would be possible for major bills that have the public's attention. They are both taking party money to pay, in part, for their campaigns. Gabby Gifford voted against her Democratic leaderships issues sometimes, especially when it was an issue close to our area's interests (for example military issues, veterans needs, and border topics). There's no reason to think Barber would operate otherwise, as he was the head of Rep. Giffords' local office and knows her thinking on those things.

[Marcy1210]

I agree with Jukes that Barber is probably going to operate much as Gabby would have. It was Gabby's idea for him to run, and I'm sure she'll be guiding him most of the way, so his decisions will reflect what she would do in each situation. Since she went against party at times, I presume he will too, if it benefits S. AZ.

[whitem3]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

Will this debate be televised on the local PBS station as debates were in the last important election?

CD8 Televised Debate Set | The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch