Todays Debate for District 4 Representative For the Florida House

Bloggybayou will be endorsing formally a candidate later on this week.  However, today's debate deserved recognition.  First, give credit where credit is due, the NW Florida Daily News did a good job of having a set of rules and legitimate questions ready to go.  It was well organized and went on without a hitch.  I was one of the people who voted for a bathroom timeout (I slammed 2 Diet Mt. Dews just before the debate) and while I was in the minority, the technological demands of the camera recorder allowed for me to take a MUCH needed break.... My lucky day.....

Second, all the candidates did a good job of making their case.  Best haircut award goes to Jerry Melvin. He looked sharp and I pray to the Gods that when I hit 65, I can be as agile of mind, spirit and body as he is at 80.  The man is incredible. Once again, all 5 men  (in alphabetical order): Craig Barker; Matt Gaetz; Bill Garvie; Jerry Melvin and Kabe Woods stood there and not one was at lost for words when presented with a question. I didn't necessarily agree with some of their stands, but I admire their willingness to stand in the arena.  Well done gentlemen.

Finally, I want to congratulate the audience.  It was packed.  It is evident that the Conservative Republican base has aroused from it's four year hiatus and is once more beginning to reassert itself.  Some credit goes to the influx of  Tea Parties but the vast majority of those people who came and packed the house were your everyday, mom and pop Republican voters.  If attendance is any indicator of Republican turnout nationwide in November, then I smell Revolution in the air.  A polite, mannerly Revolution, but a Revolution none the less.

A word of warning however to all Republican Candidates that are going to benefit from this energized base.  Don't blow it with politics as usual. You are going to get at most, two bites of the apple this time. 2010 will be a holding pattern to stop the most egregious of Obama's efforts, both at a state and national level.  2012 had better be a drastic change on how our Government serves it citizens.  Blow it again and a third party will spring from Republican ashes.

But today, let us celebrate the American political system that allows civilized debate between political foes.  Look at our world and realize how rare a privilege that this is.  Then thank our founding fathers who truly devised a way of life and government that made  debates like this possible.