Brimer, Davis tread lightly in Round One
ARLINGTON -- Republican state Sen. Kim Brimer and Democratic challenger Wendy Davis met for their first showdown outside a courtroom Tuesday night, staking positions and then shaking hands afterward at a League of Women Voters forum.
Davis started to walk past Brimer afterward (photo), then turned and walked over to offer Brimer a hand after the two candidates covered topics ranging from gun shows to gas drilling.
For two candidates who have been tangling in court either directly or indirectly since January, the forum seemed less climactic and more like a symphony overture.
Brimer criticized Davis for "trying to close those [gun shows] down" when she was on the Fort Worth City Council. Davis said she wanted the shows to operate legally, but didn't explain that she once called for limiting gun show sales on city property to licensed dealers -- which would stop sales by individuals, traders and collectors.
Davis drew a subtle distinction between her view and Brimer's on whether evolution should be taught in Texas science classrooms. Brimer said curriculum decisions should be left to the elected State Board of Education -- implying that he wouldn't interfere with that board's religious faction. Davis said, "Science has a place in the classroom and religion has a place in the church."
Davis supported gas drilling in city neighborhoods "in a responsible way" and said state lawmakers should take a closer look at gas pipeline regulations. Brimer began his response about gas drilling by saying emphatically, "I support private property rights," adding drilling has brought Texas $400 million and that the state should hire more state inspectors.
According to Davis' campaign, Round Two is booked for Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bedford/Hurst Senior Center, 2819 R.D. Hurt Road, Bedford. Other scheduled forums are Oct. 13 for Fort Worth city employees in the Botanic Garden Conservatory, Oct. 14 at University Christian Church in Fort Worth and Oct. 27 on WFAA/Channel 8.
--Bud Kennedy
Hmmm...a little Two-Party System bias here at the Star-Telegram? My understanding was that Libertarian Candidate Richard Cross also participated, but does he get a mention? Of course not. Grrrr...
Posted by: JS Jones | October 01, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Hmmm...a little Two-Party System bias here at the Star-Telegram? My understanding was that Libertarian Candidate Richard Cross also participated, but does he get a mention? Of course not. Grrrr...
Posted by: JS Jones | October 01, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Hmmm...a little Two-Party System bias here at the Star-Telegram? My understanding was that Libertarian Candidate Richard Cross also participated, but does he get a mention? Of course not. Grrrr...
Posted by: JS Jones | October 01, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Wow, a triple post. How'd that happen? I noticed in another PoliTex article they naturally mentioned that the Libertarian candidate was a no show. How nice. Point out when they DON'T show, but fail to mention when they DO. Nah, no bias there.
Posted by: JS Jones | October 01, 2008 at 01:21 PM