Courtney-Sullivan Debate

Joe Courtney’s debate on Tuesday evening was clearly a success. Before the debate opened at the Garde Arts Center the street outside was well attended with Courtney supporters. His opponent’s supporters were lost in the crowd since they were in such small numbers. Courtney, not the best speaker, nevertheless easily parried the criticisms of his opponent, Sean Sullivan, and used his opponent’s critiques as an opening to expand on his own message. At one point Sullivan recycled the Reagan, Palin response of “there you go again Congressman” to one of Courtney’s statements. The first time may have worked for Reagan but the third time at the Garde Arts Center brought derisive laughter from the audience, not at the comment but at the commentator.
-- Mulligan