Jim Defede did a solid interview -- which may be the only face-to-face on TV -- between the two candidates for Miami-Dade county commission District 8; incumbent Lynda Bell and challenger Daniella Levine Cava. You can view the debate, here:
Lynda Bell has the political moves, down. The only sign of nerves; reflexively swallowing before calling Daniella Levine Cava a liar repeatedly. Lynda looks like she's channeling Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. Daniella, a first time candidate for public office, did well enough to register her key point: it is long past due, to restore public trust in government and that she has the background and credibility to do that.
That said, the time compression of the half hour format is debilitating. With an hour, it might be possible to penetrate the smooth talking points. Although Defede expertly handled the problem of time compression/ clarity, his task was clearly to keep things moving, checking one box after another on his script. As a practiced politician in front of a camera, Bell had an advantage: just call your challenger a liar repeatedly and maybe that's the point that will stick in voters' minds. For a newcomer, it is hard getting used to how to make one's points to the shallow convex lens of a TV camera.
Defede was correct: Lynda Bell is in a battle for her political life. In terms of knowing how to make a point to a TV camera, it is interesting that the politician Bell most resembles is former county commissioner Natacha Seijas, who has taken Levine Cava's side of this contest. Like this blog, Defede's program was watched most closely by the handicappers.
Right now this race is about the ground game; absentee voters and getting-out-the-vote. Less than three weeks to go …
Lynda Bell has the political moves, down. The only sign of nerves; reflexively swallowing before calling Daniella Levine Cava a liar repeatedly. Lynda looks like she's channeling Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. Daniella, a first time candidate for public office, did well enough to register her key point: it is long past due, to restore public trust in government and that she has the background and credibility to do that.
That said, the time compression of the half hour format is debilitating. With an hour, it might be possible to penetrate the smooth talking points. Although Defede expertly handled the problem of time compression/ clarity, his task was clearly to keep things moving, checking one box after another on his script. As a practiced politician in front of a camera, Bell had an advantage: just call your challenger a liar repeatedly and maybe that's the point that will stick in voters' minds. For a newcomer, it is hard getting used to how to make one's points to the shallow convex lens of a TV camera.
Defede was correct: Lynda Bell is in a battle for her political life. In terms of knowing how to make a point to a TV camera, it is interesting that the politician Bell most resembles is former county commissioner Natacha Seijas, who has taken Levine Cava's side of this contest. Like this blog, Defede's program was watched most closely by the handicappers.
Right now this race is about the ground game; absentee voters and getting-out-the-vote. Less than three weeks to go …
51 comments:
Lynda Bell is a liar, and I'm glad this was televised because everyone can see her nervous ticks when she's lying.
So Bell came across as very polished and her only slip-up was a swallow before she spoke? I can't believe that even you admit that Bell did well in the debate. That surprises me. I can't wait to watch it!
She definitely was exposed on the issue of attacking Daniella for her work with catalyst.
It keeps stopping but I thank you for this Gimleteye, a good reason to be away because although Lynda Bell governs me I can't vote on this race even though I know she is not right and have nailed her over a dozen times.
Interesting problem here in Denver... A multitude of homeless youth begging on the street brought here by the lure of legal pot ($20 a gram 23% tax). The quality is off the charts. It is a miracle everyone isn't home in bed watching TV. One change brings another. This one has yet to be tackled. I have been panhandled hundreds of times in one day .
We can tackle ours Aug. 26th. Denver has a long way to go on this one.
She was polished if your TV standard is Honey Boo Boo.
Actually, Bell's strongest moment came when Defede asked her if she thought Cava exploited her Catalyst position for money. Bell simply said "No" and it came across as conciliatory and gracious. Bell also scored points about how Cava's claim that she voted to raise her own salary could never be true (even though she voted to put the question on the ballot). Cava should have made follow-up points at the very next opportunity but didn't. I think Bell is vulnerable on so many fronts, but Cava just came across as a clueless lackey for the unions. Disappointed.
I assure you, Daniella is not a clueless woman. She is one of the smartest women I know in Miami Dade County. Lynda Bell is like all the annoying girls I grew up with in Queens: street smarts used to figure out "what's in it for me?" Like her daughter, pull a gun on your boyfriend/husband (?) Because he refuses to babysit. A lot of forethought went into that one --- and she is pregnant again -- number 5? It will be even harder to get someone to babysit.
did levine cava also swallow before she spoke? we will never know because all we could see was the back of her head! lol!
It appears Lynda's polling say attacking unions gets her traction. But as she has said so many times it's the Mayor's plan she is quoting.
Clearly the mayor feels labor cost are too high and since he has not been willing or able to address the root cause of his wasteful bureaucracy and overspending on the rich an famous he's turn his failure into a political sound bite and proposed cutting every employee regardless of their position or pay just to make ends meet.
It's also clear there are easily 150 million ways to keep his promises to the employees and balance the budget. This is totally his manufactured crisis.
Bell is just a shrill waterboy in his plan. But no surprise there, does anyone really think she could come up with a creative or equitable solution on her own?
Mrs. Bell daughter is having another baby. Is this the Sweetwater policewoman? Do all the children remain with her? Or do they live with friends and neighbors? Just asking. A rumor is going around Homestead that she gave up the two older children to friends? This is hard to believe. Since her mother is so pro life and family value person. A family stays together who prays together.
Bell's evil.
Cava is correct on pay-to-play. We have institutionalized this practice into day to day operations of our local government, when it is criminalized in other places in the US.
The reality of youth begging on the street, is enough for me to vote against legalizing pot. It all boils down to our youth. They are all we really have, we lose them, we have no future. So, we have found one unintended consequence already. I wonder why no one is reporting on what is happening there. They are the first test case.
I don't think Lynda Bell is particularly honest or ethical, but I hate the greedy unions (John Rivera and the PBA) even more. I would love to see the questionnaires that Daniella filled out to get all those union endorsements. Again, I don't like Bell, but her message about greedy special interest unions resonates with me.
Didn't stop Bell from getting her daughter a union job at 311. At least she had the sense to keep her part time with no benifits until after the election.
Hundreds of begs per day? That sounds like a third world country. Denver is overflowing in pot tax money. They need to get these homeless kids off the streets, give them shelter, and food, help them transition to living there, help them get use to having pot available, and assist them in becoming productive citizens. They have to understand that they can't have ice cream and candy everyday. Just every now and then. By the way, how do you know "the quality is off the charts"?
i went to Denver well over ten years ago for a conference and stayed for several days at a big hotel close to that long pedestrian mall with all the shops and restaurants. I was amazed by the huge number of street kids begging for money. this was in the late 90's
Lynda wore bejeweled flip flops and bare feet to the interview. I would not wear a pant suit and then wear flip flops. I was embarrassed for us.
Genius has one of those Walgreens test kits.
Lynda probably only filled in the candidate form for the herald. She probably didn't bother with anyone else.
Not to put too fine a point on it but when was the last time the unions backed a republican? Lincoln? Not to say Daniella doesn't support labor but the unions are ABB, anybody but Bell. There was no quid pro quo required from Cava.
Your comment about the Denver beggars deserves its on post. I am very pro-legalization and I did not anticipate that! What can be done to stop that from happening here?
Funny you should mention Anybody But Bell... when her husband ran for office that was a yard sign that I saw. It tickled me when I saw it.
You are correct, Ms. Cava just had to show up at the elections department to get some of those union endorsements. Bell, who doesn't make sure that the county enforces their own living wage ordinances, was not exactly a candidate of choice for someone making 7.50 an hour. Bell surely knows that the county guilty of violating the living wage law.
lat anon, what on earth are you talking about? the unions routinely back republicans. seijas, alvarez, etc. even giminez received some union support in his first mayor run. I remember when the fire union endorsed de la portilla over democrat penelas. they support whoever promises them the most, those greedy sob's.
If pot were legalized here, as a BIG drug tourism state, we would have to set up the shelters and interventions simultaneously with the legalization effort. Otherwise, it would be a big mess, and many tradegies. We definitely are going to have to rethink some efforts for young people. We have to get them out of their parents houses and into careers so they can fuel this economy. We don't need to get them hooked on staying in bed all day watching TV high on pot. They have to do the heavy-lifting for the local community and the country.
Word on the street is that Cava has an internal poll that shows her....well, let's say it's surprisingly not good. I've heard 10-12 points behind Bell, which really sucks. I guess that's what happens when your campaign is run by introverts.
You thinking an extrovert is someone who gets in your face and rings a cow bell? I call that rude.
Cow bells are important in homestead. My son once won one when he won a cow chip throwing contest. No sh#t, they did that in losner park and turned out to be good at crap tossing.
Quick comment on pot legalization---legalize it in all 50 states and people won't come from other states to the ones that are legal.
Poll probably antedates Herald endorsement. DLC's campaign staff doing some things well but improvement needed in other areas. Negative ads turning off her best support from those looking for 100% principled ethical behavior.
It was probably like those polls that Canter got. He was 40 something points ahead in those expensive polls, before he lst.
Lost!!!
Downtown the rumor is jll's polls has it even, that's what forces Bell to debate an "unknown".
This is the difference Linda you can't compare TRAILER TRASH TO DANIELA. Why is it that if someone don't agree with you and tells the Truth you try to close their small business down to please SCUM BAGS THAT GIVE YOU AND YOUR HUSBANDS MONEY FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN. You are lucky that all of us south of 344 can't vote because your ass will be out in the steet in a heart beat.You probably set it up that way. That's why we threw your ass, your clones and your useless husband's ass out of Homestead and God willing we will throw your vindictive ass out of the commissioner's spot
It was clear from both the delivery and vocabulary of each that Daniella is the superior candidate. Bell had no choice but go negative because in the world of campaign stargedgies one who is lagging behind has nothing to lose by going negative. Bell's people have done polling and there is a reason it has not been shared publicly. Simply put Bell, Gimenez' puppet, is in real trouble.
Did anyone notice how Bell tried desperately to throw Gimenez under the bus and blamed him for the crazy million dollar requests for Bell's personal friend. Funny how that works, Bell sponsored the item and blames Gimenez. They are all rats who at the end of the day sell each other out
Bell had better be smart with that campaign money. When the election is over, what does Florida law allow them to do with what is left? Give it to charitable organizations? Give it to other candidates in other elections? Keep it for themselves? What?
Too bad Pepe Diaz doesn't have a challenger like Daniella …
I hate Natacha Seijas and the PBA. If they are against Linda Bell, I am for her. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Well you are short sighted, cut off your nose to spite your face. That is the stupidest excuse I ever heard. I don't like them either but Lynda's allies are a bunch of T party politicians and developers.
Not sure why you posted this video. It makes Daniella look bad!
Anon Just Above: What does either of these two, Natasha and the PBA have to do with Daniella that make you go with Bell? Do you know what Bell did to Natasha?
Natasha was the only elected official who supported Bell in her first county election and Bell pushed her under the bus as soon as she got elected. The fact is well known that Bell uses people and then dump them.
It does not matter if you love or hate Daniella's two supporters. Many of us feel the same way you do, but we love Daniella because she is the better candidate and support her wholeheartedly. She is the wo we will vote for. Daniella has done more to help the poor and middle class in Miami-Dade County than Bell ever did for Homestead.
Consider this, Homestead will not put her back in power. They know her and cannot wait for her to disappear.
Republicans, Democrats and Independents are flocking to support Daniella. Although Bell is a Republican, they despise her. She is bad for the people and she is bad for the Party.
Bell has a history of hurting people and making trouble wherever she goes and nobody can attest to that more that the people of Homestead. Listen to them. Ask them about the two churches she and her husband broke up in Homestead because she did not get her way, and here is running around with her Bible. What a hypocrite. She will never win Homestead, the city in which she lives. She took business away from a Homestead businessman and gave it to the corrupt, jailed former of Sweetwater and, she had to change the law to do it. Is that who you want to represent you?
You had better think twice. You put Bell back in office and you will get the corrupt representation you deserve.
Were screwed!!!
I have to ask how many commenters above actually vote in District 8? I do and am not voting for either. Cava has no interest in the District itself and keeps harping about helping the poor which is great but it's not the demographic of this commission district. Bell is just an idiot with a puppeteer. Both are going to squeeze our tax dollars to their own causes, not to benefit the District and in the meantime, developers keep paving over our wetlands because there is no majority on the BCC to protect us. Even Katy couldn't save South Dade who I adored her and supported throughout her entire time on the commission.
Katy supports Daniella anon above.
Katie did a lot to save Dade, the Miami circle is one stopping the airport HABDI is another .
Even if I wanted to I can't smoke pot here. You can't smoke in hotels, they ban smoking in bars, you can't smoke on the street or where you buy it. There is no where to go unless you have a home which I don't.
Did Bell throw Seijas under the bus? How? When her recall vote came before the commission, I believe Bell was one of the three dissenting votes.
No one here is accusing you of smoking pot. Someone simply asked the source of information on the quality of the pot available there. It could have come from newspapers, magazines, pot retailers advertising their products, word of mouth, community grapevine, rumors, local Internet chatter, scholarly works, radio, TV, a Walgreens test kit as someone mentioned here, and a host of other sources including personal experience.
Everyone there must be doing cutting-edge research on the impacts pot legalization including students and professors at colleges and universities, state and local governments, community-based groups, and individual researchers. It has been over a year now, so a few things should be available for national consumption.
There is nothing wrong with smoking herb. It's safe and natural. Don't deny it! Just toke up and enjoy!
Legalize it and don't criticize ir
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