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CD8 debate blog and reader chat

Here's a transcript of the reader chat that accompanied the May 23 debate among candidates in Arizona's 8th Congressional District: Democrat Ron Barber, Republican Jesse Kelly, and Green Charlie Manolakis.

3rd & 7 37yd

Kelly says that Barber is lying to the public and trying to scare us. He should add, "That's the Republicans' job!" Alright, Barber calls out Kelly's double talk.

by Pamela 5/24/2012 3:07:03 AM
All you have to do is look at Kelly's last campaign. He has totally turned his coat. Man up, Kelly.

by ArizonaVoter 5/24/2012 3:07:10 AM
Jesse did NOT change his position on us older seniors! Barber is lying!

by Diane Clor 5/24/2012 3:07:13 AM
Ron Barber large government is not the answer as Gabby promoted. Jesse has not changed his position. Barber you are a phoney.

by AZ Greg 5/24/2012 3:07:21 AM
Kelly said nothing Justice. This is like the emporers new clothes

by kblanch 5/24/2012 3:07:31 AM
Ron Barber's civility has somewhat been forgotten. What are you afraid of?

by AZ Greg 5/24/2012 3:07:36 AM
ridiculous to ignore the US Constitution? Ridiculous to force unwanted government health care on us? Ridiculous to spend us iinto 16 trillion dollars of death????????

by dandlac 5/24/2012 3:07:49 AM
He did NOT change - I was there!

by Diane Clor 5/24/2012 3:07:50 AM
AZ Voter you are wrong.

by AZ Greg 5/24/2012 3:08:05 AM
I think Kelly changed cause it didnt work the first time

by Steve 5/24/2012 3:08:32 AM
Barber doesn't lie. Kelly is leading everyone on with his Faux News talking points. Fox veiwers are the least informed.

by monkeyface 5/24/2012 3:08:57 AM
what is Kellys position, both sides

by kblanch 5/24/2012 3:09:06 AM
Medicare is NOT an investment. It's a tax. An investment is funds you have control of.

by justsaynotobho 5/24/2012 3:09:09 AM
Force me to buy something Ron. You can't do it. You try to distance yourself from Gabby's ill advised vote, but you CAN'T!

by AZ Greg edited by John Bolton, StarNet night... 5/24/2012 3:09:23 AM
I have actually not seen a lack of civility from anyone in this debate. The civility campaign might not extend to the national scene and Axelrod, though someday maybe it will -- I hope.

by ArizonaVoter 5/24/2012 3:09:30 AM
Why is anybody listening - most of you have already made up your mind and you are unwilling to listen to anything the other side says

by AZ Ed 5/24/2012 3:09:51 AM
I can swear to you Jesse told me years ago he did NOT plan on taking Social Security away from those of us who already paid in so I lie too?

by Diane Clor 5/24/2012 3:09:58 AM
Diane, when Kelly goes from saying Medicare and SS should be privatized to saying he has always opposed privatizing them, that's not only a change, but a huge one.

by CasualObserver 5/24/2012 3:10:07 AM
Barber's question to Kelly: "For the last three years, 'privatize Medicare and Social security,' you've said they are Ponzi schecmes, they need to be eliminated and phased out ... Why did those ideas disappear from your website?"

by Norma Coile, Arizona Daily... 5/24/2012 3:10:12 AM
AZ Ed I already voted but still listening

by Steve 5/24/2012 3:10:24 AM
Kelly: who are you supporting for president? Barber: my vote is my vote. My focus is on beating you. #AZ08

by Josh Brodesky via twitter 5/24/2012 3:10:44 AM
Ron will vote for Obama!

by AZ Greg 5/24/2012 3:10:57 AM
Kelly has never changed his positions on social security. When commercials take his words out of context, that's unfair. Everyone should agree that the system is the greatest ponzi scheme. Analysts and anyone that has a brain couldn't disagree with that. Kelly doesn't want to take away social security. This debate is hilarious. I cannot believe Barber. He is so out of his league!

by Aaron M. 5/24/2012 3:11:06 AM
Kelly just asked a stupid question

by kblanch 5/24/2012 3:11:09 AM
Dumb question Kelly

by Steve 5/24/2012 3:11:12 AM
He wants to do something about not letting the government take the money we put in so it's gone when we get to needing it - that's wrong? The current system didn't work!

by Diane Clor 5/24/2012 3:11:23 AM
Of course BArber will vote for that bum Obama

by dandlac 5/24/2012 3:11:33 AM
Barber's closing: I have experience, policy and trust. Kelly is too extreme. #AZ08

by TucsonStar via twitter 5/24/2012 3:11:50 AM
Not a dumb question at all... it shows clearly the policies barber will support

by dandlac 5/24/2012 3:11:56 AM
@VoteJesseKelly wow Ron Barber just got had!!! Won't say who he will support for President! EPIC WIN!

by JonJustice via twitter 5/24/2012 3:12:10 AM
Wow - great question and follow-up from Kelly!

by AMom 5/24/2012 3:12:16 AM
Kelly's response: My website changed because "once again, the other camp has chosen to lie to seniors to get elected," to "lie that I would ever touch" the benefits that seniors have earned. Kelly says his website made clear he wouldn't.

by Norma Coile, Arizona Daily... 5/24/2012 3:12:23 AM
Kelly tries to beat up Barber for not disclosing his vote for president, but then doesn't answer the question himself. That question was a waste of time.

by Pamela 5/24/2012 3:12:27 AM
Like my boyfriend says, when a Democrat changes his mind he "evolves", when a Republican changes he "flip flops" - BTW, we're Independent voters!

by Diane Clor 5/24/2012 3:12:55 AM
I agree. Great ? Kelly!

by Aaron M. 5/24/2012 3:13:01 AM
Kelly had a chance to ask Barber a good question and he asks who you voting for. Come on. Everyone knows that answer

by Steve 5/24/2012 3:13:05 AM
Kelly's closing: I will stand up against bad Obama policy. I'm hopeful for USA's future. #AZ08

by TucsonStar via twitter 5/24/2012 3:13:06 AM
Barber has never tried to hide his position

by kblanch edited by John Bolton, StarNet night... 5/24/2012 3:13:13 AM
Barber then says, "Jesse, I just think it would be great if you would ... man up and say, '

by Norma Coile, Arizona Daily... 5/24/2012 3:13:17 AM
Kelly is a graduate of Mittens flip flop school

by kblanch 5/24/2012 3:13:27 AM
Does SN have the talking points ahead of time? Just posted that Kelly is too extreme but Barber didn't say that.

by justsaynotobho 5/24/2012 3:13:28 AM
Of course green party guy gets final word! #AZ08 good debate. Both bases should be happy.

by Josh Brodesky via twitter 5/24/2012 3:13:57 AM
My life is better now than it was 4 years ago so I will vote for Obama

by Steve 5/24/2012 3:14:16 AM
Manolakis's closing: Bring troops home, healthcare for all, clear social contracts. #AZ08

by TucsonStar via twitter 5/24/2012 3:14:21 AM
Ron Barber has ducked Jesse Kelly. I do not want Ron Barber to represent me. Ron Barber will not represent Southern Arizona. We need a representative to represent us, not Obama, Reid, and Pelosi. More freedom and less government.

by AZ Greg 5/24/2012 3:14:24 AM