Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
What a contrast. Monday night the Democratic candidates for Attorney General held a debate in Tucson and provided thoughtful answers to substantive questions in a civil manner. The Democrats will participate in a Citizens Clean Elections debate tonight on Horizon Channel 8 (KAET) at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday night it was the Republican candidates for Attorney General who participated in the Citizens Clean Elections debate. Andrew Thomas and Tom Horne accused each other of being unfit for office — and each man clearly demonstrated for all the world to see that they were correct.
Will someone at KAET please remember to remove all the mud from the set before tonight's debate?
Here is a roundup of headlines from around the state:
The Arizona Republic Arizona attorney general candidates exchange insults in debate
The Republican candidates for attorney general traded blows Tuesday night in a heated debate that saw each man try to paint the other as unfit to hold the office.
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Horne called Thomas an out-of-control prosecutor who abused his powers. Thomas called Horne a confessed con artist with paltry law-enforcement experience.
In 30 minutes of insults and interruptions, the candidates spent almost no time describing how each would run the Attorney General's Office.
The East Valley Tribune GOP candidates for attorney general spar, the Arizona Daily Star Horne, Thomas on attack in debate , the Arizona Daily Sun AG candidates on attack in debate , and the Yuma Sun Candidates exchange swipes in debate, thomas, debate, attorney – News – YumaSun
To hear the candidates describe it, the Republican race for attorney general is a choice between a con man who is barred for life from securities trading or a liar who used his position as a prosecutor to bring charges against political enemies.
And those were some of the nicer things they said about each other Tuesday night in a debate.
Tom Horne acknowledged that he did file for bankruptcy and signed an admission for the Securities and Exchange Commission saying he wilfully violated their regulations. But he said that was 40 years ago, though he admitted to more recently neglecting to report that bankruptcy on required state reports.
And Andrew Thomas admitted he is under investigation by the State Bar of Arizona for his activities while Maricopa County Attorney. And he could not deny that another Republican county attorney described his actions and that of political ally Sheriff Joe Arpaio as "abuses of power'' and "totalitarianism.''
The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) Horne, Thomas go on the attack in debate
Andrew Thomas accused Tom Horne of being a con artist in his opening statement, and the debate never got more civil than that.
The Arizona Guardian (subscription required) "Horne, Thomas spew venom during televised debate"
Andy Thomas and Tom Horne pounded away at each other from the opening bell during a televised debate Tuesday, arguing bitterly but saying little about what they would do if elected Arizona Attorney General.
The Democrats have an embarrassment of riches with three exceptional candidates each of whom has previously served as an assistant Arizona Attorney General, The Republicans just have an embarrassment. Doesn't anyone vet candidates anymore? Neither Horne nor Thomas would have survived a vetting process. Both candidates are unfit for public office, as each candidate has said in their own words, and demonstrated for all the world to see on Tuesday night.
All candidate debates are posted online within 72 hours of a scheduled debate. See Primary Election Debates.