They both were damn-near life-like: Key Takeaways from the Caraveo vs. Evans 8th Congressional District Debate

I am commenting on the Denver Gazette article, Caraveo, Evans clash on immigration, economy, abortion in 9NEWS 8th Congressional District debate, found HERE. Here is my Five Bullet Brief of said tome…

1. Immigration Takes Center Stage: Immigration was the hot topic, with Evans criticizing Caraveo for past support of progressive immigration reforms and her call for divestment from federal enforcement agencies like ICE. Caraveo responded by distancing herself from those earlier positions, emphasizing her current stance reflects the concerns of her constituents in the district.
2. Economy and Cost of Living: Both candidates acknowledged the impact of inflation and high living costs in the district, but their solutions diverged. Caraveo highlighted her work in Congress on measures to lower prescription drug prices, while Evans pushed for reducing government spending and opposing tax increases to ease economic pressures.
3. Abortion Debate: On abortion, Caraveo, a pediatrician, maintained her pro-choice position, framing it as essential for women’s rights. Evans positioned himself as pro-life but emphasized a “middle-ground” approach, advocating for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother’s life.
4. Corporal Punishment and Education: A heated moment occurred when Evans was questioned about his previous support for corporal punishment in schools. When pressed for specifics, he cited state laws allowing it under certain conditions, but he avoided giving a direct answer on when he believed it was appropriate in public schools.
5. High Stakes and Outside Spending: The debate underscored how high the stakes are, with millions of dollars pouring into the race from national organizations and political action committees on both sides. Polls show the race is neck and neck, with undecided voters likely to play a crucial role in the outcome.

I have a serious bias on this one, friends. Shortly after Barb lost in 2022, the “202” (Washington, D.C. area code, for those of you lucky enough not to know) numbers started popping up on my phone at the pace of five or six a day. Consultants. Interest groups. GOP operatives. All wondering if I would be interested in running for Congress.

I prayed about it. Julie and I flew to DC in March 2023. Met with all the blue-sport-coated ones. Prayed some more. And made the decision to run for this seat in May 2023. We laid the groundwork and announced my candidacy in July 2023. I busted my ass. Busted it again. And again. And again. I took a whole lot of money out of my 401K. Gave it to my campaign. And finally threw in the towel in late February 2024.

One day I’ll record a podcast about it after I finally come to grips with it. I couldn’t raise the money. I couldn’t get the momentum. I have exactly the experience they wanted. A perfect resume. And an even better temperament and character. But I was not the droid they were looking for. Too old. Too white. Too “Republicany.” I decided I would rather be a County Commissioner anyway. That’s where I could have a bigger impact for my people. That’s what I was born to be. I know that in my head, but my heart hurts a little.

Thank you, God, that it is not me – they would have made me look so fat in all those ads. I fully support Gabe. He is a capable young man. Exactly the droid they are looking for. Here’s the deal – I genuinely like Yadira Caraveo. She’s a nice lady. We have a sound relationship. And we disagree on everything. She is a liberal’s liberal, and she represents a lock-step vote for those who want to socialize our capitalist country.

Gabe was cooked up in the laboratory of some mad-genius Republican Consultant. Half Hispanic. Veteran. Cop. Young. Good lookin’, but not too good lookin’. Well spoken. Half a term as a State Representative. A title, but not so much experience that they can throw his decisions in his face. And ambition for days. It helps when they want it a little too much. He. Is. Perfect.

It’s all such a show.

Back to the debate. You had a very liberal liberal and a very conservative conservative fawning over the 49% of the electorate that is independent and in the middle. A slurp-fest. Both candidates say exactly the right things, and the voter who viewed Kyle’s program wonders if either of them are actually life-like. They are both straining so hard to be in the middle, and neither of them are. Middle, that is. They’re respectively Democratic and Republican wet dreams trying to appeal to the normies.

It’s all such a show.

Here’s what it all boils down to. Money and organization. Caraveo has outraised Evans by multiple times over. Republicans want to shake their fist at the world, but they won’t donate a dime. And organization? The Dems are a well-oiled machine (because they actually care about winning and not necessarily being right), and the Republicans are a Three Ring Shit-Show-Circus.

But I still think Gabe can pull this off. He has to pull this off, because the balance of the United States House of Representatives lays here in our little congressional district. And if power tips to the Dems, I truly believe it is socialism or bust.

Nope, the debate showed exactly what I expected: Two damn-near life-like focus-group conjured politi-bots duking it out with canned responses and focus-group tested replies, kinda like the old school rock-em, sock-em robots. Let’s hope Gabe metaphorically knocks her block off – because I like living free.