Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams took part in their first debate on Monday night, but the presence of Libertarian candidate Shane Hazel made for a rather lively hour.
Here are four takeaways from Monday’s debate.
1. Shane Hazel was disrespectful
I fully understand that third parties play an important role in our political process. As such, it is only fair that we include them in televised forums such as live debates. But I thought the Libertarian candidate came across as disrespectful in Monday’s debate.
He kept talking over his opponents and the moderators. At one point in the hour, when it was his turn to ask a question to one of his opponents, he went on a bizarre tangent and forgot to ask his question — to the point where moderator Donna Lowry interrupted him and told him to ask his question.
I also really didn’t like the way he kept informally referring to Stacey Abrams. For the most part, she and Gov. Kemp were very respectful when they were directly addressing one another. But Hazel kept referring to Abrams as “Stacey.” I just thought it was disrespectful and dismissive.
As I said, I have no problem with minor party candidates being included in these debates. But that does not give them the right to talk over everyone and behave brashly. They should adhere to the debate format just like their opponents.
2. Change the debate format
I have nothing but the utmost respect for the hardworking folks at the Atlanta Press Club. Every election cycle, these folks work tirelessly to put on these debates for voters all across the state. With that being said, I think there needs to be a change in their debate format.
More specifically, I think it’s time to do away with the segment where the candidates get to ask questions to their opponents. It seems like a great way for candidates to hold their opponents accountable, but I feel that it wastes time that the moderators and panelists could be using to ask their own questions.
Candidates almost always use the segments to share campaign talking points. One perfect example from Monday’s debate was when Kemp asked Abrams how many sheriffs are supporting her campaign. He was trying to lean in to his frequent attack that Abrams wants to defund the police.
Plus, opponents rarely ever answer the questions that they are being asked. And candidates use the non-answer to remind voters that their opponent did not answer the question.
I just believe it’s time to scrap this debate segment altogether. It’s unproductive and it just allows candidates to create more clips for fundraising emails.
3. Kemp says no more abortion restrictions
Gov. Kemp gave his clearest commitment today that he would not sign any new abortion restrictions in the next legislative session, saying that he is focused on fighting inflation and protecting Georgians from what he says are harmful economic policies in Washington.
Months after taking office, Kemp signed a law that would ban the performance of an abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be heard, which is usually after six weeks of pregnancy. The law has been heavily litigated in court but has been allowed to go into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade.
Abrams continued to attack Kemp as an “extremist” on the issue of abortion, as most polls continue to show that voters do not support abortion bans. But the governor says it’s “not my desire” to pursue more abortion bans as of now.
4. Will Abrams accept election result?
There was some confusion on social media over after she was asked whether or not she would accept the results of the November election.
Abrams famously did not concede the 2018 governor race after coming up short to then-Secretary of State Brian Kemp. She argued at the time that Kemp had fought to deny access to the ballot box.
But as Abrams trails Kemp in the polls, many have been wondering if she would accept the results of their upcoming rematch. She said that she would always acknowledge the outcome of elections, “but I will never deny access to every voter.”
Kemp and Abrams will debate once again on Sunday, October 30 on WSB-TV.