Pa CD-7: Both GOP Candidates Pledge Allegiance to Flag ... and Trump

Marty Nothstein (L) and Dean Browning (R)

Last night, Republicans Dean Browning and Marty Nothstein participated in their one and only debate at Palmer Tp's Brown and Lynch American Legion before about 100 angry Republicans fueled by free meatballs and soft drinks (booze was available, but these are Republicans) First, they all solemnly participated in a heartfelt prayer from Bob Kilbanks, who really whipped himself into a frenzy. After that, the mood was still somber as the Pledge of Allegiance was piously recited by outdoorsman Teg Hughes, who humanely traps and removes skunks and other vermin for businesses and schools. (He never got me).  A 21-gun salute had also been planned, but had to be canceled when it dawned on organizers that the audience might mistake it as an attack from Mexico and respond by blasting away with the guns that each and every one of them was secretly carrying.What followed was a night in which both Browning and Nothstein took turns repeating another kind of Pledge of Allegiance, except this one was to Donald Trump.

Sharbell Koorie (Daddy's Place) was the DJ

My impression is that Browning was more polished and prepared than Nothstein. For example, Nothstein was unable to say what legislative initiatives he'd propose if he won, explaining that he's concentrating on getting elected first  It's bizarre that someone would run for the legislature and have no idea what measures he'd like to promote when he gets there. But Nothstein won the debate. He was better at going for the throat than Browning and had better one-liners.

Believe it or not, stark differences between these two candidates emerged during a lightning round conducted by GOP Chair Lee Snover. I suspect this is an idea she stole from the NextGen America debate conducted a few weeks earlier by the Democrats. Asked to name country music stars, Nothstein rattled off a few names. Browning was stumped. This drew some gasps. That's almost as bad as taking the knee during the national anthem. This continued when Nothstein said he went to Emmaus High School, while Browning mentioned one in Ohio. What really did Browning in was where he gets his coffee. Nothstein said wherever he could, while Browning answered Starbucks. Brown and Lynch nearly lynched Browning after that response. Nothstein got Ron Angle's vote and a few laughs when he said his favorite talk show host is Ron Angle.

His Eminence, Ron Angle, was my
bodyguard (photo stolen from Ed White) 

Nothstein's competitive fire erupted at times during the debate. Right off the bat, he corrected a moderator who mispronounced his name, in a touch of arrogance  That hurt him a little. But he nailed Browning later, when candidates were permitted to question each other.

Browning, in negative mailers, has repeatedly associated Nothstein with Wayne Woodman. Wayne is a gazillionaire and a Republican who has low regard  for Donald Trump and never supported him. Browning noted that 20% of Nothstein's money comes from Woodman family members. He asked why Nothstein would take this money from someone who despises The Donald.

Nothstein answered that he and Woodman have many differences, and Trump is one of them. But, as he explained, "You're running against me, not Wayne Woodman."  He called attempts to tie him to Woodman "guilt by association." "My opponent has Wayne on the brain," he said to laughter.

Browning and Woodman have been enemies for years, and I suspect this colored Browning's judgment. He really does have Wayne on the brain.

The meatballs flowed freely

When it was Nothstein's turn to question Browning, he hammered him. He noted that Browning has contributed significant sums to moderate Republicans over the years. People like John Boehner, John McCain, Mitch McConnell and Charlie Dent. "How can you say you're going to drain the swamp when you feed the swamp?" he asked.

"I haven't given to Dent in some time," answered Browning.

"2016?" Nothstein continued, noting that Dent has received $20,000 from Browning over the years.

All Browning could say at this point was that he is "extremely disappointed" in Dent.

Browning also fell flat at another point in the debate, when he accused Nothstein of  "going around in circles, like in a bicycle race." 

Nobody laughed.

Instead, Nothstein dismissed Browning's shot by saying he'd race him.

Both candidates insisted they were early Trump supporters, but both admitted that they initially supported Ted Cruz. Nothstein said he could "be trusted" to vote with Trump while Browning called the orange Wonder "our last best chance."

LWV debate - Candidates were questioned about the League of Women Voters debate, scheduled for tonight, that Nothstein decided to boycott. "I oppose blatant gerrymandering," he explained, but said the lawsuit should have been filed sooner. He added that the LWV supports too many liberal issues. "It would not be a fair debate," he concluded.

Browning called the new districts a blatant overreach by the Supreme Court But he said that the republican candidate has to draw some independent and Democratic votes to win. "We do not serve ourselves well by preaching to the choir," he argued.

Speaker of the House. - "I can tell you who I don't want to be Speaker of the House, and that's Nancy Pelosi," said Browning, which resulted in the largest cheers he received.

DACA.- Both oppose DACA until a wall is in place and sanctuary cities are abolished. Even then, Browning would refuse to grant citizenship. Nothstein would grant it.

$20 trillion debt.- Congress has been "kicking the can down the road" with increased spending, said Nothstein. "America does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem," he concluded.Browning said "[w]e need to stop spending more than we take in revenue." His solution is zero-based budgeting and a reform of social security disability, which he claims has tripled.

Border Security. - Nothstein argues that weak borders have led to increased drugs and human trafficking. Browning explained that enhanced security could be attained by freezing the funding  to sanctuary cities.

Special interests. - Both candidates  said the best way to avoid the influence of  special interests is by getting in and getting out. Browning pledged to serve no more than three terms. Nothstein said he would not be around for long.

Comey. - Both said the former FBI Director should be prosecuted and jailed.

Rising Student Debt. - "Nothing is free in this life," said Browning. He'd resolve the problem by removing the federal guarantee. Nothstein said he'd push for lower loan rates. He said many people should consider a trade as opposed to a college education. "We need more welders and not philosophy majors," he observed.

Abortion. - Neither candidate supports Planned Parenthood. Browning is opposed to abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Nothstein appears to be absolutely opposed. "I will fight for unborn children every single day," he vowed.

School shootings. - Both are opposed to increased gun control, except Nothstein would support a ban on bumpstocks. Both agree the real problem is mental health, and Browning said federal law should be relaxed to permit more accurate background checks. Both oppose raising the age to own forearms to 21. Nothstein asked, "You can fight for us, but can't go to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy a firearm?" Both oppose bans on assault style rifles.

Obamacare. - Both support a full repeal.

Both Republican candidates appear to be very conservative and well organized. Unfortunately, Democrats are spending their money fighting each other.