Winning the Race in High Heels

Quotes I love from coverage of Tuesday’s debate:

From Rick Holmes of GateHouse News, one of the panelists:

Coakley has proven to be sure footed.  Even in high heels, she’s still leading this footrace.

Joan Vennochi of the Globe:

Indeed, when you have two guys fighting over abortion, it’s a decent night for Martha Coakley.

Suddenly, Michael Capuano started talking like Gloria Steinem, as he challenged Stephen Pagliuca on his pro-choice credentials. Have you ever known a poor woman who didn’t have the money to pay for an abortion? …

Their squabbling was a reminder that Coakley, the only woman in the race, first made abortion rights an issue when the House of Representatives passed a health care reform bill with an amendment restricting access to abortion.

Capuano, who voted for the legislation, later said he would vote against a final version if the restrictions prevailed.

From Joanna Weiss of the Globe:

Capuano spent much of the debate with a look of frustration on his face, as if he were an air conditioning repairman who had just stepped into a symposium on the philosophical underpinnings of the air conditioner…There was even awkward honesty in his response about what he’s done, personally, to weather the recession:  “Mostly light bulbs.”

Todd Domke of the Globe:

Coakley… spoke eloquently about health care and seemed stateswoman-like while her opponents squabbled.  She was the only candidate who flashed a winning smile — and had reason to.  Mike Capuano was the big loser…. his nasty side came out frequently. He was testy, snide, and seemed indignant that he had to compete with amateurs… Steve Pagliuca was another loser. He still has trouble delivering scripted lines… Alan Khazei seemed thoughtful and sincere, as usual, but was at his best on a non-federal issue: opposition to casinos.

 Also, don’t miss this Politico article.