I conducted a post debate interview with Matt Kelty last night. A few minutes before the debate, Matt was asked by WANE TV to remove his United States label pin. They stated that in the debate rules, lapel pins for banned. Matt reached into his pocket and offered one for Tom Henry and they still said no.
It’s about showing patriotism. It wasn’t a Kelty for Mayor button or a GOP lapel pin, it was the flag of the United States of America.
Maybe News Channel 15 envies Barack Obama’s stance on not wearing the U.S. flag lapel pin.
NY Times Blog:
Senator Barack Obama’s comments about the absence of an American flag pin on his lapel created dustup on the campaign trail yesterday. When asked why he wasn’t wearing a flag pin in a television interview on Wednesday he said he had stopped wearing one because he felt that the pin “had become a substitute for … true patriotism.”
In any case they’re dead wrong on this issue.
I called Mark Mellinger but he does not arrive until 3:00. I’ll update this after I hear from him on what WANE’s reason for banning the United States flag lapel pin.
As far as my spin on the debate I think Matt was excellent as always. Tom Henry surprised me and improved significantly over last week, staying on point and not making everyone wonder what was coming next by eliminating the pauses between thoughts. I’m glad Tom thinks Matt would make a good mayor, and a great mayor if Tom were his deputy mayor.
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And I was so expecting to see the following headline in the Journal this morning:
“Henry Endorses Kelty: Democratic Candidate admits Kelty better suited to run city with Henry as Deputy Mayor”
I won’t hold my breath.
[...] the rest here. Posted in Local Elections [...]
This ought to be real interesting
why does matt always have trouble following the rules? if he had an issue with the rule he shouldn’t have agreed to the debate until he resolved it. obviously this is a non-issue, but seriously, the guy seems to be oblivious to a lot of stuff…
Well, FWA. he isn’t oblivious to what country he lives in.
Let me get this straight. Patriotism is against the rules! And he offered to give Tom one too! Wow. Perhaps I should remove my flag pin so as not to offend anyone. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the impression that I LOVE MY COUNTRY!
I want to know why Steve Shine has trouble with telling the truth and why Mark Souder can’t make up his mind.
GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
Is FWA really Kevin K. ? Such a bitter and devisive individual.
Frankly, if I was Kelty’s manager I would have told him we are taking a hike outside. I would tell the “news readers” from WANE that we will calling the other station (since we only have two now), the radio media, and newspapers. To explain why we did not take part in the debate.
I would love to see how WANE would tell the vast population of Fort Wayne why they where against the American Flag. About next WANE will want to tell people what color shirt, pants, jacket, tie, socks, and maybe underware to have on.
My guess is Tom Henry even found this to be pretty stupid.
Remember we are no longer talking about real reporters. They have been replaced by “news readers” which only requires them to talk.
Oh, did I miss this statement before the debate started, “The questions have not been provided to Tom Henry or Matt Kelty ahead of time?” I sure do not remember hearing such statement.
i honestly don’t feel i am bitter or divisive as much as pragmatic…certainly i’m not as bitter or devisive as the author of this blog…
if matt wanted to wear his lapel pin, he should have read the debate agreement and removed the verbiage prohibiting them before agreeing to participate in the debate…why didn’t he wear a patriotic necktie?
i do, for the record, agree with barak obama on the whole patriotic lapel pin issue…seems like you can’t be a good american without one these days…
It has nothing to do with being a good American wearing that flag pin. I’m very proud I’m able to wear it. I don’t think any less of a candidate or other individual if they aren’t wearing the pin.
and yes FWA, you are divisive.
Jq,
You seem to be in Kelty’s camp firmly now. He was told before the event the rules and somehow he couldn’t follow them…again. It’s not news okay. So you have to go on and insult the staff at WANE now, the number one station in Fort Wayne. You are really a piece of work mister. I have noticed your mis spellings in your little rants but have not tried to correct you. You are just the same as the other Kool Aid Kelty folks. Idiots who will not tollerate anyone elses point of view. Now turn on FOX news and watch the blond bimbos give you FAIR AND BALANCED coverage.
Not JQ,
If what you say is true, that it was written into the rules prior to the debate, then I retract my entire comment.
IF YOU AGREE TO THE RULES, THEN YOU PLAY BY THE RULES.
I would not use the word “firmly” in the Kelty camp. I for one, and maybe one of a few, believe both Tom Henry or Matt Kelty could lead Fort Wayne.
Not JQ………
I don’t believe that JQ is ranting at all and I don’t have a dog in the fight. I have contacted WANE TV to find out what their problem with the flag pin is.
I am not a city citizen but I work and do my business in the Fort so I care what happens here.
I’m amazed at the news that WANE TV is number one in Ft. Wayne. Never watch it…and I don’t watch Fox News but I probably would if choosing between WANE & Fox. My feeling is that none of the News programs are FAIR AND BALANCED.
It also amazes me at the attention that is paid to minutia when there are bigger issues to focus on. I’ll focus on those issues and you continue to call everyone who doesn’t agree with you “idiots”. Scares me to think you are driving the same streets as me.
Not JQ
I thank you for not mentioning my miss spelling and grammer. Then again, I hope you never suffer a minor stroke that effects certain parts of your brain. If it is too much for you put up, then just do not read what I post. It is your right.
Yes, I watch Fox News. Oh, I do also watch CNN. See, I agree that each network has a certain leaning. By watching both, I hope I end up with “fair and balanced” feel.
Well, as for the Kook Aid drinking. I gave that up 45-50 years ago.
I could be either a Democrat or a member of the GOP. Regardless to what you may think I am pretty much middle of the road.
In closing, this “Kool Aid Drinker” does plan on voting for people of the GOP.
I also plan on voting for several Democrats as well.
Plus one LIb…..
So please pass me some “Kool Aid” as it has been a long time since I have a sippy cup full.
Well spoken, JQ…tip o’ the hat to you. Am I alone in the perception that most of the discussion on these blogs is reasonably well mannered with the exception of a few anti-Kelty visitors who seem to resort to name-calling and insults as a default position? I sincerely hope these people are an aberration within the Henry camp…if not, they speak volumes about the nature of Tom’s campaign and their philosophy toward opposition.
Jim,
Nope. I made a comment a few days ago where I made that same observation.
Ken
Ken, JQ you seem to be closed minded simple white people that Kelty likes. Too bad he will not be able to enjoy the days after the election day because he will be in prison. Wake up and smell the coffee, Kelty is not going to win. The WANE rule is a simple rule for any TV debate. No pins allowed because it is difficult to see and candidates can not wear pins for any cause which includes pro life etc. Get it now or do I have to go into more simple explinations for you. I hope you all go away after Jesus…sorry I mean Kelty looses on next week.