BackboneAmerica

The assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is proof we need more gun control, says Susan Barnes-Gelt in the January round of Head On TV debates. Wrong, says John Andrews: gun rights enhance public safety, and the liberties of all shouldn’t be curtailed to deter a few lunatics. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

As Head On starts its 15th year on TV, there’s a friendly disagreement about whether Nancy Pelosi is one of the winners or sinners of 2010, but something closer to unanimity on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s continued quirkiness in 2011. Reviewing the old year in the December round of mini-debates, John Andrews lauds the American worker while Susan Barnes-Gelt pans the Tea Party. (more…)

The Republican congressional landslide resulted from a “failure to communicate empathy,” not a rejection of Obama’s policies, says Susan Barnes-Gelt in the November round of Head On TV debates. Okay, says John Andrews, if this shellacking was an empathy deficit, Katrina was a light breeze. (more…)

As the election nears, “voters are giving President Obama his midterm report card, and his grade so far is F,” says John Andrews in the October round of Head On TV debates. Maybe, rejoins Susan Barnes-Gelt, but people are almost as unhappy with Republicans as with Democrats. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

Freedom of religion settles it as far as building the Ground Zero mosque is concerned, says Susan Barnes-Gelt in the August round of Head On TV debates; so ignore the “dittohead” opposition and build it. Absolutely not, says John Andrews. “To erect a Muslim shrine on a Muslim killing field is just wrong.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

For a governor who will turn Colorado right, Republican businessman Dan Maes is “the man for the moment,” says John Andrews in the July round of Head On TV debates, reacting to the implosion of previous front-runner Scott McInnis. Susan Barnes-Gelt has scathing words for both GOP contenders while ignoring John Hickenlooper, her fellow Democrat. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Bad show, Mr. President,” says John Andrews in the June round of Head On TV debates, concluding the botched Gulf oil spill shows Obama is in over his head as president. But Susan Barnes-Gelt faults him only on doing too little to save the planet. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

Three jihad attacks on US soil in six months should cost Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano their jobs, says John Andrews in the May round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt dismisses the Times Square bomber as “an inept dissident” and condemns talk of jihad and sharia as “fear-mongering.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

The choice for Governor of Colorado is showhorse vs. workhorse, hip guy vs. square guy, says John Andrews in the April round of Head On TV debates. And he notes that Scott McInnis, the square Republican, leads cool Democrat John Hickenlooper in the polls. But Susan Barnes-Gelt scoffs that McInnis has a mistaken-prone style as well as baggage on his resume. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

The only sane response to Obamacare is to replace the Congress and repeal the bill, says John Andrews in the March round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt lauds the new law as a medical, social, and economic boon. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

It’s folly for Colorado Democrats to raise taxes and then hope for job creation, says John Andrews in the February round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt chalks up the state’s budget problems to TABOR and other constitutional provisions. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

Massachusetts voters sent Democrats a severe warning with Scott Brown’s win for US Senator, says John Andrews in the January round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt chalks up the outcome to a poor campaign on the other side and generalized disgust with the in-crowd. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month over Hickenlooper for Governor, (more…)

Sarah Palin’s return gets a 2009 prize from John Andrews in the December round of Head On TV debates, but he nominates Obama’s apology tour for humbug of the year. Meanwhile Susan Barnes-Gelt has laurels for Hillary Clinton and a raspberry for the Denver teachers union. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“What’s up with this guy Barack the Good,” asks John Andrews in the November round of Head On TV debates. “Is he a healer or a bully?” But Susan Barnes-Gelt says criticism of the president’s vendetta against “Fox Snooze” is a tempest in a teapot, recurring in every White House. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“It’s a beautiful thing when the voice of the people gets Washington’s attention,” says John Andrews in the September round of Head On TV debates, referring to the collapse of support for ObamaCare. But Susan Barnes-Gelt insists his single-payer approach is needed, though “we won’t get there this time.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)