BackboneAmerica

“The Messiah of 2008 went missing” in summer 2009, says John Andrews in the August round of Head On TV debates, predicting that Obama “will continue to struggle until he stops overreaching.” But Susan Barnes-Gelt predicts the young president “will prevail because people trust him.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Obama’s job-killing energy tax must be defeated in the Senate,” says John Andrews in the July round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt says Obama’s cap and trade bill will create jobs and help save the planet. Who can be against that? John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

Amidst US passivity toward Iran’s stolen election, “some doctor needs to give President Obama a backbone transplant.” says John Andrews in the June round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt praises Obama’s “calm and neutral” approach to the Islamic republic’s “internal wrangling.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Republicans will come back” sooner rather than later, says John Andrews in the May round of Head On TV debates, and “2010 will be no fun for Democrats.” Susan Barnes-Gelt taunts that the GOP may face permanent marginal status as “a minority, Southern party.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month over the RTD follies and the US war in Central Asia. (more…)

“Barnstorming from one ungrateful, uncooperative country to the next, signaling weakness, apologizing for America’s generosity and sacrifice? That’s not my idea of success,” says John Andrews of Obama’s foreign trip in the April round of Head On TV debates. But Susan Barnes-Gelt argues the President was impressive abroad and later in the piracy hostage crisis. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

Susan Barnes-Gelt, “inspired by the intelligence, work ethic and generosity of spirit of the Mexican people” after a recent vacation down there, says Colorado should provide in-state tuition for illegal aliens. Firing back in the March round of Head On TV debates, John Andrews says that idea flunks, it’s “flat wrong.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Thank goodness the Republicans are rediscovering their backbone under Obama,” says John Andrews in the February round of Head On TV debates. Susan Barnes-Gelt scoffs that “tt’s a new day and the Grumpy Old Partisans are tone deaf.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month over Obama’s honeymoon, Salazar’s agenda at Interior, (more…)

“That’s real economic stimulus,” says John Andrews about GOP tax-holiday proposals in the January round of Head On TV debates. Susan Barnes-Gelt prefers the Keynesian approach, arguing that “shovel-ready projects need funding.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Productive industry owned and run by federal bureaucrats is an impossible fantasy. It will worsen the economy, just as it did in the ‘30s,” warns John Andrews about the proposed automaker bailout in the December round of Head On TV debates. Susan Barnes-Gelt says the Detroit rescue is necessary for an “economy stuck on empty.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Ritter’s big loss on the severance tax further weakens him for reelection. says John Andrews in the November round of Head On TV debates, adding that Dems got dinged in some legislative races too. Susan Barnes-Gelt deplores the severance defeat and the impact of term limits on her party. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month over the US Senate and House results, the outlook for Obama’s presidency, and early odds for 2012. (more…)

“Obama is too risky. McCain has the courage and judgment to protect America in a dangerous world.” says John Andrews in the October round of Head On TV debates. Susan Barnes-Gelt scoffs at the GOP candidate as “McPain… a pander bear” who would be an “erratic and unfocused” president. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month over the US Senate campaigns, legislative races, and the ballot issues, with a trick-or-treat twist (more…)

Out of 18 proposals on the crowded Colorado ballot, only Nos. 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, and 54 are “conservative winners” that deserve to pass, says John Andrews in the September round of Head On TV debates. “Childish,” counters Susan Barnes-Gelt, who supports nothing but No. 59, the TABOR-buster from Speaker Romanoff. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month over the presidential race, the DNC in Denver, and the Schaffer-Udall battle. Head On has been a daily feature on Colorado Public Television since 1997. Here are all five scripts (more…)

“Obama’s coronation is no longer a sure thing,” notes John Andrews in the August round of Head On TV debates, while in Colorado’s US Senate race, “Udall’s lead has evaporated.” But Susan Barnes-Gelt scoffs at their respective opponents, “mercurial” John McCain and “uber-conservative” Bob Schaffer. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“Enemy fighters seized in a battle zone have no presumption of innocence. This is a dangerous decision,” says John Andrews in the June round of Head On TV debates. Wrong, counters Susan Barnes-Gelt; the court was right to rebuke Bush’s “abuse of executive authority.” John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)

“This Republican is disgusted with my party’s record in Washington. Did GOP congressional leaders learn nothing from their drubbing two years ago?” asks John Andrews in the May round of Head On TV debates. “The Republican so-called brand needs a major makeover,” agrees Susan Barnes-Gelt, trying not to gloat. John on the right, Susan on the left, also go at it this month (more…)