Emmett and Mincberg face off in TV debate

Earlier today, I had a chance to sit down with Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and the man who wants his job, David Mincberg.  The men were at Channel 13's studios participating in the second part of a series of debates.  My colleague Art Rascon moderated the debate between Sheriff Tommy Thomas and his challenger, Houston City Council Member Adrian Garcia.

The good thing about Emmett and Mincberg, they're not afraid to take the gloves off, and that always makes for an interesting debate.  Mincberg alluded that Emmett wasn't hands-on enough during Hurricane Ike, while Emmett challenged anyone to make that charge after looking at his record.

The two men talked about crime, quality of life, and mass transit, among a number of issues.  But the fists really started flying when the question turned to ethics and leadership.  Mincberg, the challenger, has been really tough on Emmett in this department.  Whether his complaints sound like bad negative campaigning remains to be seen.  But, the guy likes props.  You'll have to wait until the debate airs to see that little bit of interesting back and forth.  Emmett, of course, stood his ground.  He's not shy about fighting back, including a somewhat annoyed glance over at Mincberg at certain intervals. 

Which one of these candidates came out on top?  Tune in this Sunday at 11 a.m. on Channel 13 to find out. 

Comments

[Clive Bunker]

Emmett wasn't hands-on enough during Hurricane Ike!?!??!? Did anybody see Mincberg during Ike?? No, but we saw Emmett at TranStar directing his troops, at Reliant Park fixing up the FEMA snafus, at the PODS ensuring deliveries and in the cities along Galveston Bay meeting with officials out there. Emmett was EVERYWHERE!
Then I saw Mincberg on TV two weeks ago saying of Ike: "That hurricane is yesterday's news."
Oh really?!? Maybe when you own two undamaged mansions in Bellaire and Memorial like Mincberg does, but my neighbors and I are still living with damage from "that hurricane" in our homes every single day!
Mincberg has no real idea what life is like for regular folks around Harris County. He's just a bored millionaire trying to buy a political office. I hope we don't let him get away with it.