Hits and misses: Both candidates come out swinging during debate

The gloves came off during the much-anticipated debate between Republican Rep. Mary Bono Mack and her Democratic challenger, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, with both candidates throwing jabs during their hourlong debate.

Debate organizers kept both candidates and their entourages — including their respective husbands — in separate parts of the KPSP Local 2 building and timed their pre-stage preparations so they didn't intermingle.

It wasn't until both candidates arrived on stage and put on their microphones that they met face to face.

And yes, the candidates did shake hands before and after.

Spin control

Timing is always an issue on a live show. But in the race to declare themselves the winner, Bono Mack's campaign beat Pougnet to the punch.

Before the moderators had even left the stage, her campaign manager issued a news release and message to supporters to announce Bono Mack's “clear victory.”

Just minutes after her first release came out, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reached out to local media as well.

Instead of touting Pougnet's performance, they chose to point out a list of issues Bono Mack continued to dodge.

Several debate-watching parties were held across the valley, including a standing-room-only crowd at the Democratic party headquarters in Cathedral City.

And while Pougnet supporters had plenty to praise, they booed when he responded to a question about the controversial mosque proposed near Ground Zero.

Pougnet said the president should have taken a stand, but added that he personally wouldn't support the building because of potential development hazards and traffic at the site.

As David Freedman , who lives in New York but has a home in Palm Springs, yelled at the television: “We take the subway.”

Mariecar Mendoza contributed to this column. Erica Felci is a reporter for The Desert Sun who also writes the weekly Statehouse Insider column. Send your items to erica.felci@thedesertsun.com.