Rhetorical punches thrown

• By SCOTT DYER
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Sep 26, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 5:40 a.m.

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For two hours Thursday, Mayor Kip Holden and his three challengers exchanged some serious punches during a debate at Southern University.

The quartet not only traded jabs on major issues, but landed some personal blows.

“I finished number two in my class at the Southern University Law Center. Mr. Holden was in my class,” Democrat Ron Johnson said at one point.

But Holden, also a Democrat, was not to be outdone.

“I may not have graduated magna cum laude, I graduated ‘Thank You, Lordy.’ But look who’s the mayor,” Holden said.

Southern University political science professor William Arp, who organized the forum, was delighted with the spirited nature of the debate.

“Everybody was swinging with both hands. I’m just glad I didn’t have to clean up any blood,” Arp joked after the debate.

Arp said the debate kept students riveted, and helped to kindle an interest in not just the Oct. 4 mayoral primary, but in politics in general.

“They brought the fire today, and we’re the better for it,” Arp said of the candidates.

Republican Dan Kyle launched one of the biggest zingers of the day at the end of the Battle on the Bluffs, when he took a shot at Holden’s right-hand man, Chief Administrative Officer Walter Monsour.

“If Walter Monsour leaves, Kip’s going to have to hire a new mayor. Wouldn’t you rather elect one?” Kyle asked the students and faculty.

Monsour had been rumored by some publications to be eying retirement, but both Holden and Monsour denied those rumors after the debate.

“If Walter’s leaving, he hasn’t told me about it,” Holden said.