At lunch today, Joe Moody cornered the phrase "move forward," in various permutations, while Dee Margo made the most of his connections in Austin and said in politics, it's not what you know, "it's who you know."

The two appeared at the Central Business Association luncheon for a debate that featured five-minute opening statements, six questions developed by moderator Mike Breitinger, the CBA director, and a brief closing statement.

They answered some questions definitively (for example, both were against a state income tax) and some they danced around (for example, when asked whether they favored changing state law regarding use of eminent domain, both answered with some variation of support for private property rights as well as the need for government intervention on occasion).

It was the third debate appearance together for the two, who are campaigning for the District 78 seat held for 20 years by state Rep. Pat Haggerty, R-El Paso. Moody is the Democratic candidate and Margo is the Republican candidate.

About 40 or 50 people were present, and Breitinger said in his opening remarks he would have liked to see more people present to learn about the candidates in the race, which is considered one of the top state House campaigns this season. (As an aside, Breitinger also urged people to contact the city regarding its consideration of a ban on plastic shopping bags -- it's a good idea "if you're an environmentalist," he said, but it's going to cost businesses money.)

With that, he introduced the format -- questions developed by him, he said, because from the floor "we always get this 'why don’t you cut your grass' … foolishness."

Moody went first.

He said the future of the city and the state could hinge on District 78, and he touched on his family's connection to Downtown El Paso, where his family owned a business on Texas Avenue.

Downtown, he said, is a vital piece of the puzzle for any conversation about El Paso: "You all know. You've been working on it for years," he said.

In a light moment, he mentioned he went to New Mexico State University, "which I have made my apologies for," and he noted that his campaign cards are Texas orange.

Margo also threw in a light touch, noting that he went to Vanderbilt on a football scholarship: "I didn't say I played," he said.

As he has many times on the stump, he described his meeting with Adair Margo, then a sophomore, when he was a senior, and his determination to marry her.

"I completed the task, let's say," he said.

Margo in 1977 went to work for his father-in-law, who died four years later. Margo recently moved the company, J.D. Williams Insurance, to offices Downtown, a point he noted in stating his commitment to Downtown.

***

The first question was how each would get anything done as a freshman legislator in a seniority-dominated system.

Moody said that seniority "is not determinative" in what can be done, noting that Haggerty and previous representative Jack Vowell were able to work "across the aisle" without the need for committee assignments to be effective. He also addressed his age, 26, saying that it was a benefit, because he is ready to serve and also will be able to build on relationships over time. He also noted that Ben Barnes was speaker of the Texas House at age 26 (in 1965).

Margo said that he has been traveling to Austin for the past 26 years, and is close to Gov. Rick Perry, knows Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and is "good friends" with Attorney General Greg Abbott and Comptroller Susan Combs, as well as many legislators.

***

The next question was whether the candidates supported a change to eminent domain laws at the state level.

Before answering, Moody took a shot at Margo.

Moody said he was "impressed by the laundry list" of friends named by Margo, and said he ought to add U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (who is coming to El Paso for a fund-raiser next week).

"They have not been friends of El Paso," Moody said of the people Margo mentioned.

As for eminent domain, he said, the law does not give free rein for governments to seize private property, but that advocates of further private property protection ought to continue their efforts to "push and tweak" the law.

Margo said he was a very strong advocate of private property rights, but the public should not subsidize property owners who do not contribute to the community.

Turning to Moody's comment about state leaders, Margo said, enthusiasm and eagerness are well and good, but government starts not with what you know, but "who you know."

***

Both candidates agreed that the new margins tax was poorly conceived. The tax, which replaced the franchise tax, taxes a business' revenue, but has failed to raise as much as was anticipated. Moody said the underlying problem is finding a school financing solution, and said the state must search for other sources of revenue. Margo said the state ought to go back to a franchise tax, and noted a state committee is due to make a report in December.

Breitinger followed up by asking what specific new source of revenue might be available.

Moody said that gaming is one source, pointing out the now-closed Tigua casino and contrasting that with the stream of cars with Texas plates at the Sunland Park Race Track and Casino just across the state line in New Mexico. Margo repeated his contention that re-establishing the state franchise tax, and closing loopholes, would be the place to start.

***

Breitinger asked the candidates about the role of the state in enforcing immigration law, and addressing bridge wait times and the movement of traffic at ports of entry.

Moody said the state role was "somewhat limited," but the state could work with the federal government. A border fence or wall is "an affront to Mexico," he said, but security is important. To that end, Moody said he'd further fund the Texas Department of Public Safety and make sure that if someone was arrested and they had an "immigration hold" they would be flagged.

Margo said that the issue is not illegal immigration, it's border security, and that control of borders is a basic national function. He said he was an advocate of "Operation Linebacker", that the fence was not a cost-effective measure, and that the federal government could sort out the immigration issue, but that "we do have a law and order issue."

***

Both candidates said they opposed a state income tax. Then it was time for closing statements.

As he had at various times during the discussion, Moody used variations of the phrase "move forward" in describing what he wanted to do as a state legislator.

He repeated his point that the state leadership has followed policies that hurt El Paso, and that while he looked forward to working "across the aisle" the current leadership has not been willing to work with their Democratic colleagues.

Turning to Margo, he said, "Mr. Margo, I hope we meet many more times."

Margo read his closing statement, running down a list of partnerships (UTEP, Texas Tech, EPCC) and programs (the Medical Center of the Americas) he would like to support.

Without turning to Moody, he said that he was settled in El Paso and didn't want to live or do business elsewhere. "I'm ready (to serve)," he said.

Breitinger closed the session with well wishes for both candidates: "Politics in El Paso always has been a contact sport, so good luck."