November 1, 2010 San Francisco, California

Climate One at the Commonwealth Club held a eleventh hour debate on Proposition 23, on the eve just before the election. While the positions discussed were charged and contentious, the speakers on both sides of the issue maintained a respectful demeanor throughout.

This video segment shows the opening statements of each speaker, beginning with Tom Tanton and then Jack Stewart on the pro Prop 23 side, and followed by Nancy Floyd and Bob Epstein arguing the nay case.

Since Proposition 23 is largely funded by Texas oil companies, the nay side has taken to framing Prop 23 as a sort of state’s self-determination issue. So Bob Epstein humorously ended his opening statement with a reference to another ongoing California/Texas clash, the world series. While the debate was going on, those in attendance of course were missing watching the game between their home team, the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers, being played out in Texas. After the debate, several people from the audience, including two of the debaters, slipped into a bar across the street just in time to catch the final inning of the World Series. In this case the California side prevailed, while the fate of proposition 23 remained to be determined the following day.

This brief video shows the ecstatic reaction of San Francisco Giants fans inside the bar as they watch the final moments of the game.