The first of three debates between Russ Feingold and Ron Johnson was tonight. For those who couldn't see it, I thought I'd summarize what each candidate said on the various topics.
On the whole, Russ was the feistier of the two, and the better prepared; however, Ron Johnson represented himself fairly well: no major gaffes, only one uncomfortable pause. I think both candidates ran toward the middle, with Feingold quick to point out times he agreed with President Bush and disagreed with President Obama, as well as the similarities he has with members of the Tea Party. On his part, Johnson stuck to the (tea) party line most of the time, though not on stem cell research, which was remarkable.
Going into the debate, McClatchy Marist reported a 7-point lead for Ron Johnson.
Opening Remarks
FEINGOLD: stresses political independence, opposed bipartisan trade agreements, opposed Wall Street bailout, listening tours, specific answers where Johnson has been vague
JOHNSON: businessman, did not aspire to enter politics until the health care bill was passed, Washington is ineffective and expensive
The sluggish economy
JOHNSON: Stimulus was a failure, having lost 2.6 million jobs since it was enacted. Feingold "has no clue" on how to create jobs. Permanent tax cuts would encourage job creation and spending.
FEINGOLD: Johnson would wipe out the Hire Act and small business tax cuts from stimulus bill; Feingold would also begin a jobs tax credit.
The deficit
FEINGOLD: eliminate earmarks (joined Paul Ryan in Janesville), Control Spending Now Act to reduce spending; bipartisanship
JOHNSON: spending cap; use his business and accounting background to have spending and hiring freezes; the stimulus bill was a failure, stop spending it; overturn HCR; get TARP money back; no earmarks
HCR legislation/reform
JOHNSON: HCR was an expensive overreach. We have the finest HC system in the world. Tort reform, buying plans over state lines. No to Canadian-style health care, limits innovation
FEINGOLD: touts the benefits of HCR, claims none of the benefits "hurts his freedom"; says Johnson would wipe them out
Global warming
FEINGOLD: vast majority of scientists around the world confirms climate change and man's involvement in it. Brings up Johnson's claim that climate change is due to sunspots, quotes him as saying doing anything about it would be a "fool's errand." Feingold against cap and trade, too harsh against coal state like Wisconsin, too friendly to nuclear states on the coasts.
JOHNSON: this is not settled science, so we shouldn't tax energy. Cap and trade would destroy our economy. "Let's face it: the sun is a pretty important part of our climate, so to totally deny that that might have some effect is ignoring the obvious."
Energy independence
JOHNSON: "all-of-the-above" energy policy, including alternative energy, full steam ahead on nuclear (pronounced nuke-u-lar), drill in ANWAR, drill in the gulf once we establish it can be done safely.
FEINGOLD: still need foreign oil, still need coal, hopefully cleaner coal. Mentions a wind turbine company in Johnson's home town that exists due to the stimulus package that Johnson hates so much.
Role of the senate to advise and consent on presidential appointments
FEINGOLD: has voted for Republican appointments if they are qualified; has voted for Roberts and Ashcroft. Johnson would not be a bipartisan vote.
JOHNSON: has worked with head of the teacher's union to help solve education problems; career politicians cannot get the job done, Washington is broken.
Tea Party Movement
JOHNSON: I heart the Tea Party. Feingold likes big government and higher spending.
FEINGOLD: Tea Partiers have read the constitution before they were 55 years old, the age Johnson admitted to first reading it. Voted against the PATRIOT ACT for violating personal freedom. Voted against trade agreements that cost Wisconsin jobs; Johnson called them "creative destruction." Feingold voted against Wall Street bailout, TARP. Johnson is a millionaire, Feingold isn't.
[followup question re: gun rights]
FEINGOLD: 2nd amendment is a passion of mine all my life. Against gun registration and licensing. Johnson said he supports licensing but changed his mind later.
JOHNSON: I'm endorsed by NRA. Feingold voted for every anti-gun Supreme Court Justice on the bench today. I've read the constitution repeatedly throughout my life. "I've carried around a pocket constitution for years!" I read the Federalist papers!
Social Security
JOHNSON: we've made promises to seniors; we must honor them. Feingold spent and did not protect social security; young people don't think it will be there.
FEINGOLD: promise isn't made to just old people; it's made to anyone who's been issued a paycheck. Johnson supports some form of privatization; Feingold would never allow privatization.
Afghanistan
FEINGOLD: Obama is wrong in doubling-down in Afghanistan. We need to withdraw like we did in Iraq. Al Quaeda is in Pakistan, Yemen. Johnson has vowed never to speak publicly about any way, which is a bad way to do business.
JOHNSON: trusts Obama in raising troop levels. Petraeus is the greatest general we have, condemns Feingold for not condeming MoveOn's Betray-Us ad.
Johnson would never undermine the efforts of our troops, would not cut off funding or play politics with war.
Protecting the US against terrorist attack
JOHNSON: we've had some attacks under Obama, we need good intelligence and missile defense. Obama made a mistake in removing the missile defense shield in Poland.
FEINGOLD: why does Johnson trust Obama in Afghanistan and not in stimulus, health care, or missile defense? We need to work with other nations to find and destroy Al-Quaeda. We need a global vision, talking to experts and citizens. Iran cannot become nuclear.
Immigration reform
FEINGOLD: Obama and Bush wanted immigration reform, but the Republican filibuster wouldn't allow it. This is responsibility of federal government, not state government. Top two issues Feingold brought to Obama: job tax credit and immigration.
JOHNSON: two-step process: strengthen the borders (no to amnesty), and enforce laws against employers who "entice" illegal immigrants to work for them. Feingold votes for bills that encourage illegal immigration.
Wisconsin farms
JOHNSON: My family comes from farms, and I used to work on a farm. Farmers rely on exports: we need free and fair trade. Archaic pricing system.
FEINGOLD: real problem is that retailers, processors, and co-ops are making too much, and farmers too little. Trade agreements are often bad, Johnson would vote for them anyway.
Stem cell research
FEINGOLD: strongly support all forms of stem cell research. Johnson says he'd cut funding. Johnson would destroy this business.
JOHNSON: Health care bill would destroy medical innovation. Supports stem cell research. No cloning, no destroying life to create it.
What one promise can voters hold you to
JOHNSON: Will not vote with re-election in mind.
FEINGOLD: Johnson wants it both ways: deficits are bad, but hundreds of billions in tax cuts are ok. Has proposed $500 billion in deficit cuts, promises to work to cut wasteful federal spending.
Closing remarks
JOHNSON: Feingold is not independent or a maverick, or a deficit hawk. Business experience will fix Washington and protect promise of America.
FEINGOLD: Who of us will be independent, bipartisan, and visit every Wisconsin economy? Who has been specific on creating jobs, address deficit, jobs tax credit? Who is on your side: the manufacturer who would vote to send jobs oversees, or the guy voted the #1 enemy of the Washington lobbies?
Brief handshake after the debates, they don't talk to each other until the moderator comes over.