Chris Benjamin (right) talking to a supporter, pre-debate
We had a ‘debate’ in the 31st Senatorial district tonight between Chris Benjamin and David Pearce in Wood 100 (the auditorium). The number of people was between 40 and 50, not counting the candidates and moderator. The candidates had four questions they were given ahead of time and the audience asked questions via paper.
So let’s get rolling on the events of the debate.
Opening Statements
David Pearce talked of his involvement with UCM and then about his involvement with higher education. He talked of his American Democracy Project events and his Excellence in Governence award. He talked of making funding higher education a priority, mentioning needs-based scholarships for students. He also spoke of his like of Amtrak and of how Students love Amtrak.
Chris Benjamin talked of how his parents adopted him in Alaska. He mentioned the importance of public education, going to Mizzou, and running a small business. He talked of his time working in Jefferson City for Rod Jetton and how he saw problems there. People were losing jobs and health care, less was being spent for higher education. He then spoke of the attacks on him from the Pearce mailers that have been featured on here. He spoke of working together, investing in higher ed, helping working families, reversing the 2005 cuts in Medicaid, and bringing down health care costs.
The Economy
Chris Benjamin spoke about taking care of small business, tax credits and health care insurance. He also spoke of the economic opportunities offered by ethanol and biodiesel. David Pearce spoke of his support for low taxes and economics. For some reason he patted himself on the back for his job creation committee work, as the state has lost quite a few jobs. He spoke of the impact of thw Quality Jobs Program, and how that helps out. He also praised alternative energy and namedropped the Show-Me operation in Centerview (apologies for using a new nickname for that place). He also spoke of putting his experience to work.
Education
Pearce spoke of the economic good that colleges bring to areas. He spoke of expanding A+ to four year institutions (not mentioning the words “Missouri” or “Promise” in that process). Chris Benjamin spoke of how there is less funding for higher education, and how kids are being priced out of college. He praised the Missouri Promise.
The Greatest Challenge
Chris Benjamin spoke of the challenge of health care. He mentioned the cuts in Medicaid and his desire to reverse them. David Pearce spoke of education and investing in education, from K to 12. He also said that he opposed vouchers.
Values/Experience.
David Pearce mentioned his experience and how he talks to people and meets them. He also spoke of “treating people the way he wants to be treated” which is a peculiar claim considering his mailings. He noted the importance of being 1 of 34 Senators and using his experience. Chris Benjamin spoke of being an independent leader who would work with both sides of the aisle.
And now the audience has a turn!
Term Limits (Pros and Cons)
Chris Benjamin notes that term limits led to a more citizen legislature but also led to a bit of a brain drain due to a lack of experience. He also notes that term limits could have caused gridlock and divisiveness. But he says that the voters put them up and he’ll respect those wishes. David Pearce noted that he is a product of term limits since he wouldn’t have ran against Deleta Williams. He noted the same general pros and cons as Benjamin. He then noted that the people should be the authority to change term limits.
Recovering from the Economic Crisis (which is similar to Question 1)
Pearce talked of his work in ‘stopping’ mortgage fraud. He placed blame on mortgages for this economic downturn. He then noted that he disliked taxes and praised the Bombardier deal. Chris Benjamin spoke of how the priorities were misplaced economically. He noted that he also liked low taxes, alternative energy, and wanted to do more for higher education.
Global Warming
Chris Benjamin brought up alternative energy (wind/solar), building hybrids in America, and the positives of bringing jobs in. Pearce noted that the low gas prices won’t last. He also brought up ethanol in gasoline, biodiesel (great for the environment), and Amtrak.
Equal Shares for the State (um, the ‘more for us outstaters?’)
Pearce brought up job creation, noting that what’s good for Nevada and Raymore is good for St. Louis. He then brought up Bombardier again and the work on that deal. Benjamin brought up working together to solve problems.
The Best and Worst Parts of this campaign.
Benjamin brought up his experience of knocking on doors and talking to people as a positive. He brought up the negative attacks as the negative. Pearce brought up the thrill of going to new places as a positive (such as Creighton which has two paved roads), and noted that the negative ads were the worst part of the campaign. Not that it would stop him from giving money to Roe, but.
“What’s worse, voting for a bill to cut medicaid, or lobbying for that bill?”
Pearce had the question read twice, and noted that both are the same thing. But that medicaid was very big and that growth had to be “slowed” (slowed is not the word to use for when you kick people off). He noted that more people were on medicaid now than in 2000, which is a non-sequittir. Benjamin brought up that he’s the one candidate who is supporting reversing the cuts. He noted that it was an unfair negative attack, and He brought up the real impacts of what cutting medicaid involved. Basically this was the best question of the night.
Top Priority
Benjamin and Pearce spoke of bringing in jobs. Benjamin spoke of changing priorities and Pearce spoke of working with local leaders.
Closing Statements
Pearce brought up his experience and told a story of helping someone get a passport. Chris Benjamin brought up that we’re going in the wrong direction and noted the problems we’re facing. He noted that we should get past the negative attacks and pitched himself as the candidate of real change.
In Conclusion, it’s not really a debate without rebuttals, but it was lively enough.