Adapted from an article written for the Branson Tri-Lakes News:
Republican Senate candidates Todd Akin and Sarah Steelman found themselves in agreement during a debate in Branson Monday more often than not. The two took turns throughout the night blasting President Obama, Senator Claire McCaskill — whose seat they hope to win in November’s election — and other Washington Democrats.
“We can change this thing if we get the right people in Washington,” Steelman said, claiming “most of the members of Congress don’t care” about the concerns of average Americans.
The candidates took issue in particular with the health care reform bill they referred to exclusively as “Obamacare” and Democratic policies on energy, the economy and education.
“We’ve got to cut the federal government’s runaway spending. For every person hired in government, you take two jobs out of the private sector,” Akin said. “What we have done is systematically produce an environment designed to destroy jobs.”
They both spoke in favor of capping spending and balanced-budget amendments, eliminating the department of education and possibly other agencies, and laws against same-sex marriage.
“What we should do is not only repeal (No Child Left Behind) but repeal the entire department,” Akin said, to applause fr. “What do a bunch of bureaucrat in D.C. add to the education of our children? I suspect, less than nothing.”
Steelman sidestepped an excellent question that was emailed by a BHS student: “If the Republican party is supposed to be the party of limited government, why did you both support bills that infringe on gay men and women?” Her response was “What bills?” Akin’s reply was a bit longer and more direct, but he also said he doesn’t believe he’s ever supported such a bill.
“Unless they think defining marriage as between one man and one woman is infringing on their rights, in which case I guess I’m guilty as charged, I suppose,” he said. “You have to understand that laws are created and based on certain definitions and principles. We’re saying a marriage is one man and one woman. That’s a definition, that’s how it’s been for hundreds of years, and I’m not proposing we change it.”
The two Senate hopefuls also weren’t shy about criticizing a third Republican candidate, St. Louis businessman John Brunner, who did not attend the forum, with Steelman accusing him of “basically trying to buy this election with 30-second ads.”
But the two candidates weren’t entirely friendly with each other during Monday’s debate. They clashed during one segment where Steelman challenged Akin’s effectiveness in Congress, where he has served since 2001. Steelman said bloated federal government budgets and excess regulations “didn’t happen overnight.”
“Congress has sat by and let that happen. With all due respect to Congressman Akin, what have you done about it?” Steelman asked. “For years, we’ve heard, ‘Less regulations.’ Well, let’s have less regulations. Let’s start defunding those programs.”
Akin defended what he called a conservative voting record, laying chief blame with the Democrat-controlled Senate and the “structure” of the legislative process.
“That’s the thing that kills everything we try to do,” he said. “To blame this on people who have been the hard-line conservatives year after year, fighting this lonely battle is like blue on blue. You’re kind of shooting your own troops, Sarah.”
Akin also chided Steelman for not doing her “homework.”
Both discussed highlights from their own political careers and mentioned former President Ronald Reagan in their efforts to speak to conservative voters. Steelman described herself as a “fighter” and a Washington outsider. Akin, on the other hand, cited his record of taking unpopular stances, even when they bucked party lines.
About 100 students and community members attended Monday’s event.
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Tags: Claire McCaskill, elections, John Brunner, Sarah Steelman, Senate, Todd Akin
