Today was the first of two debates between the infamous Jim Sensenbrenner and his Democratic challenger Bryan Kennedy. Just the fact that Sensenbrenner agreed to
two debates is an indication of how seriously he is taking this election (before this, one was his maximum).
Some samples of the distinction:
On what changes should be made to Medicare Part D, Sensenbrenner said it's not a perfect law, but no one is forced to sign up
. Kennedy said it is corporate welfare and the government should negotiate lower prices as the VA does now. He also criticized the "donut hole" and the pressure to make seniors sign up quickly (a "bait and switch" tactic).
Sensenbrenner defended his vote against aid to Katrina victims because, in hindsight, there was waste and abuse . Kennedy took him to task for not showing similar interest in the abuses of contractors in Iraq like Halliburton, whose stock Sensenbrenner owns.
Sensenbrenner praised his immigration bill because it would secure the border, crack down on employers who employ "illegals" and offer no amnesty. Kennedy said the bill reveals the administration's failure on security given that 4 million people have entered illegally since 9/11, and said Sensenbrenner is unrealistic about rounding up 12 million people when they can't even find bin Laden. He would let the present undocumented workers stay if they pay civil fines and go to the end of the line for securing citizenship. He prefers a system where families come to the U.S. together and integrate into society. He also pointed out that a back room deal giving states a veto over placement of the border fence means it is unlikely to actually be built.
Asked what single piece of legislation he would consider most important, Sensenbrenner said "Make the tax cuts permanent." Kennedy's answer: campaign finance reform and election reform, because they affect who makes the decisions on all other issues.
Kennedy laid into Sensenbrenner repeatedly over things like not fighting for Wisconsin's fair share of funds from Washington, voting in line with his hundreds of thousands of dollars in pharmaceutical stock and big contributions from the industry, and voting to "throw the Bill of Rights out the window." He also attacked the administration for "attention deficit defense" (jumping from one thing to another and never getting security right) and letting Iraq become a breeding ground for al Qaeda. Kennedy's closing brought out Sensenbrenner's stock in companies that use so-called illegal immigrants and the fact that he has taken the most travel paid for by the taxpayers and lobbyists. He repeatedly called him out as a rubberstamp for the administration, and said he doesn't know right from wrong or how to properly represent the people of the distict.
So, a solid, hard-hitting performance by Kennedy all around. If you feel that he deserves some thanks for standing up like this, here would be a good place to show your appreciation:
http://www.actblue.com/page/bryankennedy
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