Ottawa Times - The Pilot vs the Politician

News Article

By Steve Stout

Buoyed by recent endorsements of their individual congressional campaigns -- the Illinois State Rifle Association and senior advocacy groups for incumbent Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, and both Chicago newspapers for opponent Republican Adam Kinzinger -- both candidates spoke strongly and firmly during their Tuesday night public debate at Illinois State University.

Halvorson, a former state senator, and Kinzinger, a Manteno air reservist pilot, followed party lines in most of their stock responses.

Jobs, taxes, economy, and their own political advertising were some of the topics highlighted during the hour long forum which attracted more than 700 people to the Normal campus

Both claimed to be the best choice in the Nov. 2 general election to boost employment and improved the economy throughout the 11th District and the nation.

"I believe the president and Congress cannot and do not create jobs -- jobs are created in the private sector," Kinzinger told the crowd,.

His solution was to not raise taxes, even on wealthy Americans, to create instill new growth throughout the battered economy.

"To that end, I will continue to focus my campaign on creating an environment for employers to invest and create good jobs, on reining in runaway spending and government growth, and on restoring accessible representation to the district. That is what is important to voters, and that is what should be the focus of their candidates for public office," Kinzinger continued.

Halvorson reminded the audience that the nationwas bleeding jobs when she took office two years ago and called for stock strategy for Americans to buy American goods as one of the best solutions to the economic turndown.

"We can out-compete, out-innovate and out-work anybody," she said.

When the topic turned to campaign advertising, Halvorson got a laugh from her supporters in the crowd when she mentioned Kinzinger's televised criticism of her congressional Democratic leader.

"If my opponent want to run against to run against Nancy Pelosi, let him move to California (Pelosi's home state)," she said

Kinzinger quickly countered, "My opponent voted with Pelosi 100 percent on all the biggest issues in the last few years -- the stimulus, cap and trade and health care. Pelosi's values are not the values of the 11th District."

Both candidates spoke of solutions in their closing statements.

"Illinois voters want real solutions to real problems, like creating jobs by investing in America and ending tax loopholes that send jobs overseas," said Halvorson. "Sadly, voters didn't hear that from Adam Kinzinger tonight, they heard more of the same rhetoric that results in tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires and big corporate CEOs that ship jobs overseas."

Kinzinger concluded, "Congresswoman Halvorson offers politics of fear at a time when we need politics of solutions. My campaign will remain focused on those solutions, even as my opponent continues to stoke anxiety. The contrast couldn't be greater -- and helps explain why she has little interest in participating in additional public forums."

The debate, the only public joint event offered in the 11th District's campaign, was moderated by Beth Wisman of WJBC-AM radio in Bloomington; Bob Bradley, a ISU political scientist professor; and ISU Student Government Association President David Marquis.

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