NBC - "NBC 4, AARP 15th Congressional District Debate"

Interview

NBC - "NBC 4, AARP 15th Congressional District Debate"

Below is a transcript of the 15th Congressional District Debate, presented by NBC 4 and AARP.

>> NBC4 AND AARP OHIO PRESENTS DECISION 2008 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 15 DEBATE.

>> AND TO QUOTE THE LATE DATE TIM RUSSERT, OHIO, OHIO, OHIO. OHIO IS GROUND ZERO IN THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE. OUR STATE IS A BATTLEGROUND STATE AS THE POLITICAL PARTIES LOOK TO GAIN OR REGAIN CONTROL OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE. TONIGHT WE HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THOSE CRITICAL RACES HERE IN OHIO. THE RUN FOR OHIO'S 15th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. NBC4 AND AARP ARE SPONSORING THIS DEBATE SO YOU CAN GET INSIGHT ON STEVE STIVERS, MARY JO KILROY AND DON ECKHART. BEFORE THE BROADCAST OUR THREE CANDIDATES DREW STRAWS TO DETERMINE THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY WOULD BEGIN WITH OPENING STATEMENTS. FIRST RESPONDERS WILL ALTERNATE FROM QUESTIONS WE HAVE FROM NBC VIEWERS AND MEMBERS OF AARP. EACH CANDIDATE HAS TWO MINUTES TO PRESENT THEIR OPENING STATEMENT AND THEN EACH WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION. FINALLY EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT. WE WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE TIMES AND ASK THE CANDIDATES TO RESPECT THE TIMES AS WELL. THE FIRST OPENING STATEMENT IS FROM MR. STIVERS, THEN MS. KILROY AND THEN ECKHART.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. STIVERS. MS. KILROY.

>> THANK YOU, CABOT. THANK YOU AARP AND CHANNEL 4 FOR SPONSORING THE DEBATE AND EVERYBODY FOR TAKING THEIR TIME AS CITIZENS BEING MORE INFORMED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND CANDIDATES. LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF. I'M THE DAUGHTER OF A TRUE VETERAN, PIPE FITTER. MY MOM STAYED HOME AND TOOK CARE OF US. WE HAD A BIG FAMILY. MY PARENTS TAUGHT US THE VALUES OF HARD WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY. OF TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER AND THINKING OF THE NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET AS WELL. STANDING UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. I WORKED MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED TALKING I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE. I KNOW FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY -- JUST A HEALTHCARE BILL AWAY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WITH 37 MILLION OF US WITHOUT HEALTH CARE TO MAKE THAT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST THE PRIORITY FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS. LIKE SEEING GAS PRICES GO UP AGAIN. FAMILIES ARE GETTING SQUEEZED BY THE HIGH PRICE OF ENERGY. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT AND CONSERVE, WORK WITH INNOVATION, GREEN PRODUCTS, NEW JOBS IN OHIO. IN OHIO WE NEED TO TURN THE ECONOMY AROUND. I WILL WORK WITH REGULAR PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT AND WHEN I GO TO WASHINGTON IT WILL BE THE SAME THING. TO BRING YOUR CONCERNS, WORK TOGETHER, SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND ADDRESS IMPORTANT ISSUES AND OTHERS FACING OUR COUNTRY. ASKING FOR RESULTS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. NOW MR. ECKHART.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. STIVERS. MS. KILROY.

>> THANK YOU, FOR ASKING THE QUESTION. YOU KNOW I HOPE THAT -- YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE KINDS OF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR JOHN RETURNING AND OTHER PROGRAMS AT THE COUNTY DOING, FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO MAKE SURE YOUR MORTGAGE DOESN'T END UP ONE OF THOSE FILED, THE THOUSAND FILED IN THE COUNTY COURT SYSTEM IN FORECLOSURE. THERE ARE PROGRAMS TO HELP. THE COUNTY HAS TRIED TO WORK HARD TO BRING MORE JOBS TO FRANKLIN COUNTY AND CENTRAL OHIO. I'M PLEASED WITH THE ROLE I HAVE PLAYED IN BRINGING MORE JOBS HERE. WITH TECH COLUMBUS STARTING MORE TECHNOLOGY JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY. BUT WE NEED A BIGGER SOLUTION FROM WASHINGTON. WE NEED TO END THOSE KIND OF POLICIES GIVING TAX BREAKS TO COMPANIES THAT MOVE OVERSEAS AND CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES. GIVE TAX BREAKS TO COMPANIES EXPANDING HERE. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HEALTHCARE AND ENERGY. INSTEAD OF PROPOSING A PETROLEUM BUREAUCRACY LIKE STEVE STIVERS I SUPPORT A ENERGY PROGRAM, WE NEED DRILLING BUT INNOVATION AND CONVERSATION. A PILOT PROJECT WE CAN GO ALL THE WAY WITH NEW JOBS, BRINGING GREEN JOBS TO OHIO. WE HAVE THE SKILLS AND TALENT IN OHIO. WE WANT TO PUT OHIOIANS BACK TO WORK. >> THANK YOU.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. ECKHART. OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM CASPER LAYER IS WHO E MAILED US AND ASKS GAS PRICES ARE SO HIGH AND THEY'RE ONLY GOING UP. GIVEN THE BASIC LAWS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND WHAT WILL YOU DO TO END AMERICA'S OIL ADDICTION, AND TRANS EX THE COUNTRY TO A CLEANER CHEAPER SOURCE OF ENERGY? MS. KILROY, WE BEGIN WITH YOUR RESPONSE.

>> ACTUALLY WE NEED TO DRILL. I SUPPORT INCREASED DRILLING. YOU HAVE TO DO THE DRILLING IN A ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY WE NEED INNOVATION. HERE AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY WE SEE WAYS OF TOMORROW. I HAVE BROUGHT ALTERNATIVES FUELS. COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AND MORE. BY 2020 AMERICA SHOULD BE USING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY. WE NEED TO DO THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU AND ME, AND GAS BILLS. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR ECONOMY AS WELL. BUSINESSES ARE HURTING WITH HIGH COSTS OF ENERGY TOO. WE NEED TO DO THIS AND MAKE THE COMMITMENT THAT JOHN KENNEDY DID WITH THE APOLLO PROJECT BRINGING ALTERNATIVES. IT WILL HELP OUR FOREIGN POLICIES WITH ADDICTION TO FOREIGN OIL, PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, HELP OUR JOBS, IT WILL HELP OUR POCKET BOOKS. WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS ANOTHER PETROLEUM BUREAUCRACY. WE NEED. >> MANUFACTURING IS CHANGING. THEY NEED THE SKILLS FOR ADVANCE MANUFACTURING OF THE FUTURE. OUR WORKERS DESERVE OUR HELP THROUGH EDUCATION AND WORK TRAINING. SECOND, WE NEED TO EN FOR OUR TRADE LAWS. OUR PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS HAVE DONE A TERRIBLE JOB IN ENFORCING OUR TRADE LAWS. THIRDLY, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON EXPERTS. GOVERNOR STICKLAND SAID OHIO EXPORTS ARE UP TO $42 BILLION. IT'S THE FASTEST PART OF OUR ECONOMY. IF WE PUT LIMITS ON IMPORTS WE COULD HURT OUR EXPORTS. I THINK WE TO FOCUS ON EXPORTS AND GROW THAT NUMBER GIVING US THE TOOLS WE NEED TO COMPETE IN A GLOBAL WORKPLACE. >> IN KILROY. >> YES. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO THINGS TO HELP OHIO. FIRSTLY THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC ISSUES FACING OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY. ISSUES LIKE THE NATIONAL DEBT AND TRADE DEFICIT, THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AS WELL AS INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY SO THEY HAVE GOOD JOBS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T JUST HAVE FREE TRADE BUT FAIR TRADE. WE ENFORCE TRADE POLICIES AND RENEGOTIATE WHERE THEY'RE NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE OUR LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS ARE NOT DEVALUED AND WE'RE TRADING ON A EQUAL BASIS WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AND NOT AS A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE. IT'S THE SAME WAY I FEEL ABOUT THE DRILLING ANSWER SENATOR STIVERS GAVE EARLIER. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DRILL IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTED AREAS. THAT'S THE REAL ANSWER I GAVE. I KNOW NEED WE MORE DRILLING. OHIO HAS GREAT POTENTIAL OF PHOTO PACKAGES AND CELLS. WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST COMPANIES OF THE UNITED STATES HERE IN OHIO UTILIZING FARM LAND TO DO JUST THAT. WE NEED TO MOVE INTO ADVANCE ENERGY. I THINK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PARTNER WITH OUR STATE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. >> ALRIGHT. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH, MS. KILROY.

NOW MOVE ONTO THE NEXT QUESTION FROM DR. MARLENE TALBOT GREEN WHO SENT US THIS E-MAIL. MY LAST REPRESENTATIVE NEVER RESPONDED TO MY QUESTIONS. MAY I COUNT ON YOU TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO ME AS MY SENATOR IS TO BE MY REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS? WE BEGIN WITH MR. STIVERS.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> AND MS. KILROY.

>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. I HAVE WORKED HARD TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ELECT ME HOLDING TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND TAKING THE COOL BOARD INTO THE COMMUNITY. GOING AROUND THE COUNTY FOR ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AS WELL, KEEPING IN TOUCH BY PHONE, E-MAILS AND PERSONAL CYSTS. THIS IS IMPORTANT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE REGULAR PEOPLE WANT TO SEE IF THEIR REPRESENTATIVE. THE CONCERNS THEY. HAVE AS GOING THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN I HAVE LISTENED TO CONCERNS FROM A GREAT MANY PEOPLE. ABOUT JOBS, HEALTHCARE, MAKING SURE SOCIAL SECURITY IS THERE AND STRONG. THESE ARE THE CONCERNS I WILL TAKE TO WASHINGTON. I WILL CONTINUE TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOU. THE PEOPLE OF THE 15th DISTRICT WOULD BE MY CONSTITUENCY. I AM THERE TO REPRESENT YOU. I WORK TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE ISLE. DON'T JUST TAKE CREDIT STEVE, FOR IDEAS OTHERS HELP YOU WORK ON. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT NOTE THAT THE BILL HE BRAGGED ABOUT CAME FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY. FRANKLIN COUNTY TAX SOURCE JOHN AND I WORKED ON TOGETHER. IT'S A IMPORTANT BILL AND ONE I'M PROUD OF. IT HELPED TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE IN CHILD CARE. IT HELPED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT, THE MESSAGE I TAKE EVERYWHERE, YOU SHOULD NEVER SHAKE A BABY.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. MR. ECKHART.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> AND WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE FAWCETT CENTER AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE TONIGHT THE THREE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR THE 15th DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT ARE ANSWERING QUESTIONS RELEVANT TO CENTRAL OHIOIANS. DEMOCRAT MARY JO KILROY, INDEPENDENT DON ECKHART AND REPUBLICAN STEVE STIVERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS. NOW WE OPEN QUESTIONS FROM AARP MEMBERS.

>> MY FIRST QUESTION IS, HALF OF OUR WORKERS HAVE NO ORGANIZED WAY TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT OTHER THAN SOCIAL SECURITY, AND NO PENSION OR PENSION PLAN OR 401K PLAN. WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU PROPOSE TO MAKE SAVING FOR RETIREMENT EASIER FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES?

>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. WE BEGIN WITH MS. KILROY.

>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. ALL OF US NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT USING DIFFERENT OPTIONS BESIDES SOCIAL SECURITY TO BUILD RETIREMENT WEALTH FOR OUR FUTURE RETIREMENT PLANS. WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT RETIREMENT SAVINGS BEING A THREE LEGGED STOOL WITH ONE BEING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. WE NEED TO WORK HARD AND MAKE SURE SOCIAL SECURITY STAYS STRONG. ANOTHER PLAN IS PRIVATE SAVINGS. I HAVE A PLAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE SAVINGS TO GIVE A DOLLAR FOR EVERY $4 TO GO DIRECTLY INTO A IRA OR 401K PLAN TO HELP US GET INTO THE MODE OF SAVINGS AGAIN. ALSO MAKE SURE PENSIONS, PRIVATE PENSIONS ARE STRONG. TO MAKE SURE THE PENSION GUARANTEE BOARD STAYS STRONG AND MONITORS THE PENSIONS. A DANGER IS THAT PENSION PLANS ARE A LITTLE ROCKY. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PRIVATE PENSION PLANS ARE STRONG. THE THREE LEGGED STOOL CAN HELP AMERICANS HAVE A GOOD RETIREMENT, THE KIND OF RETIREMENT THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE AND THAT OF COURSE I WANT TO SEE THEM HAVE AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. NOW MR. ECKHART, PLEASE.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> MY QUESTION IS 90% OF OHIOIANS PREFER TO AGE AT HOME. WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE TO HELP MAKE THAT POSSIBLE?

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. STIVERS. NOW MS. KILROY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT TO ASK THAT QUESTION. NOT ONLY DO 90% OF US WANT TO AGE AT HOME. WE KNOW FROM RESEARCH WHEN PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT THEY LIVE HEALTHIER AND LONGER LIVES. AS PART OF A BUDGETARY POLICY IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE TO HELP SENIORS STAY IN THEIR OWN HOMES BY ASSISTING THEM WITH VITAL SERVES. WE NEED FEDERAL POLICIES THAT PUSH PEOPLE INTO NURSING HOMES BY HOW THINGS ARE REIMBURSED, ACTUALLY HELP PEOPLE TO AGE AND LIVE AT HOME. IN FRANKLIN COUNTING WE SUPPORT THE SENIOR OPTIONS LEVEE. WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS LIKE LIFE CARE ALLIANCE, ALSO KNOWN AS MEALS ON WHEELS, PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO GET OUT AND ABOUT, GO GROCERY SHOPPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT. ALSO ASSIST THEM WITH ISSUES LIKE HOME HEALTHCARE AIDS. THESE ARE GOOD POLICIES THAT HELP ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LIVE AT HOME AND LIVE AS FAMILIES. YOU KNOW, IT COMES WITH FUNDING HERE AT FRANKLIN COUNTY. AS GOOD AS THE PACE PROGRAM THIS IT DOESN'T HAVE FUNDING ATTACHED IT DIDN'T GET INTO ACTION AND DISREGARDED PRIORITIES FROM THE OHIO OFFICE. PRIORITIES THAT HELPED THE RURAL COUNTIES IN THE 15th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. NOW DON, MR. ECKHART.

>> OH, ARE WE CLOSING STATEMENTS?

>> NO, NOT QUITE YET.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> ACTUALLY WE HAVE A QUESTION FIRST. WE WANTED YOU TO ASK THE QUESTION AND ANSWER THE QUESTION. SPREAD WE'RE GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN AT THE MICROPHONE.

>> I'M DOLORES FROM COLUMBUS. WHAT ARE BASIC NON PARTISAN SOLUTIONS THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT TO BREAK THE GRIDLOCK AND MAKE HEALTHCARE FOR AFFORDABLE?

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. STIVERS. NOW MS. KILROY.

>> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW WITH 47 MILLION AMERICANS AND COUNTING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR AMERICANS HAS GOT TO BE AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS. AS I GO AROUND LISTENING TO PEOPLE I KNOW HOW WORRIED PEOPLE ARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF HEALTHCARE. IF YOU HAVE A PREEXISTING CONDITION HOW WILL YOU GET INSURED. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB. I DON'T THINK AS A MOTHER I DON'T THINK ANY PARENT IN THE WORLD SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT OR NOT TO TAKE A CHILD TO A HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE THEY LACK ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE. AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER I -- IT STARTED WHEN I WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT WITH TWO REPUBLICANS TO PUT HEALTHCARE ISSUES ON THE COUNTY AGENDA. WE WORK TO BRING DOCTORS, HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THAT'S WHAT I WILL DO IN WASHINGTON. WE WILL GET THE BEST IDEAS AND GET A BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS TO GET THIS DONE. PUT A EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION TO HELP THE COSTS AND LIVE HAPPIER LIVES. TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CHOICE, DOCTORS AND PLANS. THAT WE CAN LOWER THE COST OF INSURANCE. ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT WE, I'M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS. I KNOW IT'S A CONCERN FOR YOU, ME, AWFUL US.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> MY NAME IS RON. I'M ONE OF YOUR WESTERN CONSTITUENTS FROM UNION COUNTY. THE SOLVENCY OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM HAS BEEN MENTIONS AND THE QUESTION OF THE SOLVENCY. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BRING NEW REVENUE INTO THE SYSTEM?

>> WE BEGIN WITH MISS KILROY.

>> THANK YOU, IT'S A IMPORTANT QUESTION. SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT IN AN MEDIATE CRISIS. WE NEED TO TAKE STEPS TO MAKE SURE IT'S STRONG AND SOLVENT. MY MOTHER IS 85 AND LIVES INDEPENDENTLY IN HER HOME. MY DAD'S SURVIVOR BENEFITS RAN OUT FROM A PRIVATE PENSION MANY YEARS AGO. I KNOW WHAT SOCIAL SECURITY MEANS TO HER. SHE RELIES ON THAT. WHEN I HEAR THE CLAIMS OF SOCIAL SECURITY IN A CRISIS NOW I HEAR REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS TO SCARE US INTO A PRIVATIZATION AGENDA. LOOK WHAT HAPPENED AT WALLSTREET YESTERDAY. YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS PRIVATIZATION WOULD BE FOR PEOPLE LIKE MY MOTHER. I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. I ALSO WANT SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE THERE FOR PEOPLE LIKE MY CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN. WE NEED TO WORK HARD. STOP RAIDING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND, BALANCE THE BUDGET, MAKE THE ECONOMY STRONGER, AND HELP US GET THE GOOD PAYING JOBS. HELP CHILDREN BE EDUCATED SO THEY HAVE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE. BRING SOME OF THE JOBS HERE TO OHIO AS WELL. WE CAN TAKE MEASURES NOW TO MAKE SURE SOCIAL SECURITY CONTINUES TO BE THE STRONG, VITAL, AND IMPORTANT PROGRAM IT HAS BEEN FOR SO MANY YEARS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. NOW MR. ECKHART.
= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> ALRIGHT. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH, MR. STIVERS.

YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. TIME IS QUICKLY WANING HERE TONIGHT. WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE QUICK QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE PANEL. THEN GET THEM TO RESPOND ON THIS.

IF YOU COULD USE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A LEADER, IN WHATEVER OFFICE YOU MAY HOLD, WHAT WORK WOULD THAT BE TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF? THEN I WANT TO YOU TAKE ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO TELL ME WHY.

= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> MS. KILROY.

>> I WOULD TALK ABOUT PRIORITY AND MAKING DECISIONS MAKING SURE THE RIGHT SET OF PRIORITIES ARE BROUGHT TO BEAR. MAKING DECISIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL OHIO AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. HERE IN THE COUNTY MAKING SURE THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVING COMMISSIONS WORK TO MAKE THIS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND TAKE THAT SAME SENSE OF A RIGHT SET OF PRIORITIES TO WASHINGTON TO REPRESENT YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. WE APPRECIATE THE QUESTIONS AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR AND ANSWERS TONIGHT FROM THE CANDIDATES. TIME IS SHORT. WE WANT TO MOVE ONTO OUR CLOSING STATEMENTS. THESE ARE 90 SECONDS CLOSING STATEMENTS. THESE MUST CONCLUDE IN 90 SECONDS. WE BEGIN WITH MR. ECKHART.
= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. ECKHART. NEXT IS MS. KILROY.

>> THANK YOU, CABOT. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU AARP AND CHANNEL 4, FOR OFFERING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE VOTERS OF OHIO 15. I HOPE AS YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS DISCUSSION THIS EVENING YOU HAVE HEARD SOME CRITICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES. BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TIME FOR OUR COUNTRY. AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF, I BELIEVE, THE FAILED LEADERSHIP OF OUR PRESIDENT OUR COUNTRY IS IN BAD SHAPE. WE HAVE AN ECONOMY SEEING DEBT RISING AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE GOING UP AS WELL. WE STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A WAR IN IRAQ. WE NEED A PLAN TO BRING OUR TROOPS HOME SAFELY. AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED TONIGHT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES. ONE IS APPROACHING HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE MUST ADDRESS LIKE ENERGY AND MAKING SURE IT'S AFFORDABLE AND BRINGING THE GREEN JOBS TO OHIO. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE INTEREST OF THE REGULAR PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT AT HEART. ONE OF THE ISSUES IN WASHINGTON IS LOBBYISTS HAVING TOO MUCH INFLUENCE. TOO MUCH INFLUENCE ON LEGISLATION FOR EXAMPLE MEDICARE PART D. THAT HAS HURT THE PROGRAM AND COST OUR TAXPAYERS BILLIONS. REFUSING TO LET US NEGOTIATE FOR THE BEST DRUG PRICES FOR EXAMPLE. THAT'S WRONG. THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE NEED TO CHANGE. I GO TO WASHINGTON TO HELP THINGS, CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT AND CHANGE TO CONGRESS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KILROY. NOW MR. STIVERS.
= = = = = = = = = =
break in transcript

= = = = = = = = = =
>> THANK YOU, MR. STIVERS.

IT HAS BEEN ENLIGHTENING TONIGHT. WE HOPE THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE AND AT HOME HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A LITTLE INFORMATION DOWN AS WE GET TO KNOW EACH OF THE CANDIDATES, WHAT THEY STAND FOR, WHAT THEIR VISION IS FOR THIS COUNTRY. WE CERTAINLY KNOW OHIO IS IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION. WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO SENATOR STIVERS, COMMISSIONER KILROY, AND MR. ECKHART FOR BEING HERE, SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND VISIONS FOR THE 15th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THANKS TO AARP FOR PARTNERING WITH NBC4 IN THIS CANDIDATES FORUM. THANK YOU AT HOME FOR WATCHING TONIGHT. WE HAVE A COMPLETE LIST OF CANDIDATES BY THE WAY AND ISSUES. THAT'S NBC4I.COM. THE KEY WORD POLITICS, BRILLIANT. THAT'S THE KEY WORD. WE HOPE TONIGHT'S DEBATE HELPS YOU PREPARE TO VOTE NOVEMBER 4th. HAVE A GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. [ APPLAUSE ]

Source