News
Dems
debate, 'beat Snowe' strategizing
By Patti Mikkelsen
New
Gloucester - A debate between the two Democratic U.S.
Senate candidates who are vying for the party's nomination
during the June primary election was staged by the
Cumberland County Democratic Committee on Sunday evening.
The New Gloucester Democratic Committee played host
to this well-attended event.
About 70 Maine Democrats gathered in the vestry of
the First Congregational Church to hear what Jean
Hay Bright and Eric Mehnert had to say on a myriad
of domestic and foreign issues. The attendees were
mindful of their charge to formulate an important
decision: which candidate to chose in the primary
to challenge Olympia Snowe in the November election.
When moderator Malory Shaughnessy posed the topic
of the federal deficit and ever-rising debt ceiling,
Ms. Hay Bright noted two major drains on the U.S.
treasury: the Iraq war and tax cuts for the rich.
She advocated withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq as
soon as possible and rescinding tax
cuts for those in the highest tax bracket.
The discussion occasionally took a lighter tone.
Patti Mikkelsen photo
She would keep the estate tax in place and not reduce
the tax on capital gains and dividends. Mr. Mehnert
wanted to end the war in Iraq soon and to stop subsidizing
companies such as Halliburton. He felt that an overriding
problem the country has is that the current administration
doesn't see a value in entitlements, causing inappropriate
spending priorities. He summed up his sentiments by
saying, "The feds have a responsibility to its
citizens."
In response to Ms. Shaughnessy's question pertaining
to environmental protections and climate change, Mr.
Mehnert cited an executive branch that has "run
amok." He contended that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has been given rulemaking authority that
allows corporations to slip through loopholes. In
his opinion rulemaking authority should be in the
hands of Congress, as it has been in the past.
Ms. Hay Bright stressed that environmental concerns
show how crucial it is to get Democrats back in control
of Congress. She felt that in past years there used
to be a much smaller divide between the political
parties than currently exists, allowing for pro-environmental
legislation to be supported by both Democrats and
Republicans. She illustrated this dichotomy by contrasting
her vocation as an organic farmer to Tom DeLay's former
occupation as a pesticide applicator.
Other topics included a single-payer form of administering
health care, nuclear power, immigration, Iran and
North Korea policies, and Congressional investigations.
What would be an effective "beat Snowe strategy"?
Mr. Mehnert acknowledges a recent poll showing a nearly
70% approval rating for Olympia Snowe. He countered
with another poll conducted by Democrats, which asked
citizens about individual issues for which Sen. Snowe
supports. Approvalratings then slumped to about 40%,
leading Mr. Mehnert to believe that her level of support
isn't as deep when respondents are made aware of her
voting record.
He
asserts that Sen. Snowe has voted 82% of the time
for Bush administration policies since 2001. Given
the low approval ratings of President Bush, linking
Snowe to the current administration is key. Ms. Hay
Bright also feels that Snowe "is not a moderate
anymore." She agrees that apprising people of
Snowe's voting record would reveal the senator's transition
to the far right. Ms. Hay Bright noted that she would
be Sen. Snowe's first woman opponent. She maintained
that Sen. Snowe's vote in favor of the confirmation
of Justice Alito showed that the senator is becoming
less of a pro-choice candidate. Above, Enthusiastic
Democrats crowded the vestry to hear the candidates'
discussion of important issues. Patti Mikkelsen photo
|
The debate was videotaped by Dan Mooers, who projected
that the DVD and VHS versions would be available to
local access cable channels within about 10 days.
Any stations within Maine that would like to request
a copy of the debate may contact the Cumberland County
Democratic Committee Chair Marilyn Russell, marilynrussell@adelphia.net.
For more information on the candidates, please log
on to: www.jeanhaybright.us and www.mehnertformaine.com.
