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Congressman Dan Benishek listens to challenger Gary McDowell give his answers to a question during the First Congressional Debate, Monday, at North Central Michigan College. (G. Randall Goss/News-Review / October 16, 2012) |
A standing-room-only crowd and overflow into the lobby showed just what the 1st U.S. House race means to Northern Michigan during the only Lower Peninsula debate, Monday night at the North Central Michigan College library.
The seat representing the entire Upper Peninsula and a quarter of the northern Lower Peninsula has been bombarded with political ads in recent weeks to try to settle a rematch between incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, and former 107th state Rep. Gary McDowell, a Democrat from Rudyard.
For Republicans the seat represents a symbolic 2010 victory over President Barack Obama's national health care plan and retired Congressman Bart Stupak, a Menominee Democrat who held the seat for 19 years.
Democrats see the district as a referendum on the party's poor showing against Tea Party-backed candidates two years ago.
Less polished than the televised presidential bouts audiences have been taking in during the past two weeks, both candidates spoke candidly at times Monday and dragged through their talking points on other issues such as Medicare. Neither candidate was able to edge a definitive win, but there were solid moments where clear differences were defined.
Economy
Addressing the economy first -- based on questions generated by debate hosts Interlochen Public Radio and the News-Review -- set the tempo for a night of different economic visions for righting the country.
"I've talked to hundreds of businesses across this district and their problem has not been finding customers, it has been the government," said Benishek, a surgeon for 30 years prior to taking office. He called for "fair" regulations from federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration to stop "killing small businesses."
Benishek also called for a refining of the tax code to help businesses budget from year to year.
McDowell, a retired UPS driver and a hay farmer in the eastern U.P., said protecting the Great Lakes was critical to protecting the 500,000 jobs Michigan already has and called for a more educated workforce.
"We have to train our workers to be the highest quality possible to compete in a global economy, and we need to make sure we keep taxes low on small businesses so they can grow and promote job growth and hire people," he said.
McDowell went on to add that working class families also need to have lower tax rates to enable them to spend locally in their communities.
McDowell accused his opponent of voting to end federal subsidies for rural airports and loosening restriction on mercury pollution in the Great Lakes, which in turn threatens the half-million related jobs.
"The things Gary just said about me aren't true," Benishek said, pegging his opponent as a "career politician."
He said he voted more than once to extend the Essential Air Service, which funds per passenger subsidies at rural airports.
Deficit
On what specific cuts should be made to prevent continued deficit spending in Washington, Benishek called for a plan for level cuts.
"One of the things we have talked about is a 1 percent cut across the board," Benishek said. "I co-sponsored a bill that would make those cuts across the board."
Benishek also advocated cutting funding for programs without a "critical need."
The seat representing the entire Upper Peninsula and a quarter of the northern Lower Peninsula has been bombarded with political ads in recent weeks to try to settle a rematch between incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, and former 107th state Rep. Gary McDowell, a Democrat from Rudyard.
For Republicans the seat represents a symbolic 2010 victory over President Barack Obama's national health care plan and retired Congressman Bart Stupak, a Menominee Democrat who held the seat for 19 years.
Democrats see the district as a referendum on the party's poor showing against Tea Party-backed candidates two years ago.
Less polished than the televised presidential bouts audiences have been taking in during the past two weeks, both candidates spoke candidly at times Monday and dragged through their talking points on other issues such as Medicare. Neither candidate was able to edge a definitive win, but there were solid moments where clear differences were defined.
Economy
Addressing the economy first -- based on questions generated by debate hosts Interlochen Public Radio and the News-Review -- set the tempo for a night of different economic visions for righting the country.
"I've talked to hundreds of businesses across this district and their problem has not been finding customers, it has been the government," said Benishek, a surgeon for 30 years prior to taking office. He called for "fair" regulations from federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration to stop "killing small businesses."
Benishek also called for a refining of the tax code to help businesses budget from year to year.
McDowell, a retired UPS driver and a hay farmer in the eastern U.P., said protecting the Great Lakes was critical to protecting the 500,000 jobs Michigan already has and called for a more educated workforce.
"We have to train our workers to be the highest quality possible to compete in a global economy, and we need to make sure we keep taxes low on small businesses so they can grow and promote job growth and hire people," he said.
McDowell went on to add that working class families also need to have lower tax rates to enable them to spend locally in their communities.
McDowell accused his opponent of voting to end federal subsidies for rural airports and loosening restriction on mercury pollution in the Great Lakes, which in turn threatens the half-million related jobs.
"The things Gary just said about me aren't true," Benishek said, pegging his opponent as a "career politician."
He said he voted more than once to extend the Essential Air Service, which funds per passenger subsidies at rural airports.
Deficit
On what specific cuts should be made to prevent continued deficit spending in Washington, Benishek called for a plan for level cuts.
"One of the things we have talked about is a 1 percent cut across the board," Benishek said. "I co-sponsored a bill that would make those cuts across the board."
Benishek also advocated cutting funding for programs without a "critical need."
