Blogging the MI 1st Congressional GOP Debate

Here we go …Tom Stillings opens with his remarks first. Claims to be the only businessman.

Jason Allen talks about being a veteran, run away health care plan, securing borders.

Don Hooper expects to win this time (after 4 tries); being driven into socialism; need to close borders; too much spending.

Dr. Dan – general surgeon; decided to run for congress after passing the healthcare and stimulus bills; 4 R’s.

Pat Donlon – talks about having a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree. Only candidate without a suit and tie on. Seems angry.

Greg Tripp is hosting the debate:

Question to Jason Allen about bringing jobs to Michigan:

• get rid of federal regulations (especially for mining)
• work on policies that give China the edge over US workers

Don Hooper

• need a new governor

Dan

• pointed out that Jason Allen voted for the surtax on business
• need to cut spending and taxes

Pat

• biggest impact would be to free up our natural resources to trail riding (that was his only solution)

Tom Stillings

• get rid of idea of income tax and go to fairtax

Next question: how to tackle the national debt?

Hooper

• Need leadership in DC
• President needs to give confidence to the business sector

Dan

• the problem is spending. The fed govt needs to live within their budget – too many employees, too high wages, and follow the constitution

Pat

• the issue here is debt and we don’t have the will to bring it down

Tom

• key is to quit spending money we don’t have
• become smarter the way we provide services

Jason

• get rid of earmarks, take control of social programs, take control of our state

Next question – if GOP wins house, will you try to repeal health care?

Dan

• First we will try to defund health care until we can repeal it.
• We need to address tort reform
• We must work to repeal it

Pat

• The issue is “will there be rationing”?
• Need free market
• (he’s very nervous and uncertain in his answers)

Tom

• I’m a free market guy. Must repeal the bill. Must defund and repeal.
• Let health insurance be sold across state lines

Jason

• Must be repealed and stopped (he starts all his answers with a recap of his resume in the state legislation)
• Free market solution

Don

• This isn’t a healthcare bill, it’s a tax bill. Must repeal.

Next question: would you introduce or support oil exploration in the great lakes?

Pat

• I’m not an oil and gas expert. This isn’t a good idea. I would like to be a part of the energy program.

Tom

• It’s going to be done by us or by Canada. It’s best if we do it and control it to enhance our energy independence.

Jason

• I’ve already voted against drilling in the great lakes.
• Discussed shale fine in the northern lower peninsula.
• Need balanced energy approach – again all referenced to the lower peninsula

Don

• there’s plenty of oil elsewhere in the US without drilling under the great lakes or the oceans.

Dan

• I don’t believe we should drill in the great lakes, but would like to look at slant drilling that the Canadians have been doing for years under Lake Erie.

Next question about the wars …

Jason

• Decisions should be up to field commanders and not congress
• Then talked about care for veterans.

Don

• We need victory to bring troops home from Afghanistan
• If we don’t win now, we’ll have to go back later
• Political correctness is making war hard to fight

Dan

• I don’t favor a published timeline. We shouldn’t be sending troops overseas without declaring war. We shouldn’t go if we don’t intend to win.

Pat

• The question is why are we there? Protect poppies or catch terrorists? I don’t know the numbers, I’m not a numbers guy.

Next question: general feeling about the TEA party?

Jason

• I have a lot to agree with with the TEA party.
• We have to support 10th amendments rights

Don

• I put on the first TEA party in the whole state of Michigan. Most powerful movement in the US.
• GOP and TEA party have to get together or we’re going to have a tough time.

Dan

• I think the TEA party is great! They are concerned citizens, worried about their country and trying to express themselves.

Pat

• Personally, I drink coffee. TEA party has a function to keep track of government and taxes. Not well organized, but that’s a good thing. I don’t think they are racists or bigots.

Tom

• I am the TEA Party republican. I am endorsed by icaucus.

Next question about new mining in the UP

Don

• Wants a pilot program to see if there’s any adverse connections to the water table. Has potential to create 1000s of jobs.

Dan

• I object to the term sulfite mining gives it a bad connotation. It is really nickle mining. I am in favor of the kennicott mine

Pat

• My business is preservation. I don’t know anything about mining. They deserve a chance to give it a try, but I would want more input from more people before making a decision.

Tom

• Kennicott mine is probably the best thing to happen to the UP in years.

Jason

• As a conservative that sponsored the legislation in the senate ….

Next question: do you support term limits for all elected officials?

Dan

• I have no problem with term limits. I have already promised to serve only three terms.

Pat

• I’m not making any promises. The intention is for somebody to come and serve who wants to go home. They all want to go to another government job. I guess I’m for it.

Tom

• The best term limits is an educated electorate.
• I promised my wife I wouldn’t serve past the age of 70.

Jason

• As a member of the state legislature, we see that term-limits are hurting the state because we are allowing the state bureaucrats to run the state.

Don

• I’m all for it. Six years in congress is enough. They should serve and go home.

Next question: is it good that a lot of money is being put into Michigan for green energy?

Pat

• I’m embarrassed by our governor calling us the battery capitol of the world. We are the motor capitol.

Tom

• I am in favor of all forms of energy if they can stand on their own economically. If it needs a subsidy, it needs to come back until it is ready.

Jason

• I would have voted against the stimulus pkg. I would rather have this money coming to Michigan though instead of N. Dakota or Tennessee.

Don

• We need a technology breakthrough in battery production.

Dan

• I think it’s ridiculous that the tax payers of Michigan are paying $100 million to Koreans to make batteries. Jason Allen voted for this. We need to support the people doing business in Michigan.

Next question: was the govt. bailout of GM a good thing?

Tom

• The answer is no. We through money down a hole and they still filed for bankruptcy and the world didn’t come to an end.

Jason

• One out of every 5 tax dollars in Michigan come from the auto industry.

Don

• The federal govt is too involved with the states. Far over-reaching their responsibility.

Dan

• I think it’s ridiculous to bailout failing businesses. The fact that the govt took GM away from the stockholders and gave it to the unions and the government is in need of investigation.

Pat

• Where’s my bailout. Bailouts set a bad precedent. We must reduce spending.

next questions: would you have voted to extend unemployment benefits?

Jason

• I would have voted against it, but worked for some set-asides to help people who are really trying to find work.

Don

• It’s become a new dependency program. Not sure what we can do about it in this economy though.

Dan

• If we’re going to extend benefits, then we have to cut elsewhere.

Pat

• I drew unemployment before and it was very helpful. It should be a certain length of time. Employees need to know that $7/hr isn’t a bad wage and they can always get another job to supplement.

Tom

• If we ‘re going to extend, then we have to get it elsewhere in the budget.

Closing statements:

Pat

• I believe I can prevail in this election. My platform comes from the Declaration of Independence. My leadership skills stem from the pillars of character – trustworthy, citizen, caring, responsibility.

Dan

• Thank you all for listening this evening. I’m a citizen, not a career politician. I will work to represent you and cast your vote on the floor of congress.

Don

• Thank you to channel 6 for letting me take part in this debate. I am concerned that the constitution of our great country is in trouble and we are heading to socialism and communism. We must get back to our standard as a nation.

Jason

• Thank you to tv 6. I am asking for your vote as a true conservative. I am a veteran and a small business person. I have worked to stop Gov. Granholm’s spending. We must be able to defend ourselves. I am a gun owner and endorsed by the NRA.

Tom

• Thank you for allowing us into your homes. I am pro-life, pro-business, pro-gun and all things good and conservative. We need a strong defense. We need to take care of ourselves and not worry about what others think who want to cause us harm.