Sometimes I like posting these…

PRESS RELEASE

CBC Congressional Forum – Oct 30th

The Forum held at CBC’s Gjerde auditorium was the first and only time during this campaign where Richard Wright and his opponent, incumbent Doc Hastings met face-to-face.   And it opened up the discussion on a number of issues.

Wright used this opportunity to differentiate Hastings record on Iraq, Deficits and Ethics with his own.  Wright pointed out to Hastings that he had voted to wage war in Iraq, voted for a huge tax-cut for the wealthiest 1% and to wildly increase spending all at the same time!  Wright stated this was irresponsible and a recipe for economic and political disaster.

Hastings has claimed our health care system and particularly the Prescription Plan as quite good.  Wright stated that health care legislation passed by Congress rewarded both insurance and drug companies while confusing and not serving our seniors. 

Wright stated that Hastings had followed the administration while Hastings claimed that Osama Bin Laden says Iraq should be the focus of OUR fight against international terrorism. Wright countered indicating that we can’t allow Bin Laden to dictate where we focus our efforts.  

With regard to supporting record deficits, Hastings claimed Republicans were diligently working to control deficits and the huge imbalance of trade that was principally brought on by 9/11 consequences.   Wright believed that more must be done to rein in spending, revisit trade agreements and protect American jobs.

With respect to Hanford cleanup, Wright stated that its past time that Congress take their oversight responsibility seriously while Hastings says it’s a challenge but with recent ‘great successes’ protracted delays notwithstanding.

Regarding migrant labor, Hastings declared ‘favoring’ a guest worker program, while Wright felt that a true balance is necessary between border security and the need for migrant labor, and an issue that Hastings has appeared to have ignored for the past 12 years.

Hastings favors a volunteer ‘privatized’ social security system, while Wright wants to secure and preserve social security assets and avoid looking at the private sector for asset management. 

During the Forum Hastings appeared to favor a drill-our-way out-of-it policy regarding energy dependency and claimed to be supportive of alternative energy particularly nuclear, while Wright stated that Hastings’ had 12 years to address the issue and he’s only stepped up recently to favor alternatives because it’s become a campaign issue.

The Forum audience this evening enjoyed the opportunity to see both Congressional candidates on the stage tonight.  While Doc Hastings 12 years in the house was thought to be an advantage to the incumbent, Richard Wright hammered away at the out-of-control spending, scandals and war.  Wright asked voters who favor a change in direction to vote for him.