Congressional debate hits hot topics

3rd Congressional District: Three candidates agree biggest concerns are economy, health care and energy

Kate Nash | The New Mexican

9/23/2008 - 9/24/08

LOS ALAMOS — There was at least one question during the debate between the 3rd Congressional District candidates on which all three could agree to a similar answer.

The trio of would-be representatives were asked by a League of Women Voters moderator to list the three biggest issues facing Congress right now.

The economy, health care and energy topped the list for the trio who are seeking the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Tom Udall.

That doesn't mean, however, the candidates agreed on how to address those issues — or the answers to the other questions raised during an almost two-hour debate at historic Fuller Lodge.

The state of the nation's economy was a common theme touched on in several questions, which were chosen by the league and members of the audience.

The candidates — Democrat Ben Ray Luján, Republican Dan East and Independent Carol Miller — agreed that common people, not big companies, need help in the country's economic situation.

Miller, a public-health advocate who lives in Ojo Sarco, earlier in the day had issued a news release urging the White House and Congress to keep their "greedy hands" out of people's pockets. "If there is a bailout, there has to be conditions so the benefits go to the American people and don't just stay with the people who need it the least," she said.

East, a Rio Rancho small-business owner, said the country needs to strengthen the market, particularly the housing market, but government has to look at removing "golden parachutes," or large bonuses for executives.

Luján, a Public Regulation Commissioner from Nambé, said more regulation is needed. "We need more oversight and we need to put people first," he said. "We need to make sure we are looking out for the interest of the American public."

The candidates were also asked what the country needs to do to pay down the national deficit.

"How do we take down the deficit? We get President Bush out of office," Luján said.

He listed programs like the war in Iraq that are costing untold millions as well as the proposed plan in Congress to help solve the financial crisis.

Miller said she would force big corporations to pay up. "We really have to reinstate the corporate income tax so corporations are paying their fair share," she said.

East said he'd reduce capital-gains tax, eliminate the so-called death tax and help more people find employment. "When people are working, your tax revenues will increase," he said. That money can be used to reduce the debt, East added.

Differences between the candidates become apparent during other questions, including one on Los Alamos National Laboratory. One of the 60 audience members asked which programs candidates would cut at the national lab.

Luján didn't list any he would chop. Instead, he focused on those he said need more attention, including cyber security programs, and those that focus on storing renewable energy.

East said he wouldn't eliminate any of them. "They have given valuable support to homeland security, the war on terror. ... No programs should be cut, and it should be funded to its full extent," he said.

Miller said she's against nuclear weapons, a staple of the lab's mission. "I favor the global abolition of nuclear weapons. I think the proliferation of global nuclear weapons have made us less safe," she said.

On energy, the candidates said they favor a variety of sources.

East touted nuclear energy while Miller spoke of the passive solar that heats her home and left it so warm Tuesday she was wearing shorts.

Luján promoted a variety of sources, including those that can be produced in the state. "We have an opportunity right here in New Mexico to utilize the brain trust we have to help solve these issues," he said.

Audience members wanted to know about what the candidates would do about the war in Iraq if elected.

East, whose son serves in the Air Force, said he believes the United States is winning the war.

Luján said the country needs to end the war and make sure it has proper care available for returning veterans.

Miller said she'd like the country to look to diplomatic solutions instead of military ones.

Another question where a clear difference was obvious was one about which U.S. Supreme Court decision of the past 40 years the candidates thought was the most important.

Luján cited one under which he said the high court acknowledged global warming as a real problem.

Miller, who said she had a top 10 list of decisions, cited the Roe v. Wade case as well as one that equated political spending to speech.

East, after giving the question some thought, cited a case he said protected citizens' Second Amendment rights.

As of Sept. 8, Luján had raised $887,725 for the race. East had raised $62,156 and Miller had raised $44,466, according to opensecrets.org.

If you missed the debate, you can catch the candidates from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday on KUNM radio, 89.9 FM.

A third debate will be aired Oct. 19 on KOAT-TV.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.santafenewmexican.com.

CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATES

Republican Dan East: www.daneast4congress.com

Democrat Ben Luján: www.benrLuján.com

Independent Carol Miller: www.carolmillercongress.com