LIVE from Meydenbauer Center: Darcy Burner and Dave Reichert debate in WA-08

It's twelve fifteen on October 8th, and that means it's time for the first congressional debate between the two finalists in Washington's 8th Congressional District - incumbent Republican Dave Reichert and his Democratic challenger, our very own Darcy Burner.

We've just been introduced to the panelists for today's debate - Joni Balter from the Seattle Times, C.R. Douglas of the Seattle Channel, and Thomas Tanaka of Leadership Eastside. And now, here come the candidates up on stage!

This will be a very fast paced debate. I'll do my best to keep up.

Opening Statements

Reichert: Thanked everyone for coming, tried to appear folksy and friendly. He said when he started he probably wouldn't use his full two minutes and he didn't. No real substance in his opening statement.

Burner: Began by talking about the degree in economics she earned at Harvard, and her experience in the high tech sector, including her time at Microsoft. Talked about her economic plan to help the middle class.

First question is about the bailout.

Burner: Opposed the Bush plan.

Reichert: Voted against the Bush plan because he didn't think it was well put together.

Second question - what policies do you favor to jumpstart the economy?

Reichert: Homeowners and ordinary Americans need more protection (gee, now there's a thought).

Burner: Three things: First, a stimulus in the form of middle class tax cuts. Second, investment in the future of our country...better schools, renewable energy, etc. Third, we need real fiscal discipline in Washington. There is no such thing as a "free lunch."

Third question - are tax cuts sustainable?

Burner: We need to help out the middle class. They are paying more than their fair share. But Congress also needs to be more responsible with the federal budget.

Reichert: Attacked Darcy Burner's economic plan, arguing that some of the tax deduction components of it are illegal and unworkable. Reichert had to abruptly stop mid-sentence as he realized his time was up.

Fourth question - how do we prevent this crisis from happening again?

Reichert: We need to investigate what got us here in the first place. Admitted, "I'm not an economic expert." Chided the Bush administration for not providing an opportunity to examine the bailout plan.

Burner: We need to re-regulate and restore oversight of the banking industry. When there's no accountability, financial panic can ensue.

Fifth question - What would you support cutting if the deficit is too big? Do you have a deficit target?

Burner: The deficit is too big. We have to bring it under control. We need progressive fiscal responsibility and we need pay-as-you-go rules.

Reichert: PAYGO is a great concept, but it requires cutting spending, raising taxes, or borrowing money. What we really need to do is investing money into new energy and new technology. He ran short of his time again and wasn't able to say what he would cut (after he criticized Darcy Burner for not providing specific details of what she would cut).

Sixth question - What are the biggest issues facing our local industries?

Reichert: Cited transportation as a concern.

Burner: We are incredibly fortunate that we have Microsoft and Boeing here. Would be "one of the most tech-savvy members" of Congress.

Seventh question is about Iraq. What is the wisest course of action?

Burner: Our troops have done a wonderful job. They've actually retrained themselves to do diplomatic work that no one else was doing. They have succeeded in spite of and not because of George W. Bush's failed foreign policy. We must bring the Iraq conflict to close.

Reichert: Our generals run the war. Reichert listens to them. In other words, he's admitting that he just approves of whatever the military wants. "I've been to Iraq", Reichert added later. He was again cut short mid-sentence - "I'm supposed to stop."

Reichert is doing a terrible job of managing his time.

Next question - what's your strategy for winning in Afghanistan?

Reichert: He's talked to people on the ground there and would like to give them more support to accomplish their mission.

Burner: A go it-alone foreign policy doesn't work. We have to work with our allies and friends to solve problems - which the Bush administration hasn't done.

Next question is about enemy combatants.

Should they be protected under the Geneva Conventions?

Burner: It's dangerous for us to set aside the basic protections of the law when we find them inconvenient. Every individual has fundamental rights that the government should not abridge. Every enemy combatant should enjoy the rights they have under the Geneva Conventions.

Reichert: Yes. Agrees with Darcy Burner. In the midst of talking about how wonderful the idea of community is, he was AGAIN cut off mid sentence!

Next question - What is the best way to avoid trouble with another dangerous country?

Reichert: We can't be afraid to act when America is threatened. (Sort of sounds like an endorsement of the Bush Doctrine).

Burner: We can't just deal with our enemies abroad militarily. We have to work diplomatically with our allies to solve problems.

Next question is what is your approach to trade?

Burner: Trade is important but we need to protect jobs here at home. We also need to protect families who are being hurt because many of the products we are importing from aboard are unsafe.

Reichert: Many of our local jobs rely on trade. Expressed concern that Democrats might harm the free exchange of goods by imposing greater protections. And...Cut off AGAIN! The whole room is laughing at Reichert because he keeps getting stopped mid-sentence. Pretty embarrassing.

Next question - Do we have any ability to influence China on human rights?

Burner: We have a big trade imbalance with China. We need to fix that.

Next question - What is your most fundamental disagreement with the presidential nominee of your party (Obama in Burner's case, McCain in Reichert's)?

Burner: Disagrees with Senator Barack Obama about the bailout package. In her judgment the bailout package was not well crafted. It gave a blank check to the Bush administration and that was unacceptable.

Reichert: Wanted to give the same answer that Darcy give.

Next question: Is further expansion of expanding NATO eastward worth the cost (antagonizing Russia)?

Reichert: The offer should be laid on the table. We need to listen to what leaders in Russia and other powers are saying.

Burner: It's certainly good for the United States to have many friends. We need to open up a dialogue with Russia so we're working together more and butting heads less. We can't build walls around this country.

Next question is about immigration.

Burner: We need comprehensive immigration reform. We need greater enforcement. We need to crack down on corporations that are employing people who aren't here legally. We need a pathway to citizenship.

Reichert: Republicans have been waiting for the Democratic leadership to come up with an immigration bill and they haven't. The system is broken and it needs to be fixed.

Next question is about our healthcare system. Does it need to be reformed?

Reichert: Obviously, yes. Expressed hope that we could come together to improve healthcare access.

Burner: Every American should have access to quality medical care. People are sick of being nickel-and-dimed to death. There are too many people who aren't getting the care they need because it is too expensive for even those who have insurance. We need to invest in preventative care and force the insurance companies to pay for preventative care.

What should Congress do if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

Burner: Government has no right to make personal decisions about people's health. The idea that there are politicians who want to dictate what people do with their bodies is absurd. Would support codifying Roe v. Wade into law.

Reichert: Says he thinks everyone in the room knows where he stands. Long pause..."My religious belief is that life begins at conception...Congress has no say in Roe v. Wade."

Did he just say that?

Next question - Do you believe the climate crisis is a fact and caused by humans?

Reichert: Talked about his high scores from some environmental groups - "some of my Democrat friends." It's Democratic, genius.

Burner: The science is unambiguous. We have to address the climate crisis. This is an opportunity to fix our energy policies. We have here in WA-08 companies that are investing in renewable energy. We need to stop sending people to Congress who take money from big oil companies (like Dave Reichert).

We're now moving into the audience question period.

First audience question is from Toby Nixon, about D.C. vs. Heller. Do you agree with that decision?

Reichert: Yes. One word answer.

Burner: Agreed.

Next audience question is a follow-up on the global financial crisis.

Burner: We can't allow big American companies to cook the books and break the law. Deregulating is counterproductive. Noted that Reichert published an op-ed last summer in the Puget Sound Business Journal saying that regulation and government is the problem.

Next audience question is what are the consequences of an immediate withdrawal from Iraq? Wouldn't there be a "bloodbath" if we just packed up and left?

Burner: Cares about responsibly exiting Iraq, which is why she created the Responsible Plan to end the occupation of Iraq with General Eaton. The path in that plan is what we need to follow.

Reichert: "The truth is...this is an Irresponsible Plan." We need a transition team in place, we can't just leave. "General Petraeus is right."

Next audience question is about education.

Reichert: Every child in America deserves an education. We need to focus on science, technology, engineering, and math education. We need to create a path for people who want to go to trade school.

Burner: We must provide the best education we can to everyone. That isn't happening right now. Good teachers need to be rewarded and bad teachers fired. We can't have the federal government imposing mandates on teachers to teach to a test. No Child Left Behind needs to be replaced with something better.

Next question is about Medicaid and Medicare. Doesn't the bailout undermine the federal government's ability to provide those services?

Burner: If we're going to bail out Wall Street then taxpayers need to be paid back. It can't just be a giveaway to big corporations.

Reichert: Continued to talk about education (the last question). Touted his endorsement from the Washington Education Association. Attacked Nancy Pelosi for voting for the bailout. "I took two no votes to protect that $700 billion," he said.

Final audience question is from Karen Cooper of NARAL.

Do you believe that the federal government should continue funding abstinence-only education when we have ample proof that it does not work?

Reichert: Families have a responsibility to teach their kids about sex...yadda, yadda, yadda...

Burner: Abstinence only education does not work. Chided Reichert for not answering question. Kids deserve medically accurate information about the consequences of their action.

Closing Statements

Burner: Spoke emotionally about the lessons she learned from the fire that destroyed her home early this summer. We can get through this global financial crisis if we work together.

We can change, but we have to change who we send to Congress.

Reichert: "I came to this job in an unorthodox way...I still look at myself as Joe Blow from Kent, Washington." People should appreciate the heat he takes for voting against drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

And that's it!!