Spokane7
65°
October 19, 2010 in City
McMorris Rodgers, Romeyn spar over jobs, immigration
Democratic challenger Daryl Romeyn tried to paint Cathy McMorris Rodgers as a do-nothing incumbent who has no solutions for federal deficits, illegal immigration, high school dropouts or childhood obesity.
McMorris Rodgers suggested Romeyn was someone who didn’t understand complex forest issues and would tax small businesses out of existence and set off a trade war with China.
In their first – and likely only – televised debate, the three-term congresswoman and the former television reporter agreed on very little Tuesday except for the importance of the American dream and the need to secure the nation’s borders before addressing other problems with illegal immigration. Those few seconds of agreement on immigration were closed off with Romeyn’s suggestion that she should’ve done something about it already: “She’s been there six years.”
Asked how to cut unemployment and boost the region’s economy, Romeyn suggested programs to help timber and farm communities and manufacture airplane parts. McMorris Rodgers said it’s not government programs but government stability on taxes, regulations and health care costs that will get businesses hiring again.
“We need to calm the waters, first of all,” she said.
Both danced around the request for tough choices they’d make to cut the federal budget after saying it had to be balanced like a household budget. McMorris Rodgers said she’d roll back spending to pre-Obama, pre-stimulus levels of 2008.
“Grandiose statements but no details,” countered Romeyn, who said he’d cut “waste in government.”
“Get our economy growing,” McMorris Rodgers countered.
“Let’s get people back to work,” Romeyn replied.
Getting people in some Eastern Washington forests takes actions, not words or government programs, he added. “Get some folks out there with some chain saws and get to work.”
No, it takes discussions among the “warring factions” to open some areas to cutting, others to recreation and preserve others, McMorris Rodgers said, adding that’s what she’s been doing with U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat.
Romeyn said he favored pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan right away, and spending money planned for roads and irrigation projects there in the United States. McMorris Rodgers said she supported President Obama’s plan to increase troops, although she didn’t support a deadline to begin a reduction.
Because the military is fighting a war, McMorris Rodgers said we should wait on any possible changes to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for homosexuals in the armed services. Romeyn said the nation should listen to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and end it.
Asked about previous comments that the U.S. should impose tariffs on Chinese goods, Romeyn said he’d favor such charges on all energy-saving technology that could harm U.S. manufacturers of “green” products.
“I don’t think starting a trade war is the best way to get our economy going,” she replied.
Romeyn tried to knock McMorris Rodgers, who is part of the House GOP leadership, for voting Republican: “She votes 97 percent of the time with her party.”
McMorris Rodgers said she works with Democrats when the need arises, such as with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Fairchild Air Force Base issues, and contended Romeyn’s the one tied to his party: “My opponent’s supporting the policies of the last couple of years that have added to the deficit.”
Both decried negative advertising. McMorris Rodgers said she thought having debates on the issues was the best approach. Then why has she not appeared with him at a public event before that debate, countered Romeyn.
The debate almost didn’t occur. It was first cancelled because McMorris Rodgers couldn’t fit it into her schedule, then when she freed up time, Romeyn initially said he couldn’t. They didn’t agree to debate until Monday.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
duckinspokane on October 19 at 9:32 p.m.
I think anyone who watched the debate tonight would have to agree that Romeyn won this one. He was able to successfully show Cathy’s lack of legislative record and how out of touch she is with local issues. I particularly like the question directed to Cathy about, you publicaly opposed the stimulus bill, yet you are taking credit for bringing funds for the North/South freeway…Her first response after an awdward second of silence? “Yes.”
Dazzeetrader11 on October 19 at 9:57 p.m.
Nope…She’s been schooled by her years in Congress. I think Daryl looked like a rookie…not that it’s bad to be a rookie. I don’t know how Darly could possibly get the timber business back ontrack with all the green legislative rules. I don’t thin k the land should be abused by clear cutting. It seems that forestry simply stopped though.
Truth is, as I watched online, I got an uneasy feeling that neither knew the issues very well. She spouts the tradtional GOP line and he asked questions and made some charges. Not much else though. Disappointing. She should be more thoughtful and have some slants on the local issues …didn’t seem so though. Just kept saying the worn out GOP stuff.
Lots of issues this midterm…seemed like neither focused well enough. Her I can understand..she’s always been more “fluff” than substance. He needed a strong focused showing but didn’t put one forth. He’s new at this. I’d like to see more from him in time.
He’s no jewel though. He might be a good candiate with experience. But, Daisy will say this: he has the best tan I’ve seen for mid October in Spokane.:) She doesn’t. I always asked a fundamental question…would we even” notice if she was gone?” I don’t think so. OR would “he add anything?” Can’t say he would. BUT he has a future…unfortunately I don’t think she does unless she hides in the trees of the GOP.
Aaaaaaaaaaack…cannot these parties find some “star”?
PlanB on October 19 at 10:13 p.m.
Both made mistakes but Romeyn made points by pointing out a lot of the inconsistencies in McMorris-Rodgers record, and most importantly that she has no measurable accomplishments in her six years in office. I’m amazed at how little she seemed to know.
David_1 on October 19 at 10:38 p.m.
Daryl, I’m so sorry you chose to embarrass yourself so badly tonight. You clearly demonstrated that you are way way way way way in over your head.
You are seriously outclassed by someone who is so incredibly more knowledgeable of the issues facing our District, State and Nation. Not only does McMorris Rodgers demonstrate her vast knowledge, but she clearly exhibits a very deep passion for the people she represents.
Most impressive tonight was the charisma and style in which Cathy articulated the facts. At the same time, your only approach to the debate was to attack attack attack Cathy while offering nothing of value aside from a few very stale, worn out talking points. Do you seriously believe that you can be effective in Congress with that as your style???
Sorry I have to be the one to break this to you, but its back to the farm and donkeys for you Daryl. Not that that’s a bad thing. We need that. It’s just that we need Cathy McMorris Rodgers to be our Congresswoman.
zelda on October 19 at 10:39 p.m.
I am amazed she can even talk. All I’ve seen is her blinking in the bright lights behind John Beohner’s lecturn. She’s in office because this district would elect a Studebaker as U.S. representative solely on the basis of it having an “Impeach Earl Warren” sticker on the bumper.
duckinspokane on October 19 at 10:44 p.m.
David…if by “attack” you mean pointing out to people that she hasn’t authored a single bill that has been enacted into law, then I suppose so. Or, listing off her voting record on recent bills that people in the district might care about, ie small business loans & investment, and campaign finance disclosures, etc. What I appreciated from Romeyn was that he had real answers and solutions to help jump start our economy. Cathy’s answers were just GOP talking points, such as we just need to lower taxes on businesses, yadda yadda yadda.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 19 at 10:54 p.m.
Plan B…she’s staying hidden in the GOP trees. They give her cover. By now she should be this amazing dynamic woman in charge of the facts. Doesn’t seem so. She’s not better in person either. Seems airheadedish for a woman in such a position.
What’s concerning is that her seniority is growing. With that comes more power….power she won’t know what to do with. What’s more concerning is this: what must the GOP or Dem leadership be thinking as to how bright E Wa is by sending this lady back to DC to participate as some level. I like her personally but E Wa must…and I mean MUST have something better to offer as a representative. Darly used a shotgun approach with his time. He hit on a few things but none convincing enough to get him a job in Congress. But…what a tan!!!
spokanecommunistparty on October 19 at 10:58 p.m.
Hmmm… which transnational corporation funded candidate should we all vote for??? I already voted for Daryl Romeyn. Thanks for the recap Spokesman, I forgot to plug in my dusty old TV back in at the right time and I missed it.
zelda on October 19 at 11:05 p.m.
The best she can do (and the S-R in its endorsement) is point to the fact that Fairchild AFB is still kinda/sorta here because she’s in office. Fairchild’s been shrinking for years and now it’s going to Moses Lake for a while and it’s almost unnoticed in the media.
This feels like extortion with a BB gun at our civic head — “Re-elect Cathy or Fairchild AFB will get even teenier.”
Shadedmuse on October 19 at 11:17 p.m.
Fairchild got downsized after voters showed Foley the door, so Foley was the guy that kept fairchild a big base.
if those people say vote out all incumbants, then Cathy should be the first and only one to go.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 20 at 12:04 a.m.
Clinton reduced the size of Farchild. That and 27 other bases.
Many were sold outright. Nethercutt saved Farchild by allowing downsizing. Cathy inherited the base as it is today. Right now, the runways are being repaved and lengthened…so this is why Moses Lake is being used. Japan Airlines bought 3 bases for training and housing. Moses Lake was bought from Boeing partly. Being had used it to train the pilots of the 747’s and some other planes. R’s saved Farchild from the Clinton cutbacks.
spokanecougar on October 20 at 1:09 a.m.
Clearly Romeyn won that debate. I love how he attacked her total lack of record while in office and how she has not written any bills that were passed into law and pointed out repeatedly how she has voted - or lack of votes - that clearly helps large corporations and the rich, but hurt small business and the middle class.
Also love how she clearly realized she was screwed on the stimulus funding by voting for it, but then taking credit for getting money for the North-South Freeway. Opps. By, the way, love how Fox News wont report this, and wish Romeyn brought this up, but the stimulus bill has pretty much paid for itself as the non-partisan CBO recently said, so it has actually added nothing to the national debt like McMorris-Rogers was claiming, where as all her past votes and stances on taxes and war will do.
McMorris-Rogers did not offer any ideas on how she will improve employment, did not offer any ideas on how she will trim the budget - she only said she would INCREASE the national debt by continuing the tax cuts for the countries richest 2%. She also couldn’t cite any examples of what she has done while in office and or give examples on how she has actually helped people in her district. She looked like a lost little puppy that was trained to spew the typical GOP talking points.
Congratulations Mr. Romeyn you did a great job in the debate and put most of my fears I had about you to rest and I cannot wait to vote for you.
menemc on October 20 at 1:35 a.m.
Daisy—Daryl’s “tan” is most likely due to the fact that he is OUT in our district and his own farm WORKING for the voters!
Dazzeetrader11 on October 20 at 2:00 a.m.
Cougar how do you get things so screwed up and backwards…Cathy voted NO on the Stimulus and NO on TARP.
sheeeeeeesh!
http://www.issues2000.org/House/Cathy_McMorris-Rodgers_Budget_+_Economy.htm
Citizen on October 20 at 2:08 a.m.
This was a clear win for Daryl Romeyn. Cathy does not seem to have an original idea in her head. All we heard from her were the GOP bumper slogans with no specifics for implementation.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 20 at 2:26 a.m.
This debate merits another look. Video anyone? I didn’t think either looked lucid. I expected more from her. I expected less from him. Neither won much. She’s wayyy far ahead. But man oh man…E Wa deserves better than either of these two.
Money doesn’t even matter on this one. Dems run a good and supported candidate next time…Cathy will be hard pressed to win …at least like this year.
Peaches624 on October 20 at 3:12 a.m.
I thought that Cathy looked like a ‘deer in the headlights’ most of the time. She is a nice lady, she is going to have a baby but good grief … she really isn’t cut out for politics. For the time she has been in office her record speaks for it’s self. She has zelch influence, she accomplishes nothing for us in E WA. My vote will be for Daryl
spokanecougar on October 20 at 10:32 a.m.
Daisy, I obviously mistyped. I know she did not vote for the stimulus bill….but she had no trouble taking credit for getting money from it for the North-South Freeway.
8john on October 20 at 3:03 p.m.
McMorris has funded false wars that are impossible to end as there are no real enemies. She has supported the enslavement of the majority of citizens to benefit the rich and powerful.
She has voted to decimate our educational and financial systems, require racial profiling and preferences, and provide free services to illegals.
McMorris works to destroy the vision upon which our country was founded and supports a government that blatantly violates our country’s laws.
She has done, and is clearly committed to do in the future, great damage to our rights and freedoms.
Her ability to avoid a straight answer to a straight question is excellent.
Daryl may, or may not, continue to support wars, that kill our loved ones when none of us are in harms way, with money we do not have rather than to fund Social Security, he may continue to support the Department of Education’s Race to the Top with money that could be better used in the classroom and he may continue to support the dysfunctional regulations the government has placed on educators.
With McMorris we know what we will get - a continued decline into an all powerful government with bankers pulling the strings. With Daryl we have hope that he might change the direction in which our nation is going.