US Senate Candidates Speak During 'Silent No More' Debate In Warsaw
US Senate Candidates Speak During 'Silent No More' Debate In Warsaw
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
US Senate Candidates Speak During 'Silent No More' Debate In WarsawFive U.S. Senate candidates spoke in Warsaw Saturday morning about why they are qualified to fill the seat that will be vacated by Evan Bayh.
The primary is May 4 and the general election is Nov. 2.
Senatorial candidates who spoke were former U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R-Fort Wayne), who previously served from 1989 to 1999; Don Bates Jr. (R-Kokomo); District 13 State Senator Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe); former Congressman John Hostettler, who served from 1995 to 2007 in the 8th district (R-Blairsville); and Richard Behney (R-Fishers).The candidates spoke during the two-hour candidate debate hosted by Kosciusko Silent No More.
The debate was at Center Lake Pavilion and was attended by 400 people, according to Monica Boyer, Kosciusko Silent No More co-founder. The debate also streamed live outside the pavilion for another 100 people, Boyer said.
Kosciusko County Silent No More is a grassroots organization that is designed for the purpose of standing for freedom and the Constitution.
The debate was covered by Fox News and aired on radio stations WIOE FM 98.3, Warsaw; WOWO AM 1190, Fort Wayne; and WGN-AM, 720, Chicago.
Dr. Mike Harstine served as moderator for the debate, asking questions of the candidates that were submitted by attendees and Silent No More members.
Candidates had the opportunity to provide a two-minute introduction, fielded 11 questions and provided closing remarks.
One of the questions candidates answered was what characteristics, attributes, philosophy or belief separated them from the other candidates.
Coats said the judgement and experience from making mistakes and learning from his mistakes has given him experience.
"My own beliefs, faith, family, and freedom have been the guiding lights of my life and the lights are shining as bright as ever as long as I have the breath to speak and stand up for those beliefs," Coats said.
Stutzman described himself as a farmer and said he knows how to deal with budgets.
"As a farmer I didn't have the opportunity to raise taxes to make additional revenue. I had to work harder or find ways to cut spending in my own business," Stutzman said.
Stutzman said in Washington there are too many career politicians who do not know how to cut spending.
Hostettler said in his record as congressman he has a history of not voting in favor of tax increases.
"My record reflects I have made difficult decisions in the past even if my name made headlines," Hostettler said.
Bates Jr. said he differs in that he wears a badge of honor that he is not a politician, and said some leaders with political experience have gotten the country into a mess.
"I'm a proud Republican and think we need to reach out to disenfranchised voters," Bates Jr. said.
Behney said it is not that he wants to just be senator, but that he is ticked off about the current administration.
"In this country I have worked hard and think if you can dream it you can get it done, but it won't always be easy," Behney said.
Another question asked was what solutions will the candidates make to assure Warsaw remains the orthopaedic capital of the world.
Coats said the U.S.'s Food and Drug Administration is a nightmare.
"The way you keep Warsaw as the orthopaedic capital of the world is to reform the Food and Drug Administration," Coats said.
Hostettler said taxes should not be placed on the orthopaedic industry.
"The reason why Washington, D.C., is looking to tax the industry is because the industry has grown as the result of a federal program," Hostettler said.
Stutzman said he thinks it would be a shame to tax and regulate the industry, and said the industry has thrived because of less regulation and low taxation.
Behney said the federal government needs to get off the back of Indiana's orthopaedic industry and allow the industry to take care of its business.
"With the health care bill patients will no longer have personalized relationships with our physicians," Behney said.
Bates Jr. said free market principals are the secret to success, and encouraged a larger pool of people to be under the same health insurance policy so insurance premiums decrease.
To learn more about Silent No More, visit www.kosciuskosilentnomore.com
