Seven Weeks Before Election, Minnesota's U.S. Senate Candidates Debate in Duluth
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 4:06pm
By:
Dana Thayer
Photojournalist:
Harry Baker
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
DULUTH - During the forum at the Duluth Playhouse Tuesday Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) explained how she has been able to achieve results during her past six years in Congress, while Rep. Kurt Bills (R) said he would bring a needed change to the way it operates.
One of the major topics at the forum was a way to cut down the nation's deficit.
Rep. Bills questioned the need for a debt commission.
"We don't need a debt commission," Rep. Bills said. "No more commission, we already have a debt commission, it's called Congress."
"I don't think that debt commission is just something silly that's a piece of paper that's sitting on the wall," Sen. Klobuchar said. "It is actually something that people are looking at for guidance."
Comments got passionate when it came to talks about how to strike compromise in a time of gridlock in Congress.
"I think we need people who can get real results, who work in the middle, who are willing to get things done," Sen. Klobuchar said. "Nearly two–thirds of the bills that I have led have been with Republican co–sponsors."
"We should do more than just poll and find that mentioning bi–partisan 15 times in a debate, that's the way forward," Rep. Bills said.
"This great compromise will come forward and even though I am a staunch conservative when it comes time to vote to put this country forward, I'll make that vote," Rep. Bills said. "I'll make it not for my party but for all the kids that I've taught."
"Courage in the next few years is not going to be standing alone in the middle of a great debate giving a speech by yourself," Sen. Klobuchar said. "Courage is whether you're willing to stand next to someone you don't always agree with for the betterment of this country."
When it came to the regulation process for mines to get up and running, both agreed a faster process is needed.
"We want to make sure that permitting process is in place so we keep our safety rules there but we want to make sure it moves as swiftly as possible," Sen. Klobuchar said.
Rep. Bills talked about following Canada's lead by using a "one project, one review" process that he said makes the most sense.
"We have to have a better vision, we have to have a better vision for mineral extraction, we have to have a better vision for our environment," Rep. Bills said.
A decision between which one of the candidates will prevail in the race will be made when Minnesotans head to the polls on Nov. 6.