NEWS
Hopefuls square off at UW debate
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by Ryan Masse
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said no apologies are needed for her pursuit of a universal health-care system during a debate Monday in the Memorial Union, but Republican Congressional hopeful Dave Magnum questioned whether Baldwin has parlayed her emphasis on the subject into any real accomplishments.
The two candidates for Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District clashed over health care and a number of other issues before a partisan student crowd in the Memorial Union during the nearly two-hour-long debate.
While complimenting Baldwin’s ambitions on the matter, Magnum accused the Congresswoman of letting her single-minded focus on universal coverage blind her to the realities of the health-care situation in America. Magnum said he would support tax credits aimed at small businesses, implement Health Savings Accounts and fight for medical liability reform.
Magnum, owner of a broadcasting company operating eight radio stations throughout Wisconsin, portrayed himself as a moderate pragmatist, sometimes disagreeing aloud with policies pushed by President Bush. Magnum said he believed gay marriage should be an issue left to states to decide, in contrast with Bush’s position promoting a federal amendment banning same-sex marriage.
On the issue of Iraq, Baldwin blasted the Bush administration for not being honest with the American people and said efforts aimed at training Iraqi security forces should be accelerated. Magnum stuck to saying he supports U.S. troops.
The candidates offered different answers to a question concerning social security. Magnum proposed letting citizens voluntarily invest in a privatized account, while Baldwin said restoring the ‘pay-as-you-go’ budget philosophy of the 1990s would alleviate the pressures on the social-security system.
The two candidates also quarreled over the issue of federal appropriations to Wisconsin, which ranks near the bottom of the 50 states in such funding. Baldwin said federal funds earmarked to the 2nd District have increased sharply since she replaced former Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Klug in the House.
But Magnum shot back Baldwin has accepted recognition for the accomplishments of other House members, suggesting she should take credit for the Badger football team’s 8-0 start as well.
Perhaps the oddest confrontation of the night emerged over the Sun Prairie Star’s recent endorsement of Magnum. Magnum touted the endorsement for its allegation that Baldwin has failed to achieve much in her six-year tenure in Congress.
“I am shocked, just shocked, that a partisan editorial would say something unkind to me,” Baldwin responded sarcastically to the conservative Dane County newspaper’s endorsement.
Throughout the night, the left-leaning crowd hissed and chided Magnum after a variety of answers. One of the minority Magnum supporters, University of Wisconsin freshman Kimberly Zupkus, felt the Democrats’ behavior was inappropriate.
“I thought that was very disrespectful — the Republicans here were quiet and respectful of Tammy Baldwin. It was uncalled for,” Zupkus said.
UW College Democrats Chair Liz Sanger believed the rowdiness was just the nature of a student-dominated crowd, although she herself did not participate in the booing.
“It’s something we’ve seen on both sides throughout these debates,” Sanger said, adding students are more unabashed in their criticism and praise.
Anonymous (October 26, 2004 @ 8:33am):
Even if I were a Republican I would not vote for Magnum because I'm sick of how often he uses his dead wife to garner symapthy. What a jerk! I'm also not impressed by his "golly gee! I never even ran for student council but somehow I'm going to take Washington by storm" attitude. Is this really the best person the Republicans had???
Anonymous (October 26, 2004 @ 10:49am):
"he uses his dead wife to garner sympathy"
No, I think YOU are the jerk...what an insensitive comment. Dave and his family went through a tragedy, one that has made him the person that he is and has helped understand health care issues better than Tammy Baldwin ever will.
Anonymous (October 26, 2004 @ 11:07am):
-No, you're a jerk.
--No, you're a jerk.
- No, you're a jerk.
-- No, you're a jerk.
Great discussion you two have going here.
Anonymous (October 26, 2004 @ 12:15pm):
You can play a drinking game anytime Magnum speaks. Take a drink every time he mentions his dead wife and you'll be quite drunk.
It is laughable how Magnum purposely insinuates her death into any answer he gives regarding health care (and other topics). He doesn't HAVE to mention her but he does every chance he gets. I wonder why that is! Shouldn't something like that be kept a little more private?
