Candidates on best behavior at last debate
Syracuse Post-Standard
Mike McAndrew
October 31st, 2008
Three seeking 25th Congressional District seat stick to the issues.
The 25th Congressional District campaign has become testier in the past week, but Thursday night in their final televised debate the three candidates barely threw a jab.
Five days before Election Day, Democrat Dan Maffei, Republican Dale Sweetland, and Green Populist Howie Hawkins stuck like glue to the issues during an hourlong event broadcast live by WSYR-TV.
"They kept the gloves on," said Dan Cummings, the WSYR-TV anchor who questioned the candidates.
Sweetland had accused Maffei of a laundry list of ethically questionable tactics Wednesday, but as they sat near each other, he barely acknowledged Maffei's presence.
Maffei and Hawkins were also on their best behavior.
Here's what they had to say:
Should Congress give New York state billions in bailout aid as Gov. David Paterson requested?
Maffei and Hawkins answered yes. Sweetland said New York needs to get its own house in order.
Should Congress provide every American with health insurance?
Sweetland said no. Hawkins said yes. Maffei said he supports a Medicare option for everyone, but would allow workers to keep employer-provided health coverage.
Should a fourth nuclear power plant be built in Oswego?
Sweetland said yes. Hawkins said no. Maffei said he's undecided.
Should the Patriot Act be repealed?
Hawkins said it should be because the government used it to crack down on dissenters and innocent Arab-American families. Maffei and Sweetland said it should be changed.
What should the United States do about Iran?
Maffei and Sweetland said the United States cannot allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, with Sweetland adding that drastic military spending cuts would undermine America's ability to prevent that. Hawkins said America should offer Iran energy technology transfers to persuade it to end its nuclear program.
How should the United States bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians?
Hawkins said it should support a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. Sweetland and Maffei said America should encourage peace talks.
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