Republican Steve Pearce and Democrat Al Kissling both performed well in a candidate forum Tuesday afternoon in
The forum is the only one in which Pearce, the incumbent
Knowing this was likely his only shot to take on Pearce face-to-face, Kissling came out attacking.
“One of the problems we have is a lack of strategy and a lack of planning, shortsightedness and indifference (in Congress),” Kissling said in his opening remarks. “My opponent and the Republican Party have turned the American Dream into a nightmare.”
It was apparent that Kissling is a political novice. He began answering his first question from his seat instead of the podium, knocked over a television microphone on the podium at least twice, and stumbled over words a couple of times at the beginning, before he overcame what appeared to be nervousness. Overall, Kissling held his own with the veteran congressman, coming across as educated on the issues and unafraid.
Pearce also held his own, and responded amazingly well to inappropriate heckling from many Democrats who attended the event. Pearce is even-tempered, which at times makes him appear unsympathetic, but in front of a hostile crowd, he came across as mature.
Kissling supporters began arriving almost an hour before the 3 p.m. event. Though it’s hard to estimate, there were certainly more Democrats than Republicans in the crowd of about 200 who packed Good Samaritan Auditorium. Dozens more watched the event on television from another room in the building.
There was no fanfare when Pearce entered the auditorium. Kissling arrived a moment later to a standing ovation. Republicans in the room then responded with a less-enthusiastic cheer for Pearce, but the tone had been set.
After a couple of questions, the moderator had to ask that applause (which had been predominantly given to Kissling) be withheld so candidates would have more time to answer questions. The emotional group that attended to support Kissling responded to that muzzling by beginning to jeer Pearce and gasp at many of his answers. A few in the audience even made comments out loud in response to statements by Pearce.
Pearce didn’t respond and only once appeared to be fazed by the heckling. He remained calm and composed.
He spent much of his time telling stories about his family and defending his record in Congress.
“We have worked to renew and redesign government,” Pearce said. “We will continue to represent all people of the 2nd (Congressional) District.”
Kissling’s response to most questions was to attack Pearce, the Bush Administration and Congress.
With the exception of the heckling, the forum was predictable. This isn’t a race with two moderates – Pearce is a conservative Republican and Kissling is a liberal Democrat. Pearce defended his record in Congress and Kissling attacked it. The differences between the two candidates were obvious. Both were well-prepared and it showed.
Pearce ducked a question on global warming by talking instead about lessening our dependence on foreign oil, and neither candidate really answered a question about how to get more young people involved in the political process.
It’s unfortunate that Pearce would only agree to one mid-afternoon forum in a mid-size auditorium. KRWG is broadcasting the forum on the radio (90.7-FM in
Pearce said during the forum that he believes such events are essential to democracy. If he truly believes that, he should agree to more forums.
I’ll have more on what the candidates actually said and photos from the event later tonight.