U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., didn’t attend Wednesday’s League of Women Voters forum in
When the forum moderator announced that Pearce “was unable to attend,” many in the audience laughed.
“Ha! Unable?” one man yelled out.
Though he took part in one forum with Kissling in August, Pearce has ducked the opportunity to participate in many forums and debates with Kissling in favor of photo opportunities and other events.
Kissling said that is a shame.
“I think it’s important that the issues be discussed openly with the public, and I think it’s unfortunate that my opponent doesn’t feel the same,” he said.
Kissling attacked the war in Iraq and No Child Left Behind during his remarks, and used familiar phrases about his belief that the Republican Congress has “turned the American dream into a nightmare” with a practice of “borrow and binge.”
Kissling was asked how the nation can obtain energy independence without destroying wilderness areas.
“Simple answer – God only knows,” Kissling said. “More germane answer – put more resources into developing new technologies.”
He was also asked about immigration and border security. Kissling said he opposes building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and putting troops there, because he said they get in the way of those trained to do the job. It would be better to increase funding for the Border Patrol, he said.
In addition, Kissling said, it’s more important to focus on groups that draw immigrants here illegally than on the immigrants themselves.
“We have to police the corporate interests that are drawing these workers over here,” Kissling said.
Kissling was asked about practices used in the war on terrorism that some consider to be torture, and also about stem-cell research. He said he finds it ironic that those who claim to oppose stem-cell research because they support life would also resort to torture.
“I find it very irresponsible,” he said.
Kissling said he supports stem-cell research.
I’ll have more on the other candidates who attended the forum later today.