| 7:00 It's a packed house with about 1 dozen hi def cameras surrounding.
Questions from the audience can be submitted until 7:10.
"One of these gentlemen will be a critical vote."
Eric Singer from KRDO is the moderator. We're waiting for the tv producers for the go.
The coin toss for who gets to start has already happened--Romanoff won. There will be 30 secs and 10 secs for the debate. Audience applause is strictly forböden so we can get as many questions in as possible.
***UTTERLY PARAPHRASING***
7:05 AR: Thanks to everyone... any politician can promise to clean up Washington.. I led the fight for the blue transformation in CO... ref C... "You promise to fight for the Public option and then lash out when your bluff is called... Congress is pay to play "I am not a perfect messenger but I am the only candidate that is not taking cash that corrupts it.
MB: I worked to fix companies, worked for Hick, leading reform of DPS, what we see playing out on our tv sets, is a rhetoric detached from the facts,voted for the strongest Wall st reform since the 1930s. All of us share an abiding concern for the next generation.
First Question: In what ways do you disagree with the policies of Obama and Reid
MB Just had a huge disagreement with the cut for Orion. We thought it was wrong (Udall and entire CO delegation).
AR: I support the president. We need the same courage Obama has in the Senate as well. Not a single Senator stood up to the Senator from NE. I will stand up.
MB: "I have no handlers"
2:What are the differences between the two of you
NOTE: Romanoff is very fiesty and attacking Bennet. Michael Bennet is very thin lipped.
Bennet: There are no differences between us. Anyone who is paying attention to this debate knows that. The discussion should be about fixing problems.
3: Some observers have described your campaign as erratic. Cadell, spokeslamb, press conference to remind us of your race
AR: The press conf from Jan came from the calls re governor's race. I've been recognized by 4 orgs as the best legislator in America.
4:This is your first campaign, and so far, your performance in caucus and assemblies has been lacking. You are petitioning on, given your lackluster (groans)
MB: I'm not worried about tough enough from being a school superintendent. We are happy with the outcome of the caucuses. Fundraising... 18,000 donors on the campaign, one of the smallest percentages of PAC money nationwide. At the end of the day, CO will see through this.
5: Do you support labeling about genetically mod food.
MB: I don't know much but consumer protections rule.
AR: Yes, I do. I believe we outta have truth in adverts esp from prods from overseas.
6: Do you support nuclear energy in the mix of other renewables:
AR: There is no sage way to dispose of waste.
MB: I support continued engineering about it, I remain unpersuaded about the econ viability about it. THere are a lot of fictions about what the French are doing but they're fictions. 18% of our energy is from nuclear power. We need a policy that relies on renewables
7: What do you consider comp immigration reform
MB: I<3 DREAM act, serious commitment ot secure borders, a lawful way to beocme citizens, pay a fine, learn English. I don't want our police focused on what AZ is focused on.
AR: Reform, sec our borders, clear rules for employers and employees, providing a path to citizenship,... the status quo is indefensible because Washinton is broken. I've been disappointed by the attacks which are painful because my mom and grandparents are all immigrants and our culture is better off because of the contribs from immigrants.
DADT and DOMA
AR: I support the repeal of both. this is not an issue on which to compromise. Our own party has ducked and dodged and bobbed and weaved.
MB: I support the repeal of both. Ditto Romanoff
8: How would you deal with the balance of payments-- the prob w China?
MB: China has clearly been manipulating its currency. We need to pressure them strongly.
AR: CO Springs alone has lost 14,000 in the last 2.5 yrs. I believe in competition. AMericans can win a fair fight. We shouldnt' foce American workers to compete against countries that don't honor human rights and labor right.
9: Internet security and Google's recent testimonty before the US Senate.
AR: I support net neutrality and security, I beleve corporate influence in this case has had a distorting effect on this issue ** grr... note hold on
MB: Mebbe this is regarding google's pull out of China? I also believe in net neutrality and I voted for the importation of prescription drugs.
AR: Drug cos
7:33
10:Vote on Pinion Canyon?
MB: I led the 1 yr moratorium on it. I'm not compelled by what the Army says about expansion. We need to recgnize the military is to our state and particularly this community. I have challenged the Army to understand that people think promises were broken.
AR: I don't support the expmasion. We don't say it often enough that so many folks are returning from combat.
11: Bernanke? Should he be there?
AR: It has taken 1.5 years to clean it up, folks who are guilty have been reqarded.
MB: I voted for him on teh banking cmmt and i voted for him on the floow. It would have been impossible to confrim anyone else for that job. We are weeks away from comprehensive reform of Wall Street.
13: Carbon Tax?
AR: This is where I differ from MB, you don't have to be a conspiracy throrist, just follow the money
MB: We need a cap. However it is designed, it needs to be designed well... CO is well-positioned to be a leader. You don't need to believe in climate change to know that we should build good jobs and rely less on foreign oil.
14: How do we wind down the war in Afganistan
MB: First, we are winding down the Iraq war which I didn't support to begin with. I think we shoudl give this time to work.
AR: I have faith in BO and the troops. I have no faith in Karzai. We need to restore our role in Dem and HR.
15: What deficit reduction action would you support?
AR: We are spending twice as much as the rest of the world are on HC which would be fine if the results were twice as good. We need to
MB: HC for the next 3 years will cut 1.3 bill. I worked on costs and transparency. We haven't invested in our infrastructure. Go to the website to read on this issue.
16: Tell us our background in practicing democracy
MB: I believe we've lost somethign in this country because we don't watch Walter Cronkite. All the tv news channels are sellign soap. I've traveled CO speaking with people. tkaing their criticisms, and said the same things everywhere. We need more involvement
AR: I'm proud of the work I did to make the Capitol transparent and accessible. e-Tools can help er something.
Question on role of the Fed I missed. SRY
7:53 17: Candidate Asking Candidate section
MB: We've herad that Jane Norton wants to eliminate teh dept of ed and Buck wants to get rid of Dept of Energy. Why would they those positions?
AR I've got the best ability to beat them. I've led the Dmeocrats to back to back majorities. One party in Washington is the Party of NO
AR: Proprietary colleges are gouging students with loand. The Senate Banking CMMTE could have
MB:the only time I'm reminded of Washington is when we are debating. We've just taken the ability of private lenders to loaning to our students.
They are each then given 60 seconds to ask for your support. I think you know the drill.
/end live blog.
They are both very good debaters. Thank you all for reading and listening and just plain participating, no matter how you do it.
I know I missed some great questions. Apologies for typos and if I wasn't succinct enough.
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