In their first televised debate, the three candidates for the U.S. Senate in Maryland got into a loud and contentious free-for-all, with Lt. Gov. Michael Steele repeatedly interrupting Rep. Ben Cardin and the usually vociferous Kevin Zeese, the Green-Libertarian-Populist nominee, having trouble getting a word in.
At times, all three men were talking at once on the set of News Channel 8 in Rosslyn, Va., with moderator Bruce DePuyt vainly trying to get them to talk one at a time. The three tried to stick with their usual scripts. Cardin presented himself as the accomplished legislator who wants to change the direction of the country, running against a Republican who?s vague on the issues.
Steele said, “It?s not just the issues, it?s about the man,” and said it was “laughable” Cardin could change Congress, where?s he?s served 10 terms. Steele admitted that Cardin is “a very good policymaker,” but said he was out of touch with the experience of average Marylanders.
Zeese said, “There is only one change candidate here. I?m the only one that?s not in bed with the special interests.”
Steele said that he took money from special interest political action committees because that?s the system incumbents like Cardin had set up for themselves.
Responding to a question about stem cell research, Zeese said it was one of the “phony divides” in the campaign and that federal funding may turn out to be “another corporate boondoggle.” Steele opposes research on embryos where the fertilized egg is destroyed, because “I respect the life that embryo is.” Cardin favors such research.
Cardin repeatedly tied Steele to President Bush, particularly on the Iraq war. Steele at one point told Cardin, “I applaud you for that vote” against going to war, even though he would have voted the other way. Steele said he supports creating benchmarks of success for eventual U.S. withdrawal. Zeese, who runs an anti-wargroup, favors getting out as “rapidly and responsibly” as possible. Cardin supports a prompt but gradual withdrawal.
Steele said Cardin “had no clue” about transit and traffic problems in the Washington area, and “didn?t have a clue” where the proposed Purple Line on the Washington Metro would run.
“You?re wrong,” Cardin interjected, and cited bills he?s sponsored on the transit funding.
Asked about Rush Limbaugh?s criticism of Michael J. Fox?s shaky performance in a Cardin commercial, Cardin called it “outrageous,” Zeese said it was “over the line.” Steele said, “it was a little bit over the line” and Fox “elevates the debate.”
Both Cardin and Zeese favor repeal of President Bush?s tax cuts; Steele said he believes they should be made permanent.
