FARMINGTON HILLS, Michigan — John James, the Michigan Republican candidate for Senate and former Army Apache helicopter pilot in the Iraq War, says Wednesday night’s Democratic debate wasn’t the expected debate about socialism — it’s worse.
“This was a flight toward bankruptcy and anarchy,” he said of the offers for free stuff (Medicare for all) and no rules (open borders). “I don’t understand how a candidate for the president of this country could advocate for something so irresponsible for the purpose of standing out.”
The Republican businessman, who has raised over $1.5 million since he declared his candidacy last month, was watching the debate at his home with several of his campaign staff.
James is challenging incumbent Democrat Sen. Gary Peters, an investment adviser who served in the Navy Reserve. In 2018, James exceeded expectations but came up short in his race to unseat incumbent Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
James took issue when Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, whose campaign focuses on climate change, claimed Biden’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases was too half-hearted, too late, and not big enough to succeed.
“I believe that survival is realistic,” said Inslee. Biden bristled at the remark and insisted to the moderators his aim is to get the United States off of fossil fuels.
“Joe Biden just swore to destroy the economies of the industrial Midwest,” James said. “I’m from the Great Lakes state, we all want clean air and clean water. But we also want to keep our jobs, farms, and family businesses. To feed our families and have economical heating options for our homes in the dead of winter. We can’t just move or change our careers. The federal government needs to meet us where we are, not the other way around.”
