The Democratic candidates for 7th Congressional District spent more time bashing the Bush administration at a forum on energy policy Monday night than drawing distinctions between one another.
Former state Rep. Peggy Lamm, former state Sen. Ed Perlmutter and businessman Herb Rubenstein are vying for the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 8 primary. But in Monday’s debate the candidates seemed like they already were running against a Republican opponent instead of one another.
All said they supported raising fuel-efficiency standards, promoting renewable energy and cutting tax breaks for wealthy oil companies.
Several times one candidate or the other said they agreed with the rest of the panel or said their opponents were on the right track. None of the candidates, however, agreed with what was happening in Washington.
“This nation is run by oil and gas men,” Rubenstein said.
Lamm agreed, saying it is a time for a change in Washington.
“We are shocked that this administration has not been leading us?” Lamm asked. “We have not held them accountable.”
A few minutes later, Perlmutter said it has taken President Bush far too long to get behind renewable energy.
“It took him five years to figure out a no-brainer,” he said. “We need to focus on the future right now.”
When asked by audience members what they felt fuel-efficiency standards Congress should adopt, Lamm said 31 miles per gallon, Perlmutter said 32 to 33 and Rubenstein said 34. The current standard is about 24 mpg.
It was a surprise that there were no clashes between the candidates since energy has already been a contentious issue in the primary race.
Lamm has criticized Perlmutter for his ties to the gas and oil industry, including having an energy lobbyist invite industry people to his fundraiser. Perlmutter has countered that since Lamm derives some of her income from gas and oil investments, it is hypo critical for her to make an issue of his energy connections.
Rubenstein made a veiled reference to the controversy.
“I will never take any money from oil and gas companies,” he said.
Perlmutter also made an indirect reference to another issue in the race: the fact that both of his opponents are newcomers to the district.
“I have lived my whole life in Jefferson County, and I have represented the district with everything I could muster,” he said.
Lamm made several references to the war in Iraq, saying that United States soldiers would not be dying if the country had no oil reserves.
“This energy policy becomes very clear when you have your flesh and blood over in foreign lands fighting,” she said.
The forum, held in an Arvada bar, was sponsored by Look Forward, a group organizing to elect Democrats. “We thought it would be a good topic to ask candidates how does U.S. achieve energy independence,” said Jake Williams, one of the organizers.
The winner of the primary will face Republican Rick O’Donnell in the November general election.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-820-1626 or akane@denverpost.com.
