Cañon City – With only a month to go before the election, two candidates vying for the 5th Congressional District seat squared off in their first debate Thursday night, agreeing on almost nothing.
Republican Doug Lamborn and Democrat Jay Fawcett clashed on Iraq, social issues and how to balance the federal budget.
About 80 people – with Fawcett’s supporters outnumbering Lamborn’s – attended the forum sponsored by the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce.
Lamborn, who has served 12 years in the Colorado legislature, promised that if elected he would never raise taxes.
Fawcett said that if he is elected, he could make only one guarantee: He would listen to every constituent.
In the debate, Lamborn said he is anti-abortion; Fawcett said he backs abortion rights. Lam born thinks the nation should stay in Iraq; Fawcett thinks troops should withdraw to the borders, train Iraqi forces and use diplomacy to bring calm to the area.
About the only thing the two agreed upon is that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But Fawcett said he will support Referendum I, to provide legal rights to gay people.
When asked how the candidates would balance the budget when the war in Iraq has cost more than $300 billion, Lam born said: “I just think it is so critical, whatever the cost, that we fight the war on terror. They came and attacked us on 9/11, before we even dreamed of going to Iraq.”
Lamborn said Congress could save money on earmarks, and privatize Social Security for young workers.
Fawcett, an Air Force Academy graduate and retired lieutenant colonel, said “you don’t issue democracy to a country.”
“It doesn’t work,” he said. “It never has. … You don’t win a global war on terrorism by attacking every country where somebody is bad. … You deal with terrorism by tracking down the terrorists and killing them. ”
The candidates clashed again when a moderator asked what the candidates would do to support veterans. Lamborn said he supported veterans and promised to take care of them when they’re ill or injured.
Fawcett responded that Lamborn supports the president on all issues and that George W. Bush underfunded Veterans Affairs budgets.
Lamborn said he disagrees with presidential proposals such as portions of the No Child Left Behind act, agricultural subsidies and his position on amnesty for illegal immigrants.
As for illegal immigration, Lamborn said the nation needs to secure its borders and build a system in which employers can verify identifications and Social Security numbers.
Fawcett said that border security is the responsibility of the federal government.
When asked about water issues, Fawcett said the state needs a comprehensive plan to address the issue. Lamborn said the state needs to store more water.
At the contentious forum, a Fawcett supporter heckled Lamborn. “Excuse me, sir, why don’t you keep your mouth shut,” Lamborn said but quickly apologized.
What they said
Republican Doug Lamborn
“On illegal immigration, I’m against amnesty. … I think that sends a bad message to those who have waited in line.”
“Basically folks, I’m a Ronald Rea gan Republican. I believe in a strong national defense, smaller government and lower taxes, and I’ve been doing it for 12 years in the Colorado House and Senate. I’ve never supported a tax increase and I never will.”
“The NRA has given me an A rating; they have given my opponent a D rating.”
“We need to train the Iraqis to take over the country, have a stable democracy and then we can bring our young kids home.”
Democrat Jay Fawcett
“When this war is over – and it will end – we want to ensure that the Constitution that we cherish, that defines who we are, is still intact and in place, just as it has been after every other war.”
On Iraq: “I don’t want to be there for 50 years.”
“Water is the issue that we don’t like talking about in this state because it impacts on just about everything else we do.”
“I am in favor of a woman’s right to choose. Abortion should be rare, safe and legal. We tried making it illegal before”
