East Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The battle for the 23rd Congressional seat reached a high point Thursday night on NewsChannel 9. Ever since John McHugh was appointed Secretary of the Army, the three candidates and their national supporters have been going at it. NewsChannel 9 anchor Dan Cummings moderated the hour-long discussion between the Democrat Bill Owens, Republican Dede Scozzafava, and Conservative Douglas Hoffman. The special election in the 23rd Congressional District has drawn national attention and produced a flood of TV attack ads, funded largely by political action committees and special interest groups. Until Thursday’s debate, all three candidates had failed to appear together for a single debate. At NewsChannel 9 Thursday afternoon, the candidates finally sat down for an hour and answered questions. For many, if not most voters, the candidates in this election have been defined, for better or for worse, by an overwhelming number of mostly negative TV ads that have aired virtually everywhere over the past month. In their one and only debate, the candidates were given the chance to clear the air and explain directly why they're in the race. Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman said, “I'm in this race because it’s principle over party. I’m in this race because I’m giving the voters of the 23rd district an option between two liberal candidates, and a conservative Ronald Reagan Republican -- a common sense Conservative. And basically, if I wasn’t in this race, voters wouldn’t have much of a choice." Democrat Bill Owens said, “I'm going to do things in the best interest of this district, and I’m going to do things that help to create jobs, to help to solve the farm crisis, work to maintain and strengthen Fort Drum, and I want to move healthcare forward, because I think that is in the best interest for the majority of this district.” Republican Dede Scozzafava replied, “What it all comes down to, the most important people in this race are the voters, and in the end, they won’t be misled by all the special interest money from outside of the area, and they will make a decision on who knows the issues best, and who can best represent them in Washington.” Scozzafava, Owens and Hoffman all insisted that despite the enormous amount of money and endorsements from outside the district that have come into this race, they would maintain their own, independent voice as the representative of the 23rd district.
Why did the debate take so long?
It was the first time all three candidates for the 23rd Congressional District seat met to debate the issues, five days before voters in the district were set to vote for the person to replace John McHugh.
The lack of debates was the first question asked Thursday afternoon, and both Owens and Hoffman blamed their grueling schedules. Scozzafava noted she is the only candidate who has taken part in every scheduled debate.
The delay in getting the three of them together begs the question: Have voters have had enough exposure to the candidates to really have a clear idea of where they stand on issues that matter most to the people of the 23rd district?
We asked the candidates whether they were at all concerned people would instead base their votes on negative ads that have blanketed the airways and they said no.
Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate, said, “Certainly they're going to pay attention to what they've seen on the debate and what they may have seen yesterday in yesterday's debate. We're out there, as I said, traveling the district every day, getting out, meeting people, talking to them, listening to them and getting our message out.”
Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava said, “I'm feeling very confident going into next week. I think, regardless of the money that has been spent with outside interests and the negative attacks and the distortion of my record I think we're going to do just fine next Tuesday.”
The conservative candidate, Doug Hoffman, said, “I have a great opportunity to win this race. I'm fighting like I'm the underdog. And I'll fight until Election Day. And I hope the conservative voters of the 23rd district will back me as their congressman.”
Special interest groups buying candidates?
All three candidates addressed how they could serve the people of the 23rd District fairly, considering the amount of money invested in the campaign by outside groups. Scozzafava says she has received the least amount of outside money. “I’ve always been an independent voice,” Scozzafava said. The Republican says she is fine representing the issues of the 23rd Congressional District.
The Conservative candidate, Hoffman, used the time to attack the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens. "I for one will not be beholden to anyone when I get to Washington, unlike my Democrat candidate, who has been heavily funded by the Democrats."
Owens responded to the question, saying he would vote in the interest of the best interest of the district. "I will not be swayed by any group that has supported me."
Troops in Afghanistan? What should be done?
The candidates had varying opinions. Owens, the Democrat, said President Obama needs to base his decision on information he’s receiving about the safety of the troops on the ground, and the potential national security threat.
Scozzafava, the Republican candidate, said Obama should consult with generals, and quickly make a decision. The Conservative candidate, Hoffman, said the country should “be there to win, not just be there.”
The Democratic healthcare plan
The three candidates were asked about their opinion of the Democratic healthcare plan, and whether they would vote for the current plan that calls for a public option.
“Now is not the time for a new mandate,” said Scozzafava, who responded to the question first. She says the new legislation does not address some of the true healthcare problems, and wants to see reforms in other areas.
Hoffman shared his opposition for the legislation. “We can’t be spending money we don’t have.”
The Democratic candidate, Bill Owens, said the legislation is a move in the right direction, and would have a positive impact on the residents of the 23rd Congressional District.
Stimulus effect on the North Country
The three candidates running for Congress had different thoughts about the impact the economic stimulus bill was having on residents of the district. Owens was pleased, and added he was now concentrating on moving the district forward with job creation, including finding ways to add green jobs.
Scozzafava said the bill was the perfect opportunity to fund infrastructure and one-time expenditures. She noted that much of the North Country has no access to rural broadband, and has several pieces of aging infrastructure, such as bridges, that need rebuilding.
Hoffman had strong words against the bill. “The stimulus bill, as it was passed, should not have been passed.” He said it was not doing what it should in terms of jump-starting the economy. Hoffman said he would work to have it readdressed and directed toward letting small businesses grow.
Balancing security with free travel across the border
The security of the border remains a significant issue for many who live in the 23rd Congressional District. The entire district covers the state’s northern border with Canada, and folks routinely cross the border, in some cases on a daily basis.
Since 9/11, several additional security measures have been put in place, including a mandate that anyone crossing from Canada into the United States show a passport.
The Democratic candidate, Owens, said ongoing discussions with homeland security are resulting in a good balance between movement of people and goods and security.
Scozzafava said, “We have to do more to make sure any homeland security measures are reasonable.” The Republican added that “there was no question border security is important, but our neighbors to the north are our friends.”
Hoffman used the time to commend the border personnel for the work they have done since 9/11. He says he is disappointed in the passport system and how it has impacted the economy of the district. “If one item can be addressed in Congress, it should be addressed. It’s hurting the tourism industry.”
NewsChannel 9 will rebroadcast the debate on Sunday, November 1st at 7pm. North Country viewers will be able to watch on our sister station, WWTI ABC 50. And of course, the entire debate will be posted on 9wsyr.com.
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