investment fields and data container company. before the. bobby schilling is married with attention. -- 10 children. spent visiting run on public television. i expect full coverage in the dispatch rock island newspaper plus right now you can follow along on twitter at hashtag 17 debate. each candidate's campaign staff agree to some ground rules to tonight's discussion of issues but the topic of our questions and most of the questions themselves come from our news aid viewers, the readers of the paper. each candidate will get a minute to answer the question with the opponent in getting one minute to give their views. after that i can ask a follow-up question to clarify an issue. each candidate would get a 90-second opportunity for closing state at the end of tonight's program. moments ago we had a point tossed to the website if they want the first question or the

final closing remark. the winner is bobby schilling. mr. schilling but to have the last closing statement. cheri bustos has the first question tonight. robert shaw and had no just announced they're moving their jobs to mexico. this is devastating to the town and is also the county. what we do to keep jobs and use more specifically in northwest illinois? bustos: from day one since the election since i began to serve jobs and economy have been my number one priority. i'm proud of the fact we have had success in bringing jobs to this area. after more than one decade of waiting we've been able to open the thompson present where 300 jobs on the way, another 800 next year. this is after a decade of waiting when previous folks serving in this role couldn't get that done. what you're talking about as far as these jobs being shipped over to mexico have been devastating.

it's a reflection of bad policy. my opponent supports tax breaks for corporations that send jobs overseas. devastate not only can overcome devastating to knox county when the maytag job, 2000 were sent over to mexico. the plant in freeport illinois. i will work every day to make sure i'm looking after the middle-class. >> moderator: lobby schilling to your response? schilling: take a look at what is the cause as to why people and leave the training of america and it's because of the overtaxation, the overregulation of the epa, osha, so and so forth. the thing i find interesting is given opportunity and i was in congress to rein in the epa to give responsible regulations to good american companies so we didn't ship them overseas. ..

>> >> i have met these people. i've met people that worked there 30 or 40 years. of goldman who had to scrape the tape off the floor after she trained the chinese

replacements or taking her job to get the plant ready foreclosure. and my opponent has supported the policies on this. >>moderator: the second question gets to the heart of the campaign, your opponents and the supporters your accuser breaking a promise to return to a percentage prices but -- severe wages so mr. shilling we would you to give you a chance to direct these issues. schilling: when i made promises in 2010 i kept every single one of my promises whether to reject the congressional pension or the congressional health care. we were the first after the korean war that spend less money and cutting out of the budget which was the right thing to do. the fact is she actually

voted for $6 billion cuts of the veterans that is a yes or a no but our ads are all factual based on fact were you campaign to everyone to say this candidate will ship jobs overseas. bustos: there really is the change how we campaign. i feel for the people who have to watch these commercials time after time in fact, my husband refuses to watch anymore and then will watch "gilligan's island". they're is a group called fact check.org and have

called my opponents as a shameful. nothing democratic republican but fair messaging to voters. they called them shameful and misleading i am proud of the fact to spread the word that is the focus in this campaign with the job and the economy. >>moderator: either you have exactly you answer the question i will give you 30 seconds. mr. schilling you are accused of turning your back on the union workers would you say to that? schilling: not was that the farm bureau reading i went in to get the award some that were not even from the district came in and took over a meeting but at no point did i ever heard my back. we actually have the full

video out there i try to have several meetings with these people and even wrote a letter to the president of the company these decisions were made in 2010 before i was elected to office. >>moderator: 10 percent giving back of their wages? bustos: i did make a mistake before the editorial board and i have acknowledged that. but using that same policy is a collective 10 percent pay cut for congress. in addition to that i support no budget no pay. congress number one job is to pass the budget with no budget no pay act but if you don't ask you don't get paid repast of bipartisan budget for the first time. >>moderator: moving to another area.

we will ended their if you don't mind. now we will go to ms. bustos with the ebola virus we're talking about we have repeatedly been warned about the dangers of that ebola virus and also about the infection. now screening is at the airports including o'hare. three positive the government can create -- contain the spread of the virus or with that vial the civil liberties in the process? bustos: it is a health threat that is frightening to lot of people. i spent time today talking to people are you worried about this? we have moms with little kids here in the quad cities that are worried. we have to respond with a sense of urgency. we are part of the who for by worked in health care my

previous tenures were in health care before iran for congress. i know about isolation units and how the cdc's alert hospitals about that. but we need to look very seriously with the proper measures before it this spreads further. >>moderator: mr. schilling i you confident the cdc is doing what they can't and are you worried about civil liberties? schilling: they're doing what they can adjust three weeks ago the administration said this will never make it to the united states. this is a major threat to this country we cannot afford to minimize its. and we need to make darn sure we have everything possible. and for one thing we have to proceed with caution that

we're taking the right steps and we're finally duetting -- during a. it is the good thing that is the number one job. bustos: the level of threat from ebola is to look at these viruses. but to keep it isolated and out of the country. i don't think this is one of the areas we don't need any finger-pointing or politics but to come together for those who are in the health field come together to stop the spread of the disease. >>moderator: a number of young people are watching this or on twitter or other social media. mr. schilling a question from the quad cities and the average student loans more

than $20,000 in student loan debt. what you need to do to make college education more affordable and is this a major threat to the next generation with their college debt? schilling: as the father of 10 chilled -- 10 children coming out of college it is a big threat also if they cannot find of a job. we have to really work hard to create more competition for the college's what we see right here in illinois that they're completely wasted that dollar should have been spent more appropriately. we have to focus early on with kids in college or high school so they can find a field to go into. not all children will go to college and it is okay to have people that are pipefitters but if you have kids coming to college of $56,000 per year is ridiculous and competition

rather online with help to drive down the prices. bustos: is a crisis exceeding $1 trillion in debt and what people have on credit cards. my husband and i have three sons all very different one is a graduate of a four year public university. one went to a community college but is easily employed as a welder them have an engineering major the nine middle son is getting his m.b.a. but his debt is in the high six figures and sorry five figures. so we can understand first-team and. i have legislation to

refinance a student loans a lower-level. i have then of it sponsored to expand education for those who cannot go to school because they cannot afford it. schilling: itself focuses on the economy. they are very concerned of the payments when they get out but the bigger threat is in the downturn economy no way to pay the payments teeeighteen yesterday's spokesperson said air strikes will not stop isil from moving and sending american ground troops will then stop the crisis? bustos: one of the last votes i cast was to allow for funding for rebels to be trained and ready to fight

this on the ground. on top of that simultaneously doing airstrikes. the way i look at any type of foreign policy issue is number one to start with diplomacy if we cannot be successful with that then look for sanctions then let's take a look militarily. i just brought in the secretary and sat down with them in an intimate setting to be briefed on isis and sat in on class -- classified briefings even the brigadier-general to have been on the ground. >>moderator: is it a possibility of american ground troops? schilling: what happened over the course of the last few months there has been generals that said we need just a few months back, if

you recall we were told isis was nothing to worry about now we will throw of bomb every once in a while it looks good with an empty building being blown up but the fact is there still moving forward still capturing different towns in iraq. as the father of a young man that serves in the united states you have to expire every the possible not to put boots on the ground but the experts are all coming out to say inevitably be will have to have boots on the ground and when i would guess something like that with the sun that could be boots on the ground we take a hard to look at that. >> we have been in afghanistan or iraq more than 10 years our chief of

staff is the boots on the ground combat veteran -- veteran. and to have the of wounded warrior and the person that sees all of our offices the rights take the seriously again i would turn to those before made any decision. >>moderator: only coming from rock island this comes with the electro magnetic pull is relatively easy to accomplish to destroy our into higher electric grid food or water supply why has the congress acted specifically against this threat? schilling: it is one of the

major threats we had on the committee in a major threat to the united states of america. what happens when you start to talk about different threats all over the board, too many people don't believe that this is actual. it is really need to make sure we do everything some people worry about spending money on things like this but this is the right thing to do to make sure we are defending and protecting our area. because people not to have water that could be detrimental to the united states of america that we have people moving forward to make sure they're well protected. bustos: experts are looking at this. that it is a threat ices presents.

and -- isis presents. my profession is an investigative reporter it was for a number of years. how i approach my job than is how i'd do it now the best i can from the best experts. i have a full understanding not one side of the story but multiple sides of the story. i am certainly no expert on the grid but i would defer before i cast about what to do. schilling: this is something we can talky and think about but we need to move it is just like the veterans bill i knew was a bad deal i put it together and set of talking about it and to any

doctor or hospital costs united states it is nothing but talk but we have to defend freedom of the united states of america but we have to get this done. >>moderator: congress has more twists coming to support increasing the debt limit and should sequestration cuts be permanent? bustos: my very first act my very first bill i introduced is for government tax waste and abuse of that identified $200 billion. that is where we should start before we do anything. my opponent voted twice to end the medicare guaranteed. so perhaps looking at balancing the budget on the backs of seniors.

$6,000 of out-of-pocket expenses. on top of that sequestration is a very dangerous place to go my opponent voted for that. right here in this area by $100 million workers who had to take paycheck some that are less than there used to the take-home pay was worse than had to take time off for the number one employer in this area. schilling: the congressmen went to washington to end -- to end the gridlock she voted no on all six judges the first opportunity that she had. and then to compromise our congress never had a government shutdown. the big difference between the two of us when i make promises they keep every

single one of them. she had promised to forgo pay during the government shut down but we did research and found out she did not do that. but at all cost whinnied to try to avoid sequestration there are so many ways out there we could capture we don't need to cut military so far back to where we cannot defend our freedom of united states of america. bustos: i will address the budget. first of all, i voted in favor of the first bipartisan budget agreement in many, many years. was democrat paul ryan and patty murray coming together who came up with the budget. that is a budget that i voted for. and thin to support something like sequestration where it impacts our

community to the tune of $100 million that is the votes in my opinion. >>moderator: the end of our questions but we do have 90 seconds to make a closing statement. bustos: you handled this honorably and i appreciate that and also to be engaged. this is a question of priority i will fight for the middle-class families. my opponent on the other hand, he and his allies ship jobs overseas and made to fight for middle-class families. mix of priorities and will continue to make sure i've fight for those on medicare and social security including my mom and for the right priorities for this district. i will continue to do that.

we have to address the deficit. for government waste and abuse i also know and to deliver for this district and to find results that is why we need to pass of farm bill to give our kids a shot that is why i work as hard as i can and i am proud to say 11 jobs after more than a decade of waiting. with countless veterans to go through the red tape. i am asking you to stand with me and vote for me because illinois is fighting for us. schilling: also thanks to all the viewers out there

tonight the question i have for each and every one who out there is watching that things you have a better than your parents? how many believe your kids or grandkids will have a better than you? love was born and raised. he was a bartender big east if we work hard we could succeed here in america. we all of pete's a store and watch every single penny that we spent. we raise our 10 children in the middle class. that is the american dream of one to pass them on to future generations right now it is now working. i want to get people out there are not looking at politicians but people who were a citizen legislators not career politicians. the one thing is to play by the rules i cut my own

budget by 11.4% on top of that return $110,000 to the taxpayer rejected pension and reject it health care and some of the male couch. we all work together not just to have this but to come together as americans for future generations for the american dream that was handed on to us. >>moderator: thank you to ms. bustos and mr. schilling for their campaigns and we encourage all voters of the 17th congressional district to cast their ballots on the cake -- election day. on behalf of treen 20 thanks for joining us. have a great night. ♪

>> this week marking the first of two debates in the wisconsin governor's race where scott walker seeks a second term challenge by democrat mary. we have bill glauber from the "journal" sentinel thank you for being with us. the debate on a friday night? to read the want to compete against high-school football that actually that is when they get the air time and can clear the stations and how the wisconsin and broadcasters have done it for years. >> the first is taking place at the mayo clinic will be

looking for? >> the format is a 1990's format or 1970's of moderator, for panelist and a question to each participant, 92nd answers answers, 32nd rebuttals with long opening statements of two minutes closing statements of three minutes. it will be a stupid venue i think and a lot of sound bites. >> facing his own recall he could overcome that campaign so now give us a sense what is happening in this race spinets the polls right now show that walker leads by five percentage points that is outside the margin of error i would say it is very close although mary is a former executive that has

come on as a pretty good campaigner to keep a close and walker is trying to move the needle he is a well-known commodity easy like him or you don't as a governor and the opinion is deeply entrenched that is why i think this race has not moved much although walker has finally gotten the lead but it could switch and anything could happen. >> the fact that it is so close to that surprise you? >> no. wisconsin is the definition of a purple states although is because of deeply blue milwaukee and madison and then read surrounding those areas so it is polarized and you always have a close race whether this a ride --

statewide elections although usually a close presidential state. >> what about mary. and how does the walker campaign view her? >> she is tough to pin down because she is not really a politician it is not her career as a philanthropist she's on the madison school board it is the first statewide race in his stake in the walker team a lot of time to attack her to drive up the negatives it is finally happening a little bit when there was a jobs plan that it turns out sections were used by other democratic candidates it was the consultants faults but then this week ended jan mary burke lap. >> we have seen the tax cuts a few hundred dollars per year that the walker

campaign pointed to that as something that has been positive but the mary burke campaign says too little too late. >> they have said that but the main issue in this race is jobs. governor walker to do 50,000 jobs would be created during his first years in office but that has not happened. so they will deal with numbers and labor statistics and basically of view of the economy. is a working or not? >> senator warner talks about the potential presidential campaign he has to get through this first. war during? >> he has them looking at that race for a long time. is obvious he has done everything you do if you run for president going around the country to give speeches

in 2012, wrote a book, and definitely somebody who could unite the republican party but he has to get through this. then the other question mark is it called ryan decides to run for president what would scott walker do? but they are focused on winning the governor's race. >> they have known each other for many years they are friends also head of the national republican see you have a real wisconsin connection at the highest reaches of the republican party. >> joining us from milwaukee or writing for the sentinel bill glauber is with us. thank you. >> thank you.

>> first things first if you elect me governor you'll have 1.$5 billion budget deficit, spending under control and budgets were a nightmare. be reversed all that more

balanced and -- for a balanced budgets and securing the foundation to help all residents. education and health care and jobs and kids this recovery will last for generations. >> i am running for governor because rick snyder economy might work for a the economy but not the rest of michigan i fought to rescue the auto industry but there is so much to do. as governor i will cut middle-class taxes and get rid of tax breaks for companies that send their jobs overseas because our economy should work for everyone. not just the wealthy. >> jennifer grant:one of the largest tax increases in michigan history things to her senate leader. the boat to?

he was called to go to guy in the senate and was also called of rock star. rock star? with 300,000 jobs lost and tripled the debt? he is leaving michigan drowning in debt stemming cutting $1 billion from education. >> $1 billion limit now to increase school funding? >> definitely not mine. >> rick snyder education cuts made my school more crowded. >> teachers were laid off vendors the economy. a good job comes from a good education. >> rick snyder cut $1 million from education. >> we see it every day.

the first debate between

democratic state senator johnson and lankford. their running for the seat that is a vacated by a cockburn it is listed as a republican this is about one hour. ♪ one from oklahoma state university eight professor of political science here and it is my pleasure to moderate u.s. senate debate. this is a joint effort between the league of women voters and oklahoma university let's introduce the candidates democratic state senator connie johnson

and the representative lankford. [applause] would as you all know a campaign is a very long job interview as such we will approach this debate as an interview. we have selected a series of question dealing with the issues of our time to hear where the candidates stand. the debate and the format will be there each candidate has two minutes for the opening remarks and two minutes for closing in each question has 90 seconds. all questions in my section recollected by me alone however we will be taking some questions from students in the audience we have usher is walking through right now for students to

write down questions write your name and the year that they are here at ls you up panel will review those represented from the college republicans and democrats and league of women voters will review the questions and give me the top three. with that let's start with opening statements. based on the coin toss toss, connie johnson you will go last eight u.s. representative mr. lankford you will start. lankford: it is my honor to go here for those watching on line and those in the room. it is a privilege for the two of us to stand here and we carry a responsibility for our state and nation. 22 years i served in ministry working with families mostly high-school and college age.

we have a tremendous need in our families but four years ago i was called to serve and the house of representatives. it is still serving families doing what we have always done to do what we can with our family and time and effort to make the best of friends we can for our state and the gaudy and families in our community. four years ago walking into the house of representatives was like walking back on campus because the middle school lunch shipwrights itself to run each other down to say crazy things that is exactly what this is in congress a big middle school lunchroom. to reset the tone and example how we pay respect to each other even when we disagree to a set of parameters this is what we consider best for the nation how we get those accomplished instead of complaining but to solve issues. we have all kinds of

educational issues and opportunities for the and this generation as they come up we want everyone to. we have income inequality had a lot of issues to deal with it is essential we take them seriously and if they work together to find real results i strongly believe solutions to win out but those options a an idea every neighborhood and town in our state we will honor each other through the process provided for her to the conversation tonight to talk to you on these issues. >> senator johnson. johnson: good evening. it is my privilege to be here this evening to present my feelings, thoughts, and used to see how those issues resonate with you in the state of oklahoma.

mr. lankford is correct it is time to have a the conversation and economic equality about fairness and economic system and taxes and health care. women's reproductive freedoms and privatization of social security and the future well-being of the majority or the baby boomers. it is time to have the conversation that is a void of conservatives or republicans or democrats prepared is time to talk about the people of oklahoma what issues government should be addressing and what he should be addressing as individuals. as they travel the state of oklahoma i talk about the need to strengthen public education said need to

create jobs that are meaningful to pay debt living wage not just the minimum wage to increase the infrastructure but to talk about the need for the government to let people make choices and the government should not have anything to do with. coming tube with 33 years of experience in the oklahoma senate and i have written policies that make a difference in their lives now i am asking for your vote in the senate to do the same thing in washington d.c.. i am happy you are here tonight and i look for work for these conversations. [applause] >>moderator: i did forget to mention and that we do ask audience members to hold the applause until the end of the debates we can focus attention on their answers along. it is time now for the questions.

the first will go to congressman lankford. i set it up with the introduction that the campaign is a long job interview so let's talk about campaign finance reform. not many people would apply if the application fee was 10 times the salary of the job but that is what takes place when members run for office use think the money spent is the problem and to support a constitutional amendment to curtail it? lankford: i would not support a constitutional amendment to curtail it. the first amendment was set up to protect political speech to lasting the founders would have was a king to step in to tell everyone how to talk about things what they could or could not or who gets the voice. students right now are protesting in hong kong because the leadership in china says we have a few changes will make in the election loss we have a

select group of leaders we should allow that every conversation but i can assure you it is frustrating to walk through those campaign issues to retrieve file every form but it is appropriate of the transparency that is needed. as many people would know if you have a commercial on television it does cost money they don't do that for free. design does cost money a piece of mail or to put on the back of their car with a sticker fund-raising does not go to the candidate by to help get the message out for the campaign so when say i would like to have your help they can make a decision what they will do so transparency is important. we have that. people can look on line to see every donor and that is appropriate but i do not like the thought of silencing political speech.

johnson: is in fact, the cost of running a campaign is 10 times the cost or 10 times the amount of the soviet would expect to receive i am on minimum-wage. we are a grass-roots campaign, the only thing that trump's dollars. we have enjoyed traveling the states in my car paying food for my helpers' i believe the cost of the campaign should not outweigh the value of the campaign so like citizens united to be funneled into the corporation's to make decisions that are not always in the best interest of the people that is we are speaking to with campaign

finance reform that a court hearing decision that has been held but how we get the message out to people i appreciate the opportunity for those that are watching us on line it is a

>> >> >> that is not knacker use of military force. for too often but now the issue is this is the way the system was set back that. it is very specific. to determine all these different amendments federal 69 is a good one to look at. in terms of four power from

the previous king of england who could call up his army to execute to have the war. the president of the united states does not have that authority he cannot just call up the army he is the commander in chief after congress approved simply so we the american people are in caged in that conversation and we feel threatened then the american people from the elected representatives can say it is time to engage to put sons and daughters at risk the presidential leak should come back and i have spoke to that of the house floor. >>moderator: congressmen this is in our backyard senator rick perry calls on federal officials to screen procedures at u.s. all -- all u.s. ports of entry and to conduct other assessments for overall health. if elected to the senate

would you support those moves? lankford: we have procedures in place and we're trying to make changes to the process but coming from west africa we have had to determine did you have contact with someone with ebola sometimes they do or they don't right now batman he was fully aware but he lied on his form coming through so the first check is not just tell us the truth but verify every individual if we talk about one person in the united states right now with the ball what it is dramatic but in west africa 720-0500 people right now have ebola and the system is completely overwhelmed cdc estimates january nearly half a million people of west africa. so while we take this seriously but there are

people halfway around the world better in desperate need of the engagement. this disease will spread. there is no other place in the world that is better equipped than we are to deal with this disease it would be wrong to back up to allow half a million people to die because we don't want to engage because we are afraid we are equipped the we should also pay attention to the ports of entry so we do basic screenings. johnson: this is the most dire world health issue of our economy not just coming to america but the majority of these cases are clear by the mobile society of today coming from japan and both

areas are just as likely and capable as exposure as anywhere in the world it would cover anyone who comes from overseas is non invasive now to go through the airport's i'll think anyone would consider it a hassle it is something we have to be committed to and until we can get it under control bill measure is too extreme. screening is not a difficult process. it is available to be instituted immediately and one that people don't mind having to go through. johnson: marriage to quality

coming on the heels of the state supreme court decision to overturn the same-sex marriage and including oklahoma that more than 20 states me an same-sex marriage my wife and i move to estate that in another state our marriage would be recognized but if same-sex couple moves is to a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage they are not shed congress stepped in to make it legal in all 50 states are the the to the states? >>. johnson: i am pleased this debate comes on the heels of the no decision i celebrated with my friends yesterday that are of different gender orientation but first and foremost, humans furs how you treat human beings

differently than the way we were like to be treated the whole question of same-sex marriage from 10 years ago said demographics have changed substantially and those that choose to do their different oriented they have the same life are oriented there should not be an opportunity just like the interstate commerce to have freedom to go from state to state with their values and principles with the necessary governmental interference. if the united states was to take on the issue it would be used -- useful discussion because that the state level we see the attitude is

changing as the states grow older and the nation becomes more mitscher and we have a duty to respect humanity. lankford: every person has value and worth. but the united states constitution clearly the use that authority to the states i say clearly because it is clear from the tenth amendment not all things addressed send a constitutional reserved to the states not just my opinion but go back to a hundred years of supreme court history over and over any issue of marriage the supreme court said that is the state issued at a federal government issue they should not be engaged in that marriage issue but as recently as last year the supreme court in the defense of marriage act during the final piece came out did page after page saying it is

the state issue. states alone can make a decision about marriage what is interesting is the supreme court said we will not hear a case and their interpretation was either states make the decision or a single judge they of the early conflicted from just one year ago look at what happened yesterday compared to last year it is amazing. it is uniquely a state issue. a marriage should remain between a man and woman but the states should make the decision not the federal government. >>moderator: this next question the decision to send u.s. troops to

afghanistan is simple. to read to have them return home? congressman lankford . lankford:. a family has to make that choice to get online at the

v.a. center when they're already six already. it does not treat them with absolute respect. so not only just financing but look at the process to allow the districts to choose health care rather than certain locations. this past bills that came to the house we sent on to the senate now what will end up being negotiated within 40 miles but we did take the first up to say we hope in the days ahead we will have some personal perspective to open up to say about veterans to be able to choose that is the essential part. and the promises that have been made to those veterans.

alone providing the services i will fight just as hard for veterans at the u.s. level as i have at the state level. i believe that veterans have given up everything that they have. they dropped what they were doing command they went to war to protect our freedom. at minimal when they return home we need and they deserve to give them the best that we can afford. i was privileged the other day to witness the flat

coming to the airport in washington d.c., and rare having a celebration tonight in the oklahoma city to honor those world war ii veterans. the

we have to use our voices to make sure that we vet them in ways that guarantee that we can expect them to perform in their capacities and toppled the laws of the land. the loss of the land, i think, are what will be the ultimate test then the ultimate judge of who gets selected to be a supreme court justice. >> moderator: thank you. congressman?

lankford: all right. the united states constitution, the supreme court is a coequal branch of government. people lose track of that. their is a perspective that the president is the ceo of the government and gives instructions to folks. it is not true. design of our constitution is the executive, legislative, and judicial, and all three are coequal and all free press and each other. the checks and balances were not on war or the other but were in place so that no one branch can infringe upon the individual rights of a person, thus. it is not just that they compete with each other but there are all watching each other to make sure the power of the individual is protected. so my first let ms. test on that would be, do you follow the original intent of the constitution? as you look at the constitution, the design that was laid out, are you falling as a guide or do you feel this is a living document that can change with the whim of culture? that is not consistent with the constitution and there is a way for the constitution to change,

through an amendment process it would follow a strict construction of the constitution and sarah will be consistent, i can be comfortable with that person they're determined to make calls or references are political preferences rather than actually following the law, then i would absolutely oppose them. >> thank you. welcome a car riesman, this question actually builds under discussion of the constitution. based upon as a promise a clause of the constitution, federal law trump's state law. currently there are several states in violation of federal enforcement laws regarding marijuana. should congress follow the lead of the states and legalize marijuana nationally, or should existing federal law be enforced, thus negating the legalization of marijuana in states like colorado and washington? >> it is interesting question because this is one of the many areas that the president has spoken to the justice department and said, don't in force federal law. he has used the power of selective prosecution to say i'm doing to put it was laws

need to be enforced and which don't. i think as a problem. and the president takes the oath of office he does so to honor the constitution and to protect the laws and to be able to execute faithfully the laws of the land. we have a law on the books. there's a need to change that louganis to be a vote to taken away, not the president's stepping up to saying, not going to enforce a law. that should not be an option. as recently as yesterday the governor of colorado, one of the greatest names, yesterday made the statement that he believed that cholera was reckless when they legalize marijuana. democratic governor of colorado because of what is happening now and what he actually sees. he wished that they would have had more research and data before they made this decision is state. so i absolutely do. part of it is for me in my own perspective, but i

worked with teenagers for 22 years. i have seen firsthand the damage done to families when teenagers get involved in drug use. as adults start using drugs, i just have a hard time with anyone sang the best thing we can do for our kids is to get to paris as smoke marijuana. i just don't think that's the best thing we can do for kids. >> thank you. senator johnson. >> thank you. johnson: the question was more so about the federal law trumping the state laws at this point. and the president having issued basically a hands-off position about what is going on in colorado and washington. as many of you know, i have been a legislator who has promoted are marijuana policies among other because of the unsustainably from an economic perspective but only from an economic but from a medical perspective and from the perspective of our economy, agriculture, i

think it is just as terrible for a child who is suffering intractable caesars that cause epilepsy, i think it is just as bad for us to allow those children to die without having any concern for the fact that we have a natural substance that was created by god that would address both seizures and has been shown to be the only thing that addresses seizures. those children dying are no different from the children who are dying from violence in the streets because of prohibition that have not worked. but at the end of the day oklahoma is a state where kendis is an indigenous plant and our agricultural community could benefit and make products from the sun tan to lotion to paper to closing, and those are issues that we should look at and wake more so than what we are talking about in

terms of checking state. >> moderator: thank you. well, state senator, surveys show the average generation and perhaps even some of the students sitting in this audience think it is more likely that they will see a ufo in their lifetime that it is that they will ever see as social security check . what reform social security, if any, would you push for? johnson: i would push against privatization. social security is that think that, yes, we hope our your average generations will be able to benefit and share what i hope to share one day, but at this point the efforts in congress and at the national level along with other areas of our lives to privatize that system in ways that will put a lot of people, one in particular that has a difficult time getting a job making equal pay for equal work. they would be thrust into poverty if we allow privatization to come in and take over our social security system.

so the system, i believe, working as it is. we should do something to shore it up, but in no case would i support a change where we would privatize social security. it is just as bad as protesting education, the pensions, privatizing child welfare and oklahoma. privatization means profiteering, and that is why we are seeing. people deserve to profit over private interest. social security is a system that is there, has been there, service people who have worked all their lives and who in their twilight years deserve to have air reasonable income and some security that keeps them from being poor. >> thank you. lankford: first off, it is probably more likely they will see bigfoot before they see a ufo. ufos to the land farther west of us apparently. the big challenge that we have is really making sure social security does what it

was designed to do. social security as birth was designed to kick in an age 65. by that time the average life expectancy was between 62 and 65, an emergency plan put in place that someone outlive their own retirement and lived past their life expectancy that there would be something there as an emergency backups of people did not end up on the street a compassionate nation does have we want to be able to come alongside those that cannot work anymore and have some sort of emergency back up but has now risen up to be something that people say will pay for all of my retirement. people are slowing down, people need to save for their own retirement in may plans, big or small. people only set aside $10 a month to set aside. start a plan to get that going in now the social security as a backup. one of the things that is troubling right now, harry reid has said many times publicly the social security is not something we need to deal with right now.

i adamantly disagree. we do need to deal with it right now. age, how it's done, the whole process of social security and evaluate how it is done. he go back to tip o'neill and ronald reagan, they made a plan. it is only just now being birth and fully implemented. takes decades to get it going, but you have got to start early. is important we do this debate now. >> thank you. >> moderator: repealing the affordable health care act also known as obamacare has been a recurring topic. instead of discussing why or why not obamacare should be repealed listed to the central topic of the debate. do you believe quality health care is our right or a privilege in the united states of america? lankford: it is both, something that is given to every individual. walk into a hostile right now with severe injuries you will be given care. every emergency room in the country, every single entity. we have back up plans with medicaid for those that are

in poverty, especially children. but our system is set up for individuals to be able to engage. for individuals that decide to take personal responsibility. their is a tremendous push back. what are you going to do to take responsibility for your life? for so each family has responsibility for their own family. lawyers have taken that today will to push that providing health care coverage. but i can say the wrong way to do that is to federalize. i said it like this with multiple people. i run into very few people that i meet the sake of the system is really not working well. and i don't find anyone that thinks the health care system is working well as far as the payment system. so what would make this work better is giving it to washington because washington seems to fix every private problem much better than the private sector did. the problem is not that it is going to get better. it is going to get more complicated, more expensive,

decreasing the amount of access. we have seen premiums go up, folks that are now struggling to build to find access to the care that they want while others are receiving care. there's a better, simpler way to do this. community health clinics, a better model to be able to help. but not like this, not a takeover. >> moderator: thank you. state senator johnson. johnson: whether health care is a right or privilege is the question, and i agree with congressman james lankford. it is both. however, we have a health care proposal for the first time in 50 years that is actually making a difference in the lives of people who were here to fore unable my only to afford insurance but to have access to meaningful and affordable and quality of care. the affordable care act means that people who were not insured before, millions are now insured. the fact that we have a congress that has

continually, 54 times, voted to try to repeal a law that has been passed, that has been upheld, and that has been implemented to of we are wasting money and we are killing people. that is a priority. i believe it is more important for us to look at what is going on with our health care system when people cannot get the care that they need to my our systems of government and care are overloaded and people's health care conditions are continuing to decline. oklahoma is rated like 48 and health care. and that says to me that not only should it be a right to run not only should it be a privilege, it should be a medical necessity. government exists to provide those things and we can do individually. health care. when you have your health you have everything. when you have your health you have a better worker. when you have workers who are respected you don't have employers trying to director health care service.

>> well, state senator, the fact is most voters will cast their ballots consistent. there is, however, a growing population of independent voters. why should an independent voter vote for you? johnson: the platform that i have spoken to throughout this campaign in terms of strengthening public education, creating meaningful with the weights jobs but to invest in our infrastructure, those are things that resonate, i believe, not only with terror crespo with republicans and certainly with the independence. the preferred area of this campaign in which talks about protecting civil liberties, protecting civic freedom, that, i think, is the area that resonates with independence because in a sense of independence have given up on both parties. because of the parties

positions. i think in addition to independence we have a lot of libertarians who are concerned about this over reach of government. government is buying on us on our daily lives in a daily wake. where we are incarcerating for-profit people who have been, or convicted of possession of nonviolence substances, where women's rights and, choosing to make decisions about their own reproductive health care is challenged and restricted and even to the point of limiting women's rights to contraception. i think those are the aspects of my campaign that resonate with people who are outside of either party but who want to see a change, want to hear a voice that was speak differently and speeches to power. >> i would like to reach out to republicans, independents , and democrats. where one state, 4 million of us, not all republicans agree about everything, not

all democrats agree about everything, not all independence. i have four members of my family and we start of the picture restaurant after church on sunday. we don't all agree. we can get a chance to respect each other as we talk through the process. what i would bring to an independent is, have a conservative perspective, believed the constitution, believe that system helps us to believe the economy can grow if government is less engaged in the day-to-day operation of the economy and we can get back to the growth of individual lives and their families and allow people to the will to live their lives on their own and make their own choices. i would also say independence are frustrated with rhetoric. what some people actually treat each other with respect. a christian world you and i come from and working with families, i am going to treat people with respect to what people that i disagree with, and there will be people i disagree with. but i want to be well to listen to all people of all backgrounds. george macy gray stated that

i've always appreciated, truth is now responsible for its owner. pretty wise to be able to listen to that. there are people that i may disagree with other issues, but i will agree with them on that. demands the use slow down and listen to people in the process and get to know folks. >> thank you. >> well, congressman, centered on beefing up border security. is border security the solution? lankford: no, it is much bigger actually. i come from a couple different perspectives. i believe every person has value and worth and should be treated with respect. and your rhetoric to means individuals warm bark -- regardless of where they're from is out of bounds for me at believe that there is a responsibility that every person has to their own nation. i am a citizen of this country and have unique rights and responsibilities. and every other country

amagansett. the conversation is about build a fence six. well, there are areas where we absolutely should have a fence and a strong offense, but down the taxes mexico border the international border is actually the center of the rio grande river. you're not going to build a fence down the center of a river, neither would you abdicate to mexico that river. so how do you deal with it? border security is essential. we should have been policing along our borders and make sure north and south and the maritime coast and make sure that we are watching and being attentive. we absolutely should work with the governments of mexico and the other three countries or realizing that we have 11 million people here illegally, to a half million of whom are from poor countries. mexico, guatemala, honduras, el salvador. well, if they're going to come in from central america that have to cross the mexican border to do that. we should work with a country in mexico to patrol the border, and we should have a policy that does not

allowed individuals to deal to apply and work for a short time with absolute standards and to make sure that that occurs. the only way that that happens is if the enforcement is in the workplace. as a local areas. >> thank you. state senator. >> thank you. >> talking and immigration, and the congress is pointed out that the majority of them are coming from areas south of america. i think we have to realize that we are all immigrants and america apart from the indigenous people. we all came to america in one ship, formal or fashion. my people came over in the bottom of the space ship. and so the process for people coming into america is what i think we're needing to look at. when we establish a system that has checks and balances for people who want to come to work couple of want to come and make america a new

home, willing to abide by the rules to do the test and to become a citizen and pay the money, then we should be open. again, we all came here from somewhere. i think our policies about immigration are in need of repair. i think the president has been opposing solutions. congress has yet to act. and as your next u.s. senator would be open to all aspects of the issue. i would definitely be open to things that i think it is sure that people who come here, who have played by the rules and do what is necessary and begin paying taxes and contribute to society, america is a better place where we have diversity. the inventions that comes our way, the technological advances, all of those things come about because we are inviting people into our space. >> thank you. well, it is time now to hear from oklahoma state

university students. a panel has reviewed the questions that were submitted by students in the audience. the first question comes from kenneth, a senior. this question is to you, do you support the policy of using drone strikes to cope perspective terrorists, including u.s. citizens? johnson: the policy of using drugs is typical of americans for a policy to date. military solutions, basically conflicts around the world. i think the policies regarding the terms are under review. i do not agree with that use of that technology. i do understand that it has been useful in some settings . but i think there are other ways for us to resolve our differences. and the use of extreme measures like drums ought to be the very last consideration. >> thank you.

>> congressman. >> these are difficult issues of a lot of ways. >> so this ongoing conversation. president bush use johnson's of the strikes. uni to have a conversation after this is over, is there a difference between an f-16 launching a missile, between an apache launching a hellfire or between a drug being able to launch something? for seven individuals they say, yes, they don't like a drone. what a pilot in the aircraft actually launching pad rather than the pilot being a thousand miles away. i would say in a wartime experience there is no difference. when you deal with the issue of what happens if that is america on the ground? well, americans have rights that a different and other individuals, constitutional protections. but if america commits a treasonous act and is at war with the united states, if

there's any way to be a will to capture the individual, they should stand for trial. there's no way to safely access that person and their a battlefield situation in preparation to attack true with the enemy, yes, we are justified. that is no different than a police officer standing on the street an american citizen draws a gun and says all about to shoot you for a police officer to be able to respond. it may be difficult to process, but the president of the united states has a difficult responsibility to protect americans and to protect the country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. this is one that requires oversight and is one area i do not disagree. we should protect america. >> thank you. >> moderator: congressman this next question comes from a sophomore year. where do you stand on the issue of religious liberty, the outage of the applied to the islamic state? lankford: i am adamantly

protective. as one of the issues i talked about openly. i have fadel lot of folks because i come from a ministry background they come to me and say, you need to hone down your conversation. i respond and say, look at article six of the constitution. it appears no religious test for any officer of the united states. you don't have to have a certain phase or put your friends the way. that is the same for every single american. every person that is in this room. you can have a face, live it out or just have no faith of all, the christian, jewish, islamic, hindu, sheik kamal ever you choose to be. this is the united states of america, and we are different. we should protect the religious liberties of every individual. i stand up and say, regardless of your background we need to protect those rights. there are some in the islamic faith that cannot practice their faith apart from the government also being aligned with their

face. literally it drifts into sure real offer me to say, for me to function i have to also control the government, the community. that is not all veteran is lummox, but there are some. we in the united states absolutely honor those that have religious faith, but you can up the individual that would try to undercut the united states government for the practice of your faith. the government exists to protect all faiths. >> thank you. state senator. >> thank you. johnson: this whole issue of religious liberty is one that is concerning to many voters, and it comes under that hold title of what does the government do and what does the government not do? what should the government to with regard to people's lives, their liberty, the pursuit of happiness? i believe that religious liberty is essential and that for the government to try to interfere and determine who is supposed to

do what is an embarrassment, actually a slap in the face to people would choose to be different. so that in our country when we have a condition of religious liberty being questioned or being constrained, that is not the best possible situation for ross. i believe that in these days and times we have extremists in every faith, those of us who would only adhere to the old testament and the christian faith, an increase in the new testament. sometimes to the extent that we are infringing on the territory similar to what other extremist religious might be doing. some religious liberty is a personal issue. it is an issue that the government should not be addressing. it is an issue that the united states was founded on we came here seeking religious freedom.

for us to change now and try to construct one group while wearing other is unacceptable in my opinion. >> thank you. well, this question comes from derek we'll meant to my junior year. which of the senate committees do you feel you were most qualified to serve under? johnson: thank-you, derek. deep thinkers. appreciate that. it's just graduated. i have served significantly in the area of health and human services for the last 33 years. i have been in the area where we reform medicaid, reform the health care authority in the state of oklahoma, but i have also focused on criminal justice reform. how do we reform our criminal justice laws in ways that are productive and that don't cost as a lot of money? i have enjoyed serving and the veterans committee. i got a big lesson when i

served on the transportation committee because i know that roads and bridges are the keys to recovery in terms of economic principles so i think i know i would like to stay in health and human services, but i have a hard for the veterans. i have an economic interest in transportation. i enjoy serving on energy. i would be available to serve wherever airbus suited to serve, were my leader think sec should serve, will serve in that position, do my best, and if i gain seniority at would branch out into other areas that continue to expand my expertise. >> thank you. >> moderator: congressman. lankford: i currently serves on the committee call overset and government reform and the house of representatives. gile subcommittee chairman and have oversight. i work a tremendous amount of things i social security and disability but i work a

lot of the issues of oversight of government. duplication in government areas ..

so that the agencies are required the agencies i should say to provide that list and look for the areas where we have duplication. why do we need 50 programs across the agencies that do the same thing? we don't have money to spare. we are $17 trillion in debt for which is the big issue that we face we have to get the government back to greater efficiency. that'll have to be the last question. >> for those that end that end were to be be a line in the line of leadership conversation for your engagement. people don't make decisions based on the sign or the sticker based on the real and the and processed meat decisions on that. i would ask you if you'd like to do additional research on my background but i think about a lot of issues you can go to

james langford.com and we have the chance to do greater research and find out what i really banned by all about. this is an issue about trust. as you said earlier this is a long job interview. i said that a lot as i traveled around the state. for me i do treat this like a job interview. i go to people and say here's what i believe and here's what i'm all about. i don't try to compare contrast to stuff i say here's what i am. i would ask for your vote and processed. my family and they work and pray very hard for the nation and we do the dues they engaged. we are committed to serving in every community in every and every town and every city and every small village. we are going to stay engaged to listen but i can also say to you even when i listen and do research research at the end i have a responsibility to be able to make a decision. the issues we face right now in america are serious.

and they are difficult. we can fix all this if we will just end will just end the day filling the blank. oversimplifying some of the issues we deal with as a nation. this here we year we have $500 billion in overspending. we were 1.4 trillion in overspending that year. i will listen. i will research and again i will lead you to make the decisions to help us in the nation. god bless you and i look forward to other ongoing conversation that next 28 days. >> moderator: state senator? it's been a pleasure to be here this evening and to share in the conversation about the issues that most affect us. we talk about veterans and about immigration and defense and

health care and social security. i encourage you to ask the questions what have you done for me lately. what have we done to make a difference in the lives of you and you and you. as the next u.s. senator, i commit to you to always be a voice and that years that will listen to what is of interest to you and the challenges facing you for your life? i've always been an advocate of voting and i challenge you tonight to believe that this election is the most important that we will have in the next ten years. this is the election they don't think anyone will vote in. i'm encouraging you to go out, use your vote and make the vote your voice. that is the only way that we get to the government that really meets the needs of individuals.

as your u.s. senator it will be my privilege and honor to represent you the areas that matter most like education, strengthening our health and public education schools into system. i was creating jobs that were meaningful jobs that pay a living wage but making the government do the things the to do the things the government is supposed to do for us as people and not in our lives as individuals. those are the challenges, those are the opportunities that lie before us today. thanks for having us here i want to thank my family and supporters here with us this evening. this has been a privilege and i appreciate you. god bless you and vote for me, 2014, november 4. you can visit me and get more information at www.cj4ok.com.

>> moderator: that concludes that the date. i would like to thank state senator connie johnson and james lankford very cordial and informative debate. i would also like to think the student volunteers that helped with the events today as well as recognize the partnership between the league of women voters in oklahoma and oklahoma state university. he sure to vote on november 4 and have a good night. [applause] democratic congresswoman cheri bustos and her republican challenger former congressman bobby schilling talked about last year's government shutdown. here is a look at the question. >> moderator: let's talk about congress as we close this debate

would start with you cheri bustos. congress has more physical clips in the coming months. if you support an increase in the development and permit? cheri cheri: the first bill that i introduced is a tax government waste and abuse and not in a small way that identified $200 billion wasteful government spending. it would cost to seniors each $6,000 on out-of-pocket expenses and that is not the way that we need to tax the budget problems that we have. on top of that, sequestration is a very, very dangerous place to go. my opponent voted for that and here's why. in this economy right here in this area it was attacked by $100 million. we had workers at our arsenal to

take paychecks home that were less than they were taking home and who did he come he was worse and that is the vote is cast for the number one employee in this area. >> moderator: mr. schilling? schilling: i find this interesting because the congresswoman went to washington, d.c. to end the gridlock dysfunction in the very first opportunity that she got she voted no on all six budgets. when you go to congress, you've got to be able to compromise. our congress never had a government shutdown and the thing is it is a big difference between the two of us when i made promises to the people in the district, i kept every single one of them. the incumbent congresswoman had promised to forgo her pay her in the government shutdown. we did research and found no she didn't do that. i think the key thing that we have to do at all costs is to try to avoid sequestration. there is so much waste out there that we could go and capture and

we don't need to go in and start cutting our military so far back to where we can defend our freedom in the united states of america. >> this was the only debate between cheri bustos and republican challenger former congressman bobby schilling. you can see the entire debate on c-span.org. about politics as the district leans democratic and the late september poll shows that of representative leading.

>> next a debate in the race for for the colorado suspects the district between incumbent republican mike coffman and

andrew romanoff. representative coffman has been serving since 2009 and mr. romanoff in in the color of of our state house for eight years. the political report considers it a tossup. the debate runs for about a half an hour. >> moderator: good evening. let's get right to it. the audience has agreed to hold its applause for the entire debate except for this one moment when we invite the entire studio audience to join us in welcoming congressmen mike coffman and andrew romanoff. [applause] >> a brief note on the rules of the debate established ahead of time. one minute responses to questions, some of which directed to both candidates and some simply to one candidate redirecting and rebuttal at my discretion and at the discretion of my colleague. we will have a short answer

section as well. candidates will be about to pose one question to their opponent and we will have closing statements. we have not shared of the questions were the topics with the candidate or the campaigns ahead of time and before we get started one last note we should disclose that mr. romanoff worked as a political analyst at 9news. let's get going. gentleman would start with the big story today. the u.s. supreme court has greenlighted same-sex marriage in a number of states including here in colorado. congressman mike coffman, you're on the record opposing such marriages and mr. romanoff, you support them. is there a danger for republicans like yourself to overtime have found themselves now squarely at odds with american public opinion and some would say the course of history text romanoff: i respect the decision of the court. >> moderator: mr. romanoff should americans oppose same-sex religion on religious grounds be

forced to participate in such ceremonies and facilitate marriages between same-sex couples do you believe in any kind of a freedom of conscience provision x. romanoff: it gives the freedom of religion to institutions in america but what i think all americans ought to ask themselves -- including congressman mike mike coffman as is a friend and loved one, and i'm speaking in personal experience because i have a cousin who is gay, and i think we all know someone, shouldn't they have the right to marry their partner in extend fully quality under the law to all americans? isn't about simply to suggest i'm part of the legislative branch, when the fact is that congress has sought to outlaw marriage equality. i'm glad today the court has allowed marriage equal to the two events across the nation. doctor martin luther king jr. once said of the art of the university of load goes towards justice. >> moderator: if you would like to answer the question do you believe in any type of conscience of the freedom?

romanoff: i'm not interested in telling a religious institution what it should do but i do believe in the full equality under the law. >> moderator: i have a question for both of you on what we could argue as described as issue number one. what is the one biggest thing quite simply the congress could do now to promote job growth and how would you help get it on and i will start with you. coffman: i would stop sending them. he's voted to the companies that do that and at the first debate you said you've couldn't remember casting such a vote so i provided you and the rest of the audience the list of the votes in the second debate. the truth is instead of subsidizing job losses, you send money to rebuild the infrastructure, to put more americans back to work here at home preparing the roads and bridges. that is a better way to create good middle-class jobs here in colorado and across the united states. >> moderator: mr. coffman coffman: you are destroying my record exactly like you did.

distorted the record and when they called it out for it in the editorial and is said about your attacks for misleading and they were below the belt and i don't think that it's any different now. so let me talk about what you know that i've done. you know that i fought to cut the red tape that is struggling small business and hurting their ability to promote jobs and grow this economy. you know that i worked with senator across the aisle for the aerospace industry here in colorado to change expert so that we can grow jobs at home. i fought for the tax reform and the credits in exchange for the lower marginal rates to make america more competitive in this economy. >> moderator: one more policy proposal, one next thing the congress could do. coffman: i governmentally think that it causes distortions in the economy.

the tax code i think it's complicated. it's a burden on business. let's take on the special interest and again in exchange for the lower marginal rate. we will grow this economy and we will have more tax revenue at the end. >> moderator: romanoff: he didn't defend the votes he cast the jobs shipped overseas. you heard the continuation of the attacks but that doesn't make the record any better. coffman: the fact is the biggest issue that is causing the jobs to move overseas as the u.s. tax code and the fact that we are unique in the world in that business is abroad paid at the host country and unlike any other country when they try to repatriate that revenue back to the united states to create jobs and economic opportunities here they are taxed again and that is the biggest issue describing

them overseas. >> moderator: we will move onto the next question and this one is for you. you have renounced the past support say you were still a pro-life candidate if it is not supportive antiabortion policy? click >> moderator: that personhood is too broad and i think there ought to be exceptions and i think there is a balance and i support that. >> moderator: do you still support antiabortion policy? coffman: i am pro-life. >> moderator: it was what does that mean speaking as a member of congress what would you do? coffman: i voted for the bill the first 20 weeks into the exception after. i consistently voted against medicaid funding for abortion on the exception of rape or incest of the mother. >> moderator: in this race and in the last one in 2010, you spoke about the corrupt

influence of the money and you are refusing to accept it. and. and the rise to power in the colorado house you both accepted the money. so i'm curious how it is that this money has corrupted your opponent is democrat and republicans but never corrupted you. romanoff: the influence of the special interest has corrupted the system and i've not suggested that you can trace a particular vote, congressman or anyone else that has cast to a particular condition that expected the political action committee but it's pretty obvious the special interest wouldn't be giving so much money to both parties in congress if they didn't get anything from anyone in return. the question i think for all of us not just candidates but for americans do we want to report the solution were continued to be part of the problem. i've drawn a line and i recognize it's easier to take shots at somebody that tries to be part of the solution and offer no solutions of your own but the truth is that the system

is never, ever going to change unless somebody steps up and tries to change it. that's what i'm doing in the course of the campaign and i should tell you that comes at the considerable expense we are asking people to stand up instead and the good news is more than 15,000 people should. more than every other congressional challenger in america we appreciate both of you staying on time and abiding by the rules you agreed to earlier. we are not going to go into a short answer question. some of them a call for a little bit more extrapolation. succumbing you should know when you hear it so let's get going. >> moderator: what single issue does congress spend too much energy arguing about mr. romanoff? romanoff: congress has nothing to argue look at the truth is if the congress would simply do its job, balance the budget comes off the problem can't pass the bill were even live under the rules that it imposes and the rest of the country i think that we would would have a lot more confidence on the american people.

>> moderator: is there an issue that you think is overhyped? romanoff: congress is a great deal of time deciding who should get the credit. it's amazing how much work you can get it done if you don't care who gets the credit. >> moderator: what is the issue, congressman romanoff, that congress spends too much time talking about is not a real issue? romanoff: certainly naming post offices. but i think that when we focus across the aisle on finding solutions. i'm proud of my record on veterans issues and making sure that we honor the obligations to the the veterans on the armed services committee and the small businesses. so i bring that back round to the congress and i've been able to get things done. >> moderator: i was kind of a meaty first round so we will do better with the questions and you'll do better on the answers. congressman can you name a democrat you voted for? coffman: democrat i voted for? i think i was a tenant in the

united states marine corps overseas i voted for anderson for president. i can't remember the first name. okay. a republican that you voted for? when was the last time you fired a gun and the gun and can you tell us what kind? romanoff: we had rifle practice. >> moderator: mr. coffman? coffman: we had a 9-millimeter and the last time i think i fired a pistol at a practice range at around six months ago. in the role in our society i'm curious, congressman have you ever engaged in civil does obedience knowingly broken the

law to make a point? romanoff: i support those that have been a civil rights. >> moderator: mr. romanoff? romanoff: yes. >> moderator: i'm reading a book right now called the unwinding. and it traces the collapse of the institutions that strengthen the middle class. if you privatize social security i wrote a book in the course of the campaign reading but i read a book called the security of justice. >> moderator: mr. coffman? coffman: there was a book by the former secretary and then prior to that, let me think i

read so much every day but in terms it was an issue about the western civilization. >> moderator: to be fair, very busy man this time of year. should congress grants states like grant states like colorado a blanket exception from the law against marijuana within the borders? i'm a conservative when it comes to the constitution and of interstate commerce and although i didn't support or vote for the initiative as the representative for the state of colorado, i would be advocating for the position in terms of making sure that the federal law comport with state law. >> moderator: i preempted user, go ahead. >> moderator: coffman: they allow those that engage in the maryland sales and use the interstate banking

system. i was jumping a bit on the horse racing question. >> it would allow the casino style gambling -- gaming at the the parking of laura. do you support amendment number 68? mr. coffman? you cast yourself as a fiscal hawk and while you were in the state legislature dude is a choice to pass the balanced budget but when have you approved your desired g. as opposed to being supported by the law? romanoff: the were in favor of the automatic spending increases as required by the constitution. what i suggested was the constitution is not the best place to put the budget on the automatic increases in the

autopilot. that was a mistake i think that some folks on the left made. on my watch we watch we have delegates and republicans together. as you said, balancing the budget in colorado wasn't just a good idea. it's the law but it does require us to decisions. we were willing to mike the folks in congress to make those decisions without balancing the budget on the backs of the middle-class and this is the distinction in this race. the budget plan that the congressman supported would allow only an heiress loyal this tax breaks while forcing middle class families to pay more. hard to understand if you need to folks in the district who are struggling by tb leaves the middle class families are not paying enough and millionaires need to pay less. >> it's the same campaign that you ran against no exception. still the same candidate. it takes courage to balance the budget in washington, d.c.. and so i've cast some tough votes to do so. this is a nation of $17 trillion of debt and its unsustainable

and it takes courage to make the cuts in the budget and i think that it is absolutely gutless for you to say that you are for the balanced budget and then not show a test if you're going to get there. the best answer but you have is i'm going to strengthen the irs. if that is the best answer you don't show your homework and the fact is i voted for the balanced budget over the period of ten years for the modest cuts in the budget and you stole about every single one. it's absolutely gutless and you need the courage to step forward and talk about the programs. i would like to answer the question he posed at some point. this is a difference in the race and in my view the best way to balance the budget is to grow the economy and put more americans back to work every hundred billion dollar increase increase that we see in gdp generates another $12.6 billion in federal revenue we ought to

crack down on the tax evasion i don't know why you would want to let the corporations wealthiest individuals of america the drug companies in the state of the addition deeper discounts how do you get the rest of the way? it would save $45 billion over the next five years and that is the investment. the american corporations and individuals already zero allowing medicare to negotiate a pharmaceuticals and generate $155 million in savings over ten years. it would generate about $12.6 million for every hundred billion dollar increase. every solution you solution that involves my spending regulation and more taxes and for you to

fiscal conservatives it's not that far. all these words over and over again it doesn't make it true. it doesn't make you the accusations any more accusations anymore true or discourage people from voting. maybe that is the goal. the math works. what doesn't work his forces middle-class families to pay more into versus the seniors to pay thousands of dollars more per year in out-of-pocket dismantling medicare and it privatizes social security increases the cost of higher education. that is the wrong way to balance the budget and the wrong way to strengthen -- >> moderator: i want to move on. congressman coffman, the shutdown. you were praised for the leaders calling for a vote on a clean resolution allow the government to reopen but then you had an opportunity to join with the democrats to force such the vote and you chose not to. so come in the difference between a saying that you are for the bipartisanship in actually doing the hard work of the bipartisanship?

.. is the try to do too much and as a result doesn't do very many names very well, so i will give it to the state of colorado to make a decision. >> moderator: no opinion at all? mr. romanoff. romanoff: i suppo