By Sarah Carlson, Copy Editor
Social Security, agriculture, Dyess Air Force Base and disaster relief were a few of the topics debated between Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D.-Abilene, Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R.-Lubbock, and Dr. Richard Peterson, Libertarian, Thursday at the 19th Congressional District Issues Forum and Debate at McMurry University.
“I believe you the voters are presented with a very clear choice in this election,” Neugebauer said at the beginning of the debate, adding that this election is not about the past but about the future. “If you believe that President Bush should continue to be our commander in chief and that we should not relegate our national security to NATO and that terrorism is a weapon of mass destruction, then vote for George Bush and Randy Neugebauer.”
The 19th District is one of only two House races where incumbents are pitted against each other after Texas redistricting last year.
Stenholm said in the debates that his 26-year experience in Congress and ranking-member status on the agriculture committee make him the best candidate for the district.
“We’ve got a tremendous amount of challenges and responsibilities ahead of us, and redistricting didn’t help,” Stenholm said.
Both candidates said afterward they feel it is important for students and those in the 18-to-24-year-old demographic to vote in this election.
“I think the way [young people] have a voice and input … is by going out and voting, getting to know the issues and getting to know where the candidates stand on the issues-that’s very important,” Neugebauer said.
He said he is the best candidate for students to vote for because he is an effective problem-solver and knows how to create jobs for young people. Stenholm said he is the best candidate for students because of his stance on Social Security that reduces unfunded liability.
“Well, as you’ve heard many times people saying this is one of the most important elections in the history of our country, I happen to agree with that,” Stenholm said.
“We’re talking about the 18-to-24-year-olds that are going to have your future planned for you by the next three congresses, and you have an excellent chance to listen and to look and to see who you think will best represent your values and the direction you think this country should go. The best way to do that is to educate yourself on what the real differences are and then to make up your mind on which candidate you believe will do a better job.”
