Culver, Nussle clash over social issues
Gubernatorial candidates asked why campaign is so negative
By Dan Gearino Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Tuesday, October 03, 2006
DES MOINES -- Candidates for Iowa governor traded shots Monday night at a debate that began with a question about why the campaign is so negative.
Secretary of State Chet Culver, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle, a Republican, met in Cedar Rapids for the first of four debates, as polls show the race is a dead heat.
Culver said he's trying to run a positive campaign, but is obligated to respond to unfair attacks. Nussle scoffed at that idea and said Culver has run plenty of negative advertisements.
The greatest clash was over social issues like abortion and stem-cell research. Culver wants to keep abortion legal and encourage embryonic stem-cell research. Nussle wants to ban abortion and opposes research that involves the destruction of human embryos.
"I am with the mainstream in this state," Culver said about his abortion stance, which he said is a stark contrast with Nussle's "extreme position."
Nussle replied, "I do not have an extreme position unless you believe that it's extreme to protect unborn life."
Culver made repeated attempts to tie Nussle to the federal budget deficit and the national Republican Party. Nussle is chairman of the House Budget Committee.
"People will hold on to their wallets as long as you're around," Culver said.
Nussle argued that Culver's policy proposals would continue a trend of high taxes and an unfriendly business climate. "Politicians don't need more of your taxes," Nussle said.
Culver brought up Mark Foley, the GOP congressman from Florida who abruptly resigned last week after evidence surfaced that he had sent sexually inappropriate e-mails to underage male pages. "I hope Congressman Nussle takes some time to explain how outraged he is about this," Culver said.
Nussle said he has experience as a county attorney prosecuting "people like Mark Foley" and believes Foley should be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
On a personal note, Nussle said his greatest hero is his stepfather, who was in the audience. Culver said his greatest heroes are his parents. His father is former U.S. Sen. John Culver.
The hour-long debate, broadcast statewide from Kirkwood CommunityCollege in Cedar Rapids, was sponsored by The Gazette of Cedar Rapids and KCRG television.
The other debates before the Nov. 7 election are Oct. 12 in Des Moines, Oct. 16 in Davenport and Oct. 21 in Johnston.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
Secretary of State Chet Culver, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle, a Republican, met in Cedar Rapids for the first of four debates, as polls show the race is a dead heat.
Culver said he's trying to run a positive campaign, but is obligated to respond to unfair attacks. Nussle scoffed at that idea and said Culver has run plenty of negative advertisements.
The greatest clash was over social issues like abortion and stem-cell research. Culver wants to keep abortion legal and encourage embryonic stem-cell research. Nussle wants to ban abortion and opposes research that involves the destruction of human embryos.
"I am with the mainstream in this state," Culver said about his abortion stance, which he said is a stark contrast with Nussle's "extreme position."
Nussle replied, "I do not have an extreme position unless you believe that it's extreme to protect unborn life."
Culver made repeated attempts to tie Nussle to the federal budget deficit and the national Republican Party. Nussle is chairman of the House Budget Committee.
"People will hold on to their wallets as long as you're around," Culver said.
Nussle argued that Culver's policy proposals would continue a trend of high taxes and an unfriendly business climate. "Politicians don't need more of your taxes," Nussle said.
Culver brought up Mark Foley, the GOP congressman from Florida who abruptly resigned last week after evidence surfaced that he had sent sexually inappropriate e-mails to underage male pages. "I hope Congressman Nussle takes some time to explain how outraged he is about this," Culver said.
Nussle said he has experience as a county attorney prosecuting "people like Mark Foley" and believes Foley should be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
On a personal note, Nussle said his greatest hero is his stepfather, who was in the audience. Culver said his greatest heroes are his parents. His father is former U.S. Sen. John Culver.
The hour-long debate, broadcast statewide from Kirkwood CommunityCollege in Cedar Rapids, was sponsored by The Gazette of Cedar Rapids and KCRG television.
The other debates before the Nov. 7 election are Oct. 12 in Des Moines, Oct. 16 in Davenport and Oct. 21 in Johnston.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
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