8:39 Much applause. It's over. A good debate, with clear distinctions between the candidates.
8:36 Walz looks straight at the audience. He says he's there to work for everyone. He reviews his record.
8 :34 Closing statements. Davis reads a statement--litany of endorsements (did someone say somewhere that he didn't have any?). The rest is the same statement from Rochester.
8:30 Another energy question about bridling oil companies that receive subsidies? Walz wants referees. Davis wants experts to decide energy policy. Walz will going to DC to have commodty hearings. DM & E spat.
8:26 Health care cost? Davis expounds on the perceived failures of the Massachusetts system. Walz talks about the right for health health. He knows the cost effectiveness of mandates in health insurance . Davis says elect a doctor--his vice has gotten low and rapid. Odd.
Walz notes how pro-active the Mayo clinic has been in getting more people covered. He agrees with the standards Mayo used.
8:21 No Child Left Behind? Walz takes it--only teacher in Congress to have taught under NCLB. He thinks the accountability is good, but the focus on one system of measuring and punitive measures if standards aren't met.
Davis wants NCLB abolished. Primary responsibility for education is with the parent. Public schools need more discipline. Local control is good--Ronald Reagan wanted to abolish the Department of Education.
Walz supports early childhood education.
Davis wants local school district to have God in the classroom.He supports cvouchers.
8:14 The next question is about making college more affordable. The availability of subsidies of education is what drove college prices up. He saved and took out loans. Sustain public colleges to provide affordable higher education.
Walz says we need to expand education. He notes the old balance of higher grants ration to loan ratio--and the shift to a loan-based system. Davis praises the American higher education system. No cutting back on benefits but not sure how to fix in, but system should be public and private.
8:08 The first audience question is about Social Security. Walz says that the current system can be fixed; he opposes voluntary privatization.
Davis supports partial and optional privatization. He's ticked about Walz's ad.
Walz doesn't think Social Securiity can be partial privatized. It's too risky; the current system can be fixed.
Davis whines again about the ad.
8:03 How do you define national interest in regard to foreign policy and intervention? Davis wants more caution. Walz says it should be based on sovereignty. The military should have a clear mission.
Davis talks about threats from Russia and China but wants to reach a hand out to them to work work together. Walz talks about promoting co-operation.
7:58 The next questions is about what lessons we have learned from the War in Iraq and the Bush Doctrine? Walz takes the question. He says that ideology drove military strategy--we should trust the military. Walz talks about the need to trust the military.
Davis says the preps of 9-11 died on 9-11 or have died since. He defends the surge. He talks about the need for the Iraqs to have a referendum to decide whether we sould leave.
Walz says that no foreign country to decide our foreign policy. Davis getting into a series of mirror question
7:51 A question is asking about conservation. Davis takes the question first. His explains why he is against CAFE standards. He believes it is a form of rationing It's not the role of government.
Walz rebuts the by supporting conservation and CAFE standards. It's not just an energy issue, but also a national security issues. The standards will give us time to work on the next generation of fuels including renewables.
Davis says price is a better means of determining what course conservation should take.
Walz rebuts by noting the changes Congress is now trying to achieve.
7:45 The next question is about high gas prices and whether the recent drop in prices has taken off the pressure. Walz says that the spike brought home the need for a cogent energy policy. He notes his work on the bipartisan energy working group.
Davis calls HR 6709 political cover and takes after Walz on drilling. His voice rises. He wants to listen to the engineers and energy industry. He sounds angry; mentions his own background (all eght months of it after graduation). We can't transition away from fossil fuels.
Walz says that the last time we listened only to the petroleum industry , we ended up with the situation we're in. Davis rebuts by bringing up the adjournment--he mentioned says that the oil industry can't work together. Some of the audience laughs at him. They are chastised.
7:38 The candidates are asked if they now anybody without health insurance or having trouble paying their bills. Davis tells a story of a young person who wants to work on his campaign. He knows how illegal immigrants get health care can use the emergency room.
Walz notes that Davis's attitude is like Bush's: go to an emergency room if you don't have health care insurance. He talks about those he knows without health care: single mothers; Priority 9 vets, etc. He notes Davis's objections to state regulation of health insurance. Walz says health care is a right
Davis explains his objection to mandates. Walz goes on the offensive about his support of the Mayo Clinic's health care policy.
7:31 The next question is about the bailout. Since European countries are following the American lead, are the two candidates wrong in their opposition to the bill?
Walz talks about the need for referees and the need for regulation.
Davis agrees with Walz about some of the things he says. Now he's going after the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bailout. We'll have to fact check this--but some of what he's saying doesn't stand up.
Walz notes that there plenty of blame to go around, but it's the lack of referees. Davis challenges Walz vote. Walz uses some of Davis's time--at Davis's invitation--to address the question of "gotcha votes."
7:24 Walz talks about the need to raise wages along with productivity. He's talking really fast. He wants fair trade. Policies should prompt growth.
Davis wants a better business climate, he says in rebuttal. He doesn't want much regulation.
Walz wants fair trade. He wants to shift some of the tax burden away from the middle calss.
7: 20 The first question is about the economy. The background question is very long and we recommend that readers review the MPR audio that will be archived at Minnesota Public Radio.
Davis agrees that there is an economic downturn is not crisis. He attributes it to energy costsand the need to return to low energy prices. He's not confident that alternative fuels will replace fossil fuels.
He goes after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
7:16 Walz talks about the division between politics and governing. He notes that the American system is designed for ordinary people to govern, rather than the wealthy. He talks about his legislative accomplishments.
7:14 Brian Davis is giving his opening statement. He is running because he is concerned about liberal leadership. He's giving his standard stump speech about his daughter not voting for him. His supporters laugh.
7:10 Joe Spear and Jim Ragsdale will moderate.
7:07 Sheila Kiscaden is introducing the debate and explaining Debate Minnesota's commitment to civility. The house is packed.
6:40 We had a chance to talk to former Senator Sheila Kiscaden , about the sudden death of Gene Lourey. Kiscaden and Becky Lourey formed a strong sister-like bond in the Legislature. She says that Gene's visitation will be on Thursday from 3-7 p.m.
The Pine Journal has more:
A public visitation and time to visit with the Lourey family is planned
for 3-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Nemadji Research Corporation building
in Bruno, Benzie-Lourey said. The company occupies a former school
building in the small town, located south of Kerrick, and the
visitation will be in the old gymnasium.
[this entry about Gene Lourey's visitation was edited for clarity]
6:39 The doors are open. The Davis people were loud and aggressive, but once in, they don't take up much room.
6:33 Some Davis supporters snuck in and are ejected. The Debate Minnesota folks are pretty determined for this to be on the level. Volunteers are still being briefed and the doors aren't open.
6:25 We're here at the Ballroom in MSU-Mankato waiting for the doors to open at 6:30. The horder of Walz staff, interns, volunteers,and supporters are downstairs at the pizza rally while outside a band of blue-shirted Davis supporters hover.
