Virginia's fifth district congressional race heated up Wednesday with the first in a series of debates between candidates. The debate addressed subjects such as the economy, health care legislation and Don't Ask Don't Tell policies.
Incumbent Tom Perriello, D-Charlottesville, and his Republican challenger, State Sen. Robert Hurt, met at the WSLS-TV studio in Roanoke primarily to address economic issues that have risen to the forefront of voters' minds in recent weeks.
"The key issue with this race, as well as many races across the country, is the economy and jobs, especially because this district has been hit so hard," said Isaac Wood, communications director for the University's Center for Politics and a former Cavalier Daily opinion columnist.
The candidates agreed on the need for a balanced budget in Washington but differed on methods to achieve it. While Hurt advocates a balanced budget amendment and health care reform as chief methods to address the deficit, Perriello favors a strategy with a wider scope in which "everything is on the table," including entitlements and defense spending.
The candidates also discussed health care reform in depth. Hurt strongly supported a repeal of the Democrats' health care reform bill passed earlier this year.
"The health care bill increased premiums. It didn't reduce them," Hurt said. He encouraged "market-oriented solutions" as an alternative way to reduce health care costs.
Perriello countered by asserting that Hurt had supported plans that raised the deficit by billions and, in one of the more heated moments of the debate, criticized Hurt for not having read the text of the health care bill.
Both candidates were briefly asked to discuss their views on the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy that prohibits homosexuals from openly serving in the military and was struck down Tuesday in U.S. District Court. Both candidates agreed that the matter should be left to the military to decide.
Moderator Jay Warren concluded the debate by challenging each candidate to select one specific government program they would be willing to cut to alleviate the deficit. Perriello offered up corn ethanol programs, pointing to more modern developments in energy alternatives. Hurt refused to identify a specific program, favoring a reform of bureaucracy in Washington as a whole.
Wood noted that Hurt entered the debate with a slight lead in the polls, while Perriello was expected to "try and shake up the race." He also pointed out Tea Party candidate Jeff Clark's absence, as Hurt refused to participate in any such event that Clark may attend. No mention was made of Clark's absence throughout the debate.
Jessica Barba, communications director of the Perriello campaign, said in an e-mail that Perriello's goal throughout the night was to "[expose] the failure of Sen. Hurt's 10 years in office as a pawn for the special interests." Likewise, Hurt campaign spokesperson Amanda Henneberg said the state senator aimed to "provide voters with an even clearer picture between the two competing visions of Robert Hurt and Congressman Perriello," with regard to Perriello's "job-killing agenda."
The candidates will square off again Oct. 25 in Charlottesville, at a debate sponsored by Student Council.
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