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Congressional debate
Philosophy trumps partisanship in Congressional debate
by Kevin Cody
Mud slinging and muddy positions were notably absent. Instead, Steve Kuykendall, the Republican South Bay Congressional representative, and Democratic challenger Jane Harman put on a demonstration in civics and civility during a debate Saturday morning at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance.
The debate was moderated by Los Angeles Times columnist Patt Morrison, and sponsored by the American Association of Retired People (AARP).
"Jane and I worked together on many issues when she was a new congresswoman and I was a new Rancho Palos Verdes mayor," Kuykendall said in his closing remarks.
"This
was a great debate. My opponent and friend Steve Kuykendall handled himself
very well," Harman commented.
The most notable lesson from the debate was evidence that there really is a philosophical difference between Republicans and Democrats, at least in the South Bay.
On the war against drugs, Kuykendall said, "I don't want people using illegal drugs and will continue to fund programs to stop them. If we catch you, you should go to jail."
"There is treatment in prison," he said in expressing opposition to a California ballot measure calling for treatment rather than jail for drug offenders.
Harman, in commenting on the same subject, said, "We can't build enough prisons to house all of the next generation. I believe in maximum penalties for sellers. But we need to devote more resources to treating first-time offenders, to keep them out of prison."
Even on less contentious issues, such as education, the philosophical differences were significant.
Harman criticized Kuykendall for voting against federal funding for 100,000 new teachers.
"The fight
wasn't over money," Kuykendall responded. 'The Republicans and Democrats agreed
on the money. But do we let Washington, D.C., mandate that high schools hire
new teachers? Or do we let the local districts decided for themselves whether
to hire new teachers, train current teachers or upgrade facilities? Why take
flexibility away from the local districts? The biggest thing the federal government
can do for education is get out of the way," he said.
Harman disagreed.
"The federal government has a role in ensuring that every child has access to a decent education. When I represented the district, I assisted Torrance in its school bond effort. The Clinton administration has done a great deal to assist higher education."
Philosophical differences also dictated the candidates' approaches to exclusively local issues, such as the Ballona Wetlands/Playa Vista development.
"I won't try to overrule a city council on how to develop its city," Kuykendall said. His comment came in response to an audience member's request for help in obtaining federal funds to purchase the 1,087-acre site between Marina Del Rey and Westchester for preservation as open space.
Harman said the Federal Environmental Protection Agency could play a role in regulating the pollution and traffic congestion the development is allowed to produce. And she said, "I don't support further development until we try to purchase the wetlands as a park." But she also said the development's already approved phase one should be allowed to proceed.
Philosophical differences notwithstanding, the candidates' goals, if not their approaches, were consistent on most major, national issues. Both expressed support for continued research on a national missile defense system. Both supported using the federal budget surplus to pay down the national debt, though Harman would set more of the surplus aside for social programs than would Kuykendall. Both said Medicare should cover prescription drugs. And both said the country needs a new energy policy to reduce the nation's dependency on fossil fuel.
The one issue neither candidate took a clear position on was the proposed expansion of LAX.
Kuykendall described the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as "the most mind-numbing organization I've ever been around."
Harman said, "If I'm on the House Transportation Committee, I'll stop funding of the FAA if they aren't responsive."
As for the expansion, Kuykendall said, "The Air Space Utilization Plan and the EIRs all need to be done before we decided on a plan. We have to deal with it regionally."
Harmon said, "I oppose doubling the size of LAX. It can't grow that much. There needs to be a regional solution."
The final question asked the candidates was what they would do to reduce Congress's partisan politics.
Kuykendall answered by quoting his opponent's statement when she relinquished the House seat two years ago to run for governor.
"Harmon said she wouldn't miss the food or the partisanship," the incumbent said. He added, "I get up every day and think how can I help the district and the nation, and not how can I help the party."
"The paradigm," Harman said, "is win - lose. We need to change not just the management, but the culture. If we continue with partisanship, we won't get solutions to Social Security and medical care." ER