US Senator Mary Landrieu and John Kennedy met for their first televised debate  Sunday night and while the exchange was cordial, it was a rehash of many of the policy positions that both candidates have sent out via email over the past few months.

John Kennedy depicted himself as a conservative in the mode of John McCain and Governor Bobby Jindal.   Throughout the debate, there were differences between the two candidates on subjects such as hurricane relief, healthcare, earmarks, a farm bill that failed in Congress, Iraq, and various federal issues.

Landrieu held herself as a proud Democrat who fought the Bush administration on money for Katrina and Rita victims, who crossed party lines, and who was the most moderate and centrist US Senator.  Kennedy constantly reminded the audience that she supported Barack Obama who Kennedy said has been cited as the most liberal candidate.  Landrieu said that the same report had cited Obama had also listed heras the most centrist US Senator.  .

Kennedy attempted to blame all of the Congressional problems on Mary Landrieu and not on the Republican Congress that held power for the critical year post-Hurricane Katrina or on President Bush.   Landrieu suggested that once the new Congress took power in an election two years ago, federal money began to flow to Louisiana. 

Kennedy also attempted to blame all of the problems of FEMA post-Katrina on Senator Landrieu since he said she heads up the subcommittee overseeing FEMA and its funding.  Landrieu said that she was proud of the work she did post-Katrina and that FEMA was a better entity during Gustav and Ike due to various efforts including her own.

On the issue of health care, Kennedy called Landrieu’s health care plan which has a bi-partisan agreement in the US Senate as "socialized medicine".   Landrieu ridiculed Kennedy using her campaign theme as a “confused politician” and said that her plan would actually make money and relied upon the free markets and would make money.  Kennedy said his plan was to allow tax credits for health care and to allow portability of the insurance.  Landrieu wants Americans to have the same coverage as do members of Congress.

Landrieu challenged Kennedy on his alleged opposition to a relief program for farmers that was defeated by Senator Coburn who Landrieu said was a financial supporter of John Kennedy.  Kennedy said he does not know who is right and who is wrong on the issue but that he said he supports the agricultural community.   The bill that died had the support of US Senaor David Vitter and Commissioner of Agriculture, Mike Strain.   Both are Republicans.

Kennedy continued to use slogans such as “Congress in broken”, that it is “in the ditch” and that if the public wants to reform Congress, the voters would support him over Landrieu.  Landrieu continued to blame President Bush and the Republican Congress post-Katrina but said as a centrist she would be working across party lines which is what both Barack Obama and John McCain said they would do, if elected. 

For those looking for memorable events to mark the winner or loser of the debate, both candidates were able to land punches although the biggest applause did go to Mary Landrieu.

Kennedy said, “ there were fundamental differences between Landrieu and him.  He said that if the public like the way things are going in Washington, then vote for Obama and Landrieu and the country would have the “same but on steroids”

Kennedy, whose mantra has been that McCain is “my type of guy” was treated to a zinger by Landrieu who implied that Kennedy has been trying to ride McCain’s coattails throughout the campaign but she said they were not long enough to help out Kennedy. 

The question of "earmarks" came up during the debate.  Kennedy has blasted the use of earmarks throughout his campaign.  During an interview with Bayoubuzz this summer, Kennedy said that he was against earmarks that were hidden which nobody knew about.  During the debate, Kennedy said  he was against wrong headed earmarks and listed various funding bills that would seem to not have much support of the American people.  Landrieu said she was proud of the money that was earmarked to help Louisiana post-Katrina.  The question came up when an audience member questioned how the universities would be funded but for special funding.  Kennedy said he was in favor of funding education and Landrieu said that she was proud to have been a part of the process to provide funding for the universities.  

The candidates have debated only twice during he campaign.  The vote will be held on the same day that America selects a President and members of Congress. 





 

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