Last GOP Senate Primary Debate: Brunner, Steelman and Akin Spar
Republican candidates talked about the economy, health care and Mitt Romney Friday night at Washington University in St. Louis.
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With just over a month until voters determine which Republican will take on U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in November, the trio of top GOP contenders sparred Friday night in a debate seen across the state of Missouri.
The debate, featuring U.S. Representative Todd Akin (R-Wildwood), Frontenac Businessman John Brunner and former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, was held at Washington University's Edison Theater and carried by KMOV-TV in St. Louis and KCTV-TV in Kansas City.
Steelman, speaking second in the debate's opening statements after Brunner, was the first to mention McCaskill and President Barack Obama by name, making not-so-subtle jabs at the Senator's foibles in recent years with private aircraft and tax issues.
Questions came from social media outlets like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter and were augmented by KMOV anchor Larry Connors and KCTV's Brad Stephens.
Middle Class
The candidates largely stuck to their campaign themes of limiting the size of government, cutting spending and reducing taxes. When Connors pressed the candidates on how they stacked up compared to "the middle class", Brunner, the wealthy businessman, spoke of driving forklifts at plants and living without a refrigerator. Steelman talked of starting her own businesses, while Rep. Akin spoke of changing his own car oil and his time as an IBM engineer.
Romney Support
Rep. Akin: "I'm going to wait and see what he does," Akin said in speaking of a potential Romney Presidential administration. He pointed to his opposition to Bush era programs like 'No Child Left Behind' and the government bailout of the banking industry.
Brunner: "Mitt Romney is conservative enough for me," he said, and as the Associated Press reported, "just the kind of leader we need right now."
Steelman did not directly address her support for the Republican Presidential nominee.
Charlie Dooley
The Democratic St. Louis County Executive became a topic during the debate, when Steelman criticized Brunner's financial support of Dooley's past campaigns, as well as Akin's. Brunner said he supported Dooley as a friend.
Supporting The Nominee
Each candidate said they would support whoever emerged victorious on August 7. Steelman was pressed on the question given what observers saw as less than a full-throated endorsement after her failed primary bid against former U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof in the 2008 gubernatorial race. Steelman countered Friday by saying she didn't do it in the way "party establishment" leaders wanted.
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jujubeebee
7:28 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Akin won the debate. Bruner's "I worked in my life" banter is getting annoying. Akin is a true conservative and no one can take that from him. His voting record proves it.
He is the only one with the experience to dismantle obamacare which should be the number one issue (even over jobs because it will negatively affect jobs once it is in full implementation). There is always alot of hot air with politicians and one should go with the proven conservative. Akin is too nice and classy to smear his opponents but I hope that others can and do see him as the best person for the job because he is. He can balance a checkbook just like Sarah. Bruner is not in a position to actually create jobs because in politics you can only create the environment to do so. Akin's voting record should stand for more than other people's promises. We have had enough rhetoric. We need someone with proven experience and a true conservative to dismantle obamacare!
flyoverland
9:43 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
It is time to vote out the professional political class. They had their turn. Look where we are. At least Bruner isn't going to be lured by lobbyists promising to make him rich. He's already been there and done that and found, like most of us who've done it, that it doesn't make you happy. That's why he wants to make a difference. When one guy has been there and done nothing to speak of, its time to give someone else a chance. Same thing with Obama. He had his chance.
James Baer
9:58 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
That's wrong. A Republican House has willfully blocked all of his legislation to help bring the economy back from the brink and everyone knows that. November is going to be very said for Republicans as Obama wins re-election and Nancy Pelosi becomes Speaker of the House again. The minority groups in this country, African-Americans, Latinos and yes women are going to make this happen. Mark my words.
flyoverland
4:56 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
So, you are saying he didn't have his chance? He did, so did Pelosi. They failed to sell their vision because nobody believed it because it was so blatantly stupid. Obama's budget proposal last year failed in the Senate 99-0 and that is controlled by the Democrats. That is not leadership. That's a rookie league ideologue. If Obama was an effective leader, the people would have made the Republicans support it, just like Reagan forced the Democrats to support him. Obama is in way over his head and he is pulling the country down with him. People are going to vote for jobs instead of glitz this time.