Sharron Angle in 2010 NV Senate Debates


On Government Reform: In state legislature, sole No vote called "41 to Angle"

In Las Vegas on Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faced his challenger, Republican Sharron Angle, in the only debate of the campaign.

Reid is in the fight of his career as he seeks a fifth term. Angle, a former state legislator, has the momentum of a come-from-behind primary victory and the support of the Tea Party.

Angle was famous as a state legislator for voting "no" so often that votes in the assembly were described as "41 to Angle."

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Health Care: No medical conditions where coverage should be mandated

Health care was a primary point of discussion throughout the debate and Reid accused Angle--who conceded she does not believe there are any medical conditions for which there should be any government-mandated health coverage--of holding "very extreme" views.

"My opponent doesn't like any insurance companies to have to do anything," Reid said, emphasizing the candidate's opposition to funding for mammograms and colonoscopies.

"America is a country of choices, not forcing people to buy things that they don't need," Angle said of so-called "Obamacare," invoking a theme she cited frequently throughout the night. "The solution is simple: We need to get the government out."

"Insurance companies don't do things out of the goodness of their hearts. They do it out of a profit motive and they have almost destroyed our economy," Reid fired back.

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Health Care: We're a country of choice; don't force people into insurance

Angle brought up the health care overhaul that Reid shepherded through the Senate. She said "ObamaCare" would destroy Medicare in particular and the health care system in general. "America is a country of choices--not forcing people to buy things that they don't need," Angle said.

Reid countered, "We had to do health insurance reform to remain competitive in the world economy. And it creates jobs--thousands and thousands of jobs," Reid added.

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Immigration: Solution is simple: secure the borders, enforce the laws

The candidates also differed on immigration, with Reid calling for "comprehensive reform" and Angle condemning his opposition to Arizona's controversial immigration legislation that was passed earlier this year.

"What we have here is an illegal alien problem and the solution is simple: secure the borders, enforce the laws," Angle said. "We should be supporting Arizona."

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Jobs: It's not a Senator's job to create jobs

Angle hammered Reid over a legislator's role in generating economic growth. "Once again, Harry Reid: It's not your job to create jobs," she said, after the moderator asked both candidates if job creation was part of a Senator's job description.

On economic issues, Angle reiterated her belief that job creation does not fall under the job description of a U.S. Senator, arguing. "It's your job to create policies that create the confidence for the private sector to create those jobs."

"That'd be a no?" the moderator prompted, pushing for a firm yes or no answer to his question.

"I believe my job is to create the policies that will encourage private sector to do what they do best," she responded. "We need to get back to work," Angle said. "The way we do that is by encouraging the private sector to do what they do best. [Employers] are in a cloud of uncertainty & they're holding back $2 trillion that they would like to invest in jobs. They have lost confidence because of things like Obamacare."

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Jobs: No, I don't think the unemployed are spoiled

Both candidates had to answer for controversial remarks they've made in the past. Angle was asked whether she really thinks jobless Americans have been "spoiled" by unemployment benefits. "No, I don't think that our unemployed are spoiled," she said, "and that was totally mischaracterized by my opponent," which has become Angle's standard response when questioned about past statements.

But Reid, too, is known for making strange remarks. Angle tried to score by reminding the debate audience that Reid had once said the Iraq war had been lost. "That emboldened our enemies, demoralized our troops and endangered them, and you need to apologize to them, Senator," Angle chided. Reid countered with the many things he's done for veterans and his endorsement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Principles & Values: I live in middle-class Reno; Reid lives in DC's Ritz-Carlton

Angle's rap on Reid is that he's a creature of big-government Washington, out of touch with average Nevadans.

"Senator Reid has been a politician for over 30 years," Angle began. "I live in a middle-class neighborhood in Reno, Nevada. Senator Reid live in the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C."

That might particularly rankle Nevadans who now suffer with the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the country.

But Reid, the son of a miner, tried to show he knew what it was like to suffer through tough times--like when he was growing up in the tiny town of Searchlight. Lean times sound different in Nevada than they do in other parts of the country, though.

"Times were tough. The mines weren't doing well at all. My mom took in wash from the brothels in Searchlight so I have some idea of what it's like to struggle," Reid said.

If you'd decided to play a drinking game and take a swig every time Reid called his opponent extreme, you'd have quite the hangover this morning.

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Social Security: Personalize Social Security; not privatize

During the primary, she said Social Security and Medicare should be phased out and privatized. Now she only says she wants to personalize Social Security.

But Reid wouldn't let her off the hook: "Now she talks about, and has for years talked about, getting rid of Social Security. For years. Look what would have happened had we put this money in the stock market as was suggested by President Bush. This is an extreme idea, and it will destroy Social Security."

Source: NPR Morning Edition coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Tax Reform: Extend the Bush-era tax cuts, or it's a tax increase

Angle pushed for extension of the Bush-era tax cuts, arguing that if they were not made permanent "we will experience the largest tax increase in the history of America."

"I personally am not in favor of giving billionaires tax cuts," Reid responded, before guaranteeing that he would not support an increase in taxes for middle class Americans.

Source: CBS News coverage of 2010 Nevada Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

The above quotations are from 2010 Nevada Senate Debates.
Click here for other excerpts from 2010 Nevada Senate Debates.
Click here for other excerpts by Sharron Angle.
Click here for a profile of Sharron Angle.
Sharron Angle on other issues:
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Jobs
Principles
Social Security
Tax Reform
Technology
War/Peace
Welfare
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Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018