Sheldon Whitehouse in 2012 Rhode Island Senate Debate
On Budget & Economy:
Grow the economy from the middle class out
Whitehouse said it was vital to grow the economy from the middle class out. He said he'd continue to focus on innovation, manufacturing and infrastructure to help revive the economy; pointing to federal funding for construction projects and a new crane
and pier at Quonset. "[The recovery's] been painfully slow," Whitehouse said. "That's why we need to do something that will create jobs. The easy thing is infrastructure. Rhode Island is one of the worst states in infrastructure."
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Education:
Extend "Race to the Top" to middle school
A moderator asked both candidates why they chose to send their children to private school. "I want the best education that I could get for them," said Whitehouse, who then touted efforts, like Race to the Top, which aim to improve public education.
He said the next step should be extending those programs to middle school.Hinckley, who sends his children to
Parochial school, said it was important to him that his children be raised in faith. He then pointed out that many families can't afford to send their children to private school and are stuck with failing schools.
He proposed giving a grant to every family in Rhode Island, so parents can choose which schools they send their children.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Foreign Policy:
Traditional internationalist and support of Israel
Hinckley sounded an isolationist note by arguing for reduced foreign aid to hostile governments and a less robust American military presence abroad. Whitehouse countered with a traditional internationalist argument, citing
Republicans who disagree with Hinckley and suggesting his proposals could damage Israel. Whitehouse also had a good moment when he was asked about the recent attack in Libya and pivoted to recall the dangers his own father faced as a career diplomat.
Source: Examiner.com on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Government Reform:
Overturn Citizens United; it undid 100 years of regulations
The moderator asked which Supreme Court ruling they would like to overturn. Hinckley said he was unhappy with the decision by Chief Justice John Roberts to not overturn the healthcare mandate included in President Obama's healthcare plan.
Whitehouse said he would like to overturn the Citizens United decision, which held that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions. "That ruling overturned
100 years of regulation in the elections world and unleashed billionaires and foreign corporations to have influence on our elections," Whitehouse said. "It's a prescription for scandal and disaster.
When asked who their favorite justices were, Hinckley said Clarence Thomas, Whitehouse said Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Social Security:
Protect and defend Social Security
Whitehouse, who is seeking his second term in the Senate, cited his work to help constituents, to work with both parties in the Senate and protect federal programs like
Social Security from proposals to reduce benefits or change eligibility. "I am going to protect and defend Social Security," Whitehouse said. "Life without (it) would be unimaginably worse for seniors and for younger people."
Source: Boston Globe on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Social Security:
Life without Social Security would be unimaginably worse
A voter asked why he didn't fight on behalf of retirees against Rhode Island's pension reforms, but still promises to fight for Social Security. While Whitehouse said Rhode Island leaders came up with a solution that was necessary, he said, unlike
pension reform, Social Security is in his authority. "It is my commitment that I am going to protect Social Security. Life without it would be unimaginably worse for seniors and young people," Whitehouse said.Hinckley countered, saying
Democrats have no plan to save Social Security. "Ask yourself, is that fair, to pay into a pension system managed by the government and then get nothing," said Hinckley, who proposed hiring actuaries to bring the system in line. "The problem with
Social Security, it's managed by career politicians and not professionals."
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Tax Reform:
Tax code is broken, but flat tax is a lousy idea
When it came to taxes, both men agreed the Country's tax code was broken. However, they differed on how to go about fixing it. "Our tax system is a nightmare right now. CVS pays a full 35 percent tax rate. But, companies like Carnival Cruises pay zero.
It makes no sense," Whitehouse said. "We need a fairer and simpler tax code, but it can't put more of a burden on the middle class."When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a
new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."
Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for
nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Tax Reform:
$2T in new revenues, and $2T in cuts, to balance budget
Whitehouse slammed the debt reduction plan proposed in the House by Vice Presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan. "The Ryan budget is disastrous," said Whitehouse, who maintained it balanced the budget on the backs of middle-class
Americans, while shielding the rich. When asked what measures he would support, Whitehouse said eliminating $4 trillion over the next 10 years; with $2 trillion in cuts and $2 trillion in revenues, or tax increases. "Republicans have not identified one
single loophole in the tax code they would get rid of," Whitehouse said.Hinckley then criticized Whitehouse for being partisan. "How do you come to the middle when you vote with your leadership 96% of the time. If you don't like it, mark it up and
send it back. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation." Hinckley then criticized the Bush and Obama administrations, calling them both "train wrecks." "My children are going to have to pay this back," he said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Technology:
Create new infrastructure to renew economy
Hinckley favors cutting the business tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent. Senator Whitehouse blamed the Bush administration for the economic situation that Rhode Islanders face. He favored innovation, manufacturing and creating new
infrastructure as key ways to renew Rhode Island's economic landscape. The senator vowed if he was re-elected, Rhode Island's unemployment rate could drop to around six percent at the end of his second term.
Source: Examiner.com on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018