Kevin Zeese in Maryland 2006 3-way Senate Debate

On Abortion: Fund both adult and embryonic stem-cell research

STEELE: I am four-square for stem-cell research, and accelerating the funding, with respect to cord blood and adult stem cell research. But I draw the line at embryonic research because I respect the life that that embryo represents.

ZEESE: I agree with the need for adult stem-cell research because I think science may find that mature cells are better than embryonic. But I also support embryonic, because we need to move forward, and avoid this phony divide. But I am concerned this may be one more corporate boondoggle. We already provide more than $300 billion in corporate welfare to wealthy companies. If we’re going to provide funding for stem-cell research, then taxpayers should be treated as investors and should profit from that research.

CARDIN: Most stem-cell research is done by universities, with the support of NIH. Embryonic stem-cell research holds promise not only for stopping the deterioration for diseases, but for reversing it.

On Health Care: Politicians oppose single-payer because of big pharma money

CARDIN: You know that I’ve introduced legislation to take on the pharmaceutical companies.

ZEESE: Yes, after you voted the wrong way, to not allow less expensive pharmaceuticals into the country.

CARDIN: My bill would reduce the cost of pharmaceutical products by about 2/3rds, using market forces to bring down costs. I’ve taken on the insurance companies. I want Canadians coming to America to buy drugs. Take a look at what I’ve been able to accomplish, and who has stood up to these interests.

On Principles & Values: Both Cardin & Steele are hand-selected & won’t change things

CARDIN: Yes. We need to change the agenda-setters. I stood up for change in Washington. I took on the President when he was wrong. I’ve worked across party lines. But we need to change the direction.

STEELE: For Ben Cardin to say he’s a change agent is laughable. He’s been in Congress for 20 years. To all of a sudden say you’re interested in change is just not believable. Where’s the voice been? Where’s the voice on transportation, on health care? These voices I have not heard. Now to say that you’re for changing the system, when you’ve been part of the system that gave us these problems, is laughable.

CARDIN: I’m proud of my record in Congress. Proud of the changes I’ve made in Medicare & the retirement system.

ZEESE: I think both of you are right. You’re both selected by your party leadership. You’re both in bed with the special interests. And you’re both not going to bring change to Washington. The voters need to know that.

On Principles & Values: Represents three parties & the people, not moneyed interests

ZEESE: More than my colleagues combined!

Q: Even where people agree with you, how does that translate into the way our country is governed today?

ZEESE: The big problem with our country’s governance is that we’re more governed by the special interests than the people’s interests. I’ve worked on issue after issue where we can have majority support, we can have facts on our side, but we still get ignored as the people. Because the politicians are listening to the money first. This election is indeed about change - and I’m the only candidate who’s a change. Mr. Cardin has been in office for 40 years; Mr. Steele has been the chair of the Republican Party. These are insiders. I’m the only one not in bed with the special interests. I’m not taking special interest money. I’m not out to be bought by anybody.

On War & Peace: Cardin voted against war, then became wrong, wrong, wrong

CARDIN: I voted against the war four years ago and I’ve been a critic of the president ever since. Yes, I’m going to support the appropriations bill so our troops are safe, with the body armor and equipment they need. .Would you have voted for war four years ago?

STEELE: Yes, I would have authorized the use of force, to deal with the terror that was there.

ZEESE: You guys are both wrong on the war. We’ve got to get out of Iraq rapidly & responsibly, or we’re going to get out in chaos. Mr. Cardin, you have not done much on this issue. After your first vote, you’ve been wrong, wrong, wrong. You voted against an exit strategy. You voted to stay the course. You voted for $320 billion for permanent bases.

CARDIN: I voted against the permanent bases. Check the record.

ZEESE: I did check the record. You voted for it [in a package bill].