BOUCHARD: She’s ranked the #1 biggest spending Senator. It’s a real problem. If a Republican’s going to waste your money, I’m gonna kick it hard. We need line-item veto, her amendments and votes belie the fact that she’s a big spender.
STABENOW: When I came in 2001, we had a surplus, now we have a deficit. The reality is hundreds of billions of dollars in tax subsidies for fuel companies - Halliburton - no bid contracts - this has to stop.
BOUCHARD: Yes, there’s conflicting reports. We could be in a position to lead away from fossil fuels. She filibustered the comprehensive energy package in Congress. We need someone who will lead on that - she hasn’t. She has only one bill authored -- to rename a federal building. I wrote legislation to close incinerators while in the S state Senate.
STABENOW: Global Warming is real and I’m focused on solving it. I cite nineteen provisions which I authored, many bi-partisan. Global Warming is too important for partisan politics. I supported the energy bill from two years ago -- it created real energy boom in Michigan. We have strong agriculture, and ability to tell world to buy fuel here in Michigan instead of Middle East.
STABENOW: I authored the first ban on Great Lakes drilling. You can’t live here and not love the Great Lakes. We have a serious set of issues on our hands -- we’re tackling a 10 year plan to protect endangered species.
BOUCHARD: Water diversion shouldn’t happen. We need to protect that. We don’t need a lot of money to protect against carp - only $20M. We need someone who will actually get something done to get results.
STABENOW: Healthcare coverage needs to be a right, not a privilege. I’ve been laser focused on working with auto industry to more adequately and effectively to lower costs of prescription drugs. I’ve worked bi-partisan to allow you to bring prescription drugs back from Canada legally.
BOUCHARD: I do not support universal healthcare that the government. But we can and should do many things - such as tort reform.
BOUCHARD: We need to keep our state safe. We can’t give up basic rights to stay safe. I have very big differences than her. I’m a member of the joint terrorism task force with the FBI - what can I do personally to mitigate and respond to the need. There’s a list of things that they need to do and fix.
STABENOW: I’m a member of the Banking Committee that tracks money of terrorists. There is a critical balance between what it takes to stay safe and keep our rights. I’m proud of having the Detroit Regional Chamber’s endorsement because of protecting businesses in Michigan. I’m championing an effort with Congressional colleagues to protect our middle class way of life.
STABENOW: we need to push and pass the 9/11 Report. I’ve lead the effort to fight for those things that allow our firefighters and police what they need to do their job and keep us safe. We have tripled the number of border security. I’ve brought in dollars for sheriffs across the state, including Mike.
BOUCHARD: That’s just more talk-versus-reality in Washington. I sit on Committee that represents law enforcement - she’s never visited. We need someone who understands security. Security funding has turned into pork barrel spending. They are well intentioned, but no results. If you don’t fix a problem - people die.
STABENOW: I voted no, because it went too far and cost us jobs. I do think it’s important to have border security and legal system that is fair and effective. My focus is on our jobs that we’re losing because of failed policies.
BOUCHARD: Border security is big issue for me. I’m against illegal immigration. 52% of illegal immigrants caught had criminal backgrounds. She voted for and then against border fence.
STABENOW: We need a president who’s going to sit down with the automakers. This president can’t come up with 30 minutes to sit down with them. We’ve got to get healthcare costs off the back of business. We’ve got to protect pensions, and race like crazy for innovation. We make and grow things in America. That’s what its going to take. We’ve got to fight for those jobs here.
BOUCHARD: She says one thing and does another here. She’s a 18% rating from the Manufacturers Association, I won’t vote to raise taxes, or cut jobs. I’m a small business owner. We need someone who gets it and does results.
BOUCHARD: She voted to give Social Security to illegal immigrants. We need to fix that situation. There are men and women at home who are worried about having their benefits. Committing identity theft is fundamentally wrong. I will stop that. That’s what Michigan needs. Less partisan wrangling, less filibusters. We need results.
STABENOW: Social Security is NOT given to illegals, and I didn’t vote for it. I believe Social Security is a great Amer. success story. He supports privatization of Social Security. I was proud to lead [the fight to] stop privatization. We need to put more funds into that system. I want to keep the security in Social Security. My opponent sent me a thank you note for funding that he received as a result of my votes.
BOUCHARD: I believe we need to take care of any threat--if we have actual intelligence, yes, we need to protect the US. My opponent has failed to protect America, she voted against missile defense. We need someone who will stand up to the plate. I’ve been in Law Enforcement in 20 years. Protection is the most important job of government. She’s not done it.
STABENOW: I supported every defense budget and everything we need to do to protect our families. My opponent didn’t answer the question -- which was about Iraq. I didn’t vote to go to Iraq, because it was a war of choice, not a necessity. I’ve been to Iraq - they are brave soldiers who deserve more than a slogan - they need a strategy.
STABENOW: Most challenging situation. It’s our job to give them everything they need. I’ve been to Iraq, met with Ministers. We are not there forever. The Iraqis need to shore up so our people can step back. We’re doing excellent training of their people.
BOUCHARD: We need to do everything we can to bring more stable and safe situation there. We can’t leave it in a vacuum.