Roy Blunt in The Associated Press

On Budget & Economy: Bailout ok; stimulus package a huge mistake

Carnahan criticized Blunt for his role in a 2008 bill bailing out troubled financial institutions, suggesting that it demonstrated a willingness to help Wall Street more than ordinary people. "Congressman Blunt time and again is on the side of Wall Street. He can figure out every rationale to give bailouts to Wall Street, he can say that it was great that it helped our economy--he's said it over and over again," Carnahan said. "But as I travel around our state, it hasn't helped. It hasn't delivered as promised."

Blunt defended the financial legislation, noting that much of the money already has been repaid. He contrasted the bailout with the 2009 federal stimulus package, which Blunt described as a "huge mistake" and a "huge waste of money." Blunt said the stimulus is not helping the economy. "It didn't have the impact on the economy that the president promised, and we should have known from day one that it wouldn't have," Blunt said.

Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Missouri Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

On Government Reform: Took $200K from lobbyists for 2010; tops among House members

Carnahan repeatedly criticized Blunt for ties to lobbyists. He has taken $200,500 from lobbyists this election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, tops among current House members. "Even your own party thought you were too tainted by these special deals & relationships with lobbyists," she said.

Blunt rejected the criticism, contending that some Senate candidates have taken more money from lobbying groups. He criticized a federal grant to Carnahan's brother for a wind farm project.

Carnahan responded that she had nothing to do with her brother's business. The federal government previously has provided tax incentives to boost renewable energy. The stimulus package offered cash payments instead of tax credits for wind-energy projects. The U.S. Treasury Department has said it had no discretion in deciding who qualified.

Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Missouri Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts by Roy Blunt. Click here for a profile of Roy Blunt.
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Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019