Maria Cantwell in Washington 2006 Senate Debate


On Abortion: Roe v. Wade is US law and WA law, so uphold it

Q: What’s your position on abortion?

GUTHRIE: You have the right to medical freedom. You get to choose the procedures that you undergo, not politicians. Your individual right translates into a woman’s right for reproductive freedom. I’m pro-choice.

McGAVICK: Partial birth abortion should not be used as a loophole; and taxpayers should be forced to pay for abortion. With underage pregnancies, parents have a right to be involved with that decision. Within these boundaries, I believe choice should exist.

CANTWELL: I support Roe v. Wade. It has been the law of the land for 30 years. More importantly, it has been voted on, by initiative, ad adopted by the people of this state. That’s why I work to uphold that women have full access to reproductive healthcare choices that is both the national law and the law of this state. I think it’s important to support, with federal dollars, those programs that give full access, and don’t discriminate against women who can’t afford that access.

Source: Washington Senate Debate hosted by KING-5 Oct 17, 2006

On Principles & Values: Voted for Kerry in 2004; he matched Northwest values

Q: In 2004 ,who got your vote for President, and why?

CANTWELL: I voted for John Kerry. He matched our Northwest values. He won Washington state because he understood our values and would fight for them.

McGAVICK: I voted for George Bush because he understood that the single most important issue facing America was the war to defeat radical Islamic terrorism. I also thought it was more likely, given Bush’s record, that he would do more to reduce the debt than John Kerry.

GUTHRIE: The American people could see that the choices we had were terrible. Only 40% of registered voters voted-60% were not served, and were disgusted with the Democrats & Republicans. I voted for change. I voted for Michael Badnarik, who represented a new sensible center in politics, without the extremes of the Democrats & Republicans. My vote represented the values of America; we’re socially tolerant yet fiscally responsible. My vote counted because I didn’t fall into the trap of voting for the lesser of two evils.

Source: Washington Senate Debate hosted by KING-5 & Seattle Times Oct 17, 2006

On Social Security: Tax cut on $1.2M earners would keep system solvent 75 years

I want to make sure that Social Security is solvent for future generations. We had an opportunity in 2001, when we had a budget surplus, to make a down payment on Social Security. Instead, we gave a tax cut. The tax cut to the highest income earners, that make over $1.2 million, would have provided enough money for Social Security solvency for the next 75 years.
Source: Washington Senate Debate hosted by KING-5 & Seattle Times Oct 17, 2006

On Social Security: Keep progressivity and guaranteed benefit

First, we must keep our promises to our senior citizens Q: What’s your plan to save Social Security?

CANTWELL: I want to protect Social Security. What I like about Social Security is that it’s a guaranteed benefit. It has progressivity, like for women who make less or live longer. To change that, by making proposal. We must guarantee benefits to those who are nearing retirement, while for younger workers, there should be personal accounts. But, I oppose them being privatized.

GUTHRIE: First, we must keep our promises to our senior citizens. But young people 25 and undershould have personal savings accounts. For the gap between 25 and 50, they can either opt-out and accept a lump-sum payment, or they can continue with the current system.

Source: Washington Senate Debate hosted by KING-5 & Seattle Times Oct 17, 2006

On War & Peace: Change the course in Iraq; we can’t stay indefinitely

Q: What’s your definition for an acceptable resolution in Iraq?

McGAVICK: We have got to win the war against radical Islamic terrorism. To suddenly withdraw from Iraq would give our enemy heart & would give them a staging ground for terrorism against us.

GUTHRIE: Currently we have a civil war. Our brave soldiers are doing their best, but we need to bring them home as quickly as is consistent with their safety.

CANTWELL: We do need to change the course in Iraq. To say that we’re going to stay there as long as it takes, or have permanent bases, is the wrong message. We do need a plan, which includes these things:

  1. We need the rest of the international community to step up political support for the new Iraqi government.
  2. We need to send to the Iraqi people the message that we’re not going to stay there indefinitely. They have to take charge of their security.
  3. We need to set a Dayton Accord summit to resolve issues like oil that keep the Shiites & Sunnis battling each other.
Source: Washington Senate Debate hosted by KING-5 & Seattle Times Oct 17, 2006

The above quotations are from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) faces challengers Mike McGavick (R) & Bruce Guthrie (L) in this debate moderated by Dennis Bounds, KING 5, Oct. 17, 2006. Debate sponsored by the Seattle Times, Northwest News Network, KREM TV, Seattle City Club..
Click here for other excerpts from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) faces challengers Mike McGavick (R) & Bruce Guthrie (L) in this debate moderated by Dennis Bounds, KING 5, Oct. 17, 2006. Debate sponsored by the Seattle Times, Northwest News Network, KREM TV, Seattle City Club..
Click here for other excerpts by Maria Cantwell.
Click here for a profile of Maria Cantwell.
Maria Cantwell 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: Feb 26, 2019