Washington Senate Debate: on Budget & Economy

Matthew Whitaker: Top priority: Grow the economy

"Jobs and economy," said State Senator Joni Ernst.

"Balancing the budget," answered former State Attorney Matt Whitaker.

"Grow the economy," said Dr. Sam Clovis.

With an ever growing list of Republican candidates the biggest challenge, right now, may be standing out in a crowded field. "I want to go to Washington not as a career politician, but as a citizen legislator. The laws that I work on will apply to me when I'm done, since I've taken a term limit pledge to only serve two terms," Whitaker said.

"I am certainly not the status quo, and I won't represent the status quo. The American people are sick of that, and they want real change, by real people, who will do things that will really change this country and get it back on track," Clovis said.

Sam Clovis: Top priority: Balancing the budget

"Jobs and economy," said State Senator Joni Ernst.

"Balancing the budget," answered former State Attorney Matt Whitaker.

"Grow the economy," said Dr. Sam Clovis.

With an ever growing list of Republican candidates the biggest challenge, right now, may be standing out in a crowded field. "I am certainly not the status quo, and I won't represent the status quo. The American people are sick of that, and they want real change, by real people, who will do things that will really change this country and get it back on track," Clovis said.

After the forum, the audience cast their vote in a straw poll. With 57-votes, the king of the palace Monday night was Sam Clovis. The winner of the Republican Primary will likely face Bruce Braley, the only Democrat in the race.

Joni Ernst: I've castrated hogs so I know how to cut pork

That was the first time the live audience reacted vocally. The line was both humorous and insightful.

Dino Rossi: Big government is cause of current crisis, not its solution

Murray, the Democrat, sang the praises of government action to repair the damage done by Wall Street, and touted her record of delivering federal dollars for the state's roads, colleges and businesses. "I'm working with your local leaders to provide the kinds of investments to create jobs, so you're strong again and our Main Street businesses kee their doors open," Murray said.

But Rossi, the Republican, contended that big government backed by Murray is the cause of the current crisis, not its solution. Citing the state's 17% functional unemployment rate--which includes the jobless and those underemployed--Rossi said businesses need stable regulation & low taxes to start hiring again. "It's not with more government, it's not with stimulus, it's not with the health-care plan. It's got to be with small business being more successful," he said.

Patty Murray: Government action needed to fix damage done by Wall Street

Murray, the Democrat, sang the praises of government action to repair the damage done by Wall Street, and touted her record of delivering federal dollars for the state's roads, colleges and businesses. "I'm working with your local leaders to provide the kinds of investments to create jobs, so you're strong again and our Main Street businesses kee their doors open," Murray said, touting millions she recently helped secure to repair Howard Hanson Dam & replace Seattle's South Park Bridge.

But Rossi, the Republican, contended that big government backed by Murray is the cause of the current crisis, not its solution. Rossi said businesses need stable regulation & low taxes to start hiring again. "It's not with more government, it's not with stimulus, it's not with a healthcare plan. It's got to be with small business being more successful," he said.

Patty Murray: Bush policy is tax cuts & wars without paying for them

Rossi pointed to the health care overhaul and stimulus spending and said leaders are "moving down a path that is very dangerous."

"If we don't have a course correction in this election, I think we're going to wake up 24 months from now in a country that we don't even recognize," Rossi said.

Murray said Rossi's support for extending tax cuts for individuals who earn $200,000 a year or more could destabilize Social Security, halt the cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and hurt student loans and construction projects that repair dams and other infrastructure.

Patty Murray: The Republican economic policies are not working