Tom Harkin in Washington Senate Debate

On Energy & Oil: Develop cellulosic ethanol, wind, and solar

Reed said domestic oil sources would help in the meantime while alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are developed into a more viable means of energy. Reed also urged energy conservation, but said that should come from individual responsibility, not from a government mandate.

In contrast, Harkin argued drilling on the intercontinental shelf is expensive and would do little to immediately bring down oil prices. Instead, he argued for developing technologies such as an electric-powered car and cellulosic ethanol in addition to developing wind and solar energy. “We need an energy program that doesn’t just chase the last barrel of oil,” Harkin said.

On Social Security: Privatization failed before we had Social Security

Reed was confronted by crowd member Robert D. Williams, a 79-year-old Democrat from Indianola, who said poor people were left with nothing before Social Security was created. “The Social Security system, the only way it’s going to be solvent, is that we have none of this talk about or action about people opting out and taking their money and doing something else,“ Williams said.

Harkin also expressed opposition to the idea. ”If privatization is so good, why didn’t it work for all those years before we had Social Security?“ Harkin said. ”The reason we have Social Security was because the private sector wouldn’t do this, couldn’t do it.“