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When thousands of people donate no more than $100 per person per election, we can build a campaign without money from special interests. _______________________ But it's about more than money. We need your energy and your enthusiasm, too. Sign up to volunteer on Jim Hansen's campaign for Congress.
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| Debate shows Hansen represents change, integrity |
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| posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 |
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Sunday’s statewide televised debate between Jim Hansen and Mike Simpson, candidates for Idaho’s 2nd District seat in Congress, showed the sharp differences between the two candidates, giving voters a clear choice on Nov. 7.
Hansen spoke of the need to fix the foundation in Congress, which has been seriously weakened by corruption and scandal tied to the influence of powerful special interests that donate to the campaigns of congressional candidates. Hansen has conducted a grassroots campaign and capped individual donations to his campaign at $100. He does not take money from PACs (political action committees).
“If the incumbents don’t recognize that the foundation of Congress is cracked, they cannot be retrained and should not be rehired,” Hansen said in the debate sponsored by Idaho Public Television, the League of Women Voters and the Idaho Press Club.
Hansen, the Democrat, and Simpson, a Republican and four-term incumbent, sparred over several issues, including Iraq and foreign policy, health care, stem cell research, No Child Left Behind, immigration and public lands.
Simpson said he was proud of his vote for the federal No Child Left Behind bill and would vote to reauthorize it. Hansen called it “the worst piece of federal education legislation” that he has seen.
“Jim proved he has the integrity and conviction to be a strong voice for Idaho in Congress,” Richard Stallings, chairman of Idaho’s Democratic party, said following the debate. “The contrast could not have been more clear. Mr. Simpson’s arrogance implied that the folks in Washington have all the answers. People have the opportunity in Jim to reform Congress and put this nation back on track.”
Stallings criticized Simpson for saying the war in Iraq was a proper response to several terrorist acts that occurred before the U.S. invasion. Stallings said Simpson is helping to spread the “great lie” that the 9-11 tragedy and Iraq are connected.
“That is absolutely false,” Stallings said. “Even members of Mr. Simpson’s own party, including the president, admit there was no connection. Mr. Simpson is assuming that we in Idaho are not very bright.”
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