Kuhl, Massa clash in debate series
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

JASON COX/THE LEADER Congressional candidates Eric Massa and Randy Kuhl debate at the Clemens Center, above. On Wednesday, the two brought their contest to St. Thomas Church in Bath.

ELMIRA - Jobs, the economy and health care were the center of the second

and third debates Tuesday and Wednesday between the candidates for the 29th Congressional District.

Democrat Eric Massa, of Corning, and freshman incumbent John R. "Randy" Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, argued the merits of free trade, job creation and health insurance before a capacity crowd in Mandeville Hall in the Clemens Center.

The crowd, including Massa supporters and Republican Party officials, spilled out into the center lobby, where the debate was aired on closed circuit television.

The debate, sponsored by The Leader and WETM-TV, also was broadcast live on WETM2.

Kuhl, 63, stressed his native roots in the region and 24 years in state government as strengths in representing the district for two years in Congress. He said there were significant challenges during his first term, with Social Security on the verge of collapse, problems with Medicare and crime.

"Is there more to do?" Kuhl said. "Absolutely there is."

Massa, 46, and a retired Naval officer, called for a change to a higher standard of leadership, saying state and federal policies are out touch with real-life needs.

"Do you, like I and many others, believe this nation is in uncharted territory with respect to our national security, and security of our homes and neighborhoods, right here in the 29th Congressional District? It's a simple question, do we stay the course or ... do we change the course?"

The men were allowed 1.5 minutes for a response or counter-argument with a short rebuttal. Topics covered a wide range, including:

 Local economy:

Kuhl said he asked why local graduates are unable to find jobs in the area while the rest of the nation has a "bubbling, bursting economy."

He said he has worked on House of Representative committees to improve the infrastructure, education and agriculture during his first term in order to improve the local job situation.

He said the Central America Free Trade Alliance has done away with costly tariffs with those countries, allowing for increased exports of American goods. Massa said the region needs a fair trade agreement to bolster local jobs. He said CAFTA has robbed the district of living wage jobs, citing the closing of the Weyerhauser plant after 30 years to move to Bolivia. He said arguments about selling produce and Kodak cameras in Central America are baseless.

"The bottom line is, no Guatemalans are going to be buying our apples, and those cameras are not made in America," Massa said.

 Health care:

Massa favors universal health care and said the estimated 47 million uninsured Americans should be covered for "the common good." He said it is immoral for Americans to be unable to see a doctor when "37 other nations have figured it out."

Kuhl said the estimate of uninsured Americans does not factor in employees who do not opt for insurance, but added he is in favor of providing affordable health care, health association collectives and a governors' commission to come up with alternatives.

The men reacted differently to a question about windfarm development - a heated issue in Steuben County where roughly seven projects have been proposed.

Kuhl said setting up windfarms was a local issue to be decided by the people in the communities. But Massa angrily responded, saying the windfarms do very little to benefit their host communities and allowed corporate America to run amok.

But the most divisive question of the evening may have been one about negative campaign ads. Both candidates pledged they would not attack their opponent and angrily charged the other of negative campaigning.

The candidates met again Wednesday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath for the third in their series of debates.

As before, Kuhl touted his experience as an elected local and state official for more than 24 years and lifelong resident of Hammondsport. He said he went to Washington to serve the district. "Have we made a difference?" Kuhl asked. "Yes. Is it enough? No. I believe I can still make a difference."

During the 1.5-hour frequently combative debate, the men fielded a number of questions also asked during the past week including jobs and the economy, the war in Iraq, illegal immigration, energy consumption and universal health care.

Other issues included the rights of suspected terrorists, military spending, social security reform and late-night passage of federal bills.

In closing, Kuhl said he has worked hard to represent the people in the district during his term.

"I want to continue to serve you as long as I have the energy and drive and passion that I do," he said. "It is the greatest experience and I mean that."

Massa urged people to vote for the candidate of their choice. He told the crowd democracy has been taken away "and only we can take it back."