10/27/2006

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters president Mary Grove, center, moderates a debate between incumbent Dave Camp, left, and challenger Mike Huckleberry, right.

Camp, Huckleberry face off in debate

By PATRICK SULLIVAN

psullivan@record-eagle.com

Camp

Huckleberry

TRAVERSE CITY — A polished incumbent and a scrappy populist squared off about Iraq, terrorism and big money in politics.

Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, told a crowd packed into the public meeting room at the Governmental Center Thursday that he wants to keep his job, one he's held since he was first elected 16 years ago. He touted his accomplishments and he defended the war in Iraq.

Democratic Mike Huckleberry, of Greenville, went after Camp over his position on the war, big money contributions and economic policies he said benefit the rich at the expense of the middle and working classes.

It's an uphill battle for Huckleberry, who lost his bid in 2004 after he captured 35 percent of the votes compared to 64 percent that went to Camp.

The debate between the District 4 candidates was organized by the League of Women Voters.

Iraq, the financial toll of the war, and the connection between Iraq and the war on terror dominated much of the debate.

Camp connected the war to Sept. 11, prompting a few in the audience to groan.

"The war in Iraq was not something we asked for, it was the result of a decade of ignoring the threat of terrorism," Camp said.

Camp said the war is about making America safe and if troops are pulled out now, terrorists would benefit.

Huckleberry said troops should be out of Iraq.

"I don't care how many times he repeats it, I don't care how many times his party repeats it, they're two different wars," Huckleberry said. "The war in Iraq and the war on terror are two different wars."

Huckleberry also focused on the cost of the war.

"It was sold to us as a cakewalk or a walk in the park," He said. "We have the biggest budget deficit that our country has ever known and the Iraq war, Katrina and Afghanistan are is not figured into it."

Camp said people should recall Sept. 11 and the recession that followed. He said tax cuts have since improved the economy and the deficit is getting smaller.

Huckleberry accused Camp of working for big oil and pharmaceutical and insurance companies rather than his constituents.

"I think big money has taken over our government," Huckleberry said. "They don't give him that money to work for you and I, and if you think I'm wrong, just look the next time you go to pay for those goods and services."

Camp noted that he has received contributions from around 10,000 individuals and has support from across the political spectrum.

"I think people are very smart, they know if they're being listened to, they know if their interests are being protected in Washington," Camp said.

Camp and Huckleberry also tangled over healthcare.

Huckleberry said he supports universal healthcare, saying Americans pay too much and the cost of healthcare makes America less competitive.

"There is a crisis that's out of control; we can't compete globally without it (universal healthcare)."

Camp said people wait in line for state-funded healthcare in Canada.

"I think I hear a big tax increase coming, because I don't hear how we're going to pay for that," Camp said.