Unfair tax laws, high unemployment for college graduates and healthcare are a few of many issues that Georgians would like their state representatives to mandate. Kennesaw State University hosted 1 of 7 GOP U.S. Senate primary debates on Saturday, Feb. 1.
The Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Bailey & Family Performance Center was filled with Republicans anxiously waiting to hear how the 8 GOP Senate candidates will improve on current issues and implement policies that will benefit Georgia’s citizens. Martha Zoller News Talk AM 1330 radio host and ZPolitics editor moderated the debate. KSU political science professor, Kerwin Swint, and an Atlanta Journal Constitution columnist, Kyle Wingfield, were panelists.
Each candidate began the debate with an opening statement that provided details about their life, political experience and key issues they will focus on if elected to the U.S. Senate.
“We have to treat this like a job interview”, said Karen Handel.
Eugene Yu, Derrick Grayson, Art Gardner, Karen Handel, Phil Gingrey, Paul Broun, Jack Kingston and David Perdue are fighting to occupy a seat in the U.S. seat held by the retiring Saxby Chambliss. Swint began the debate by asking the candidates how they will preserve the American dream for college students.
“I say to young voters to achieve the American dream we must create jobs, reduce regulation and create more friendly business”, said Yu.
Karen Handel believes “new leadership and hard work” is vital for success in this country.
Healthcare is a growing concern among many people in the country. Broun introduced the Patient Option Act, H.R. 2900, which let people have more control over their healthcare plans.
“The Patient Option Act will increase health savings account and create tax incentives for physicians and clinics that provide care to the indigent”, said Broun.
Gingrey, Broun and Kingston are current U.S. Representatives. Their opponents feel that they had ample opportunities to address issues.
“If we keep sending the same people to the Washington, we will continue to get the same results”, said Derrick Grayson.
In his defense, Jack Kingston stated he “voted against Obama care 40 times.” Kingston plans to “make health care affordable and return healthcare authority to the state government.”
Candidates also provided detail on how they would strengthen foreign policy without over allocating funds to foreign countries.
“We need to enact for tougher sanctions and stop letting Iranians play us like puppets on a string”, said Gingrey.
David Purdue believes “a stronger military” is the key to enforcing stricter foreign policy.
All candidates wanted to strengthen the Republican Party. Art Gardner believes youth and a strong minority presence will improve the Republican Party.
“We need to establish a stronger minority presence in the Republican Party”, said Gardner. “We need to stop denying gay Americans access to the Republican Party, because they are Americans before they are anything else.”
The next GOP debate will be on Feb. 22 in Gainesville, Ga. The primary election will be held on May 20, 2014 and the runoff will be held July 22, 2014. Senate election will be held on Nov. 4, 2014.
