Financial Crisis At Center Stage at First Congressional Debate

Anger and frustration over the nation’s current financial crisis and disappointment with the inability of current leaders to steer the country to an independent energy status were the common themes of a debate Tuesday night among candidates for the 1st District U.S. House seat.

Republican Phil Roe, Democrat Rob Russell and the three independent candidates seeking the seat took the stage before about 200 people at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The independent candidates are Joel Goodman and T.K. Owens, both of Johnson City, and James Reeves, of Gray.

The candidates seem to agree on many issues, from the current economic crisis to a feeling of betrayal over rising health care costs. None applauded the current administration or Congress.

“In 2005 and 2006, Americans spent more than we saved and the last time that happened was just before the Great Depression,” said Roe, the mayor of Johnson City. “I honestly don’t know how I would have voted on the bailout bill. It was way too complicated for most people to understand.”

The other candidates were loud and clear about their disapproval of the $700 bailout bill approved by Congress and signed by the president last week to try to stabilize the nation’s struggling economy.

Russell, of Kingsport, called the bailout “a gamble that will not pay off.”

Reeves said the bailout cost $700 billion “and we really don’t have a clue what we’re in for. It’s just adding to our debt, which we can’t afford.”

When asked whether he would have voted for the bailout, Owens answered with a simple no.

“We bailed out stockbrokers who are now back standing on the trading floor,” he said.

As he did throughout the forum, Goodman raised his voice and banged the table.

“With all due respect, I doubt many people of you here even understand this completely,” he said.

The League of Women Voters of Northeast Tennessee hosted the candidate forum, which began with each candidate answering specific questions drawn at random. Short responses by each candidate followed.

The forum also featured questions from the audience and each candidate had two minutes for a closing statement.

Tuesday’s forum was the first time since this summer that all the candidates have appeared together.

On the issue of health care, as was the case with just about every issue discussed, the candidates seemed a bit hot under the collar.

“There are too many culprits for us to chase down,” Russell said about the energy crunch and high gas prices. “It’s a product of Wall Street and Washington.”

At that point, Goodman sighed and let his hand drop to the table.

Owens claimed that Hurricane Gustav was one of the main reasons for the current high oil prices.

Reeves, who from time to time slumped his head, said there would be no energy crisis if the No. 1 contributor to political campaigns was not financial institutions.
Roe went as far as to say that those responsible for the financial and energy crises should “go to jail.”

And so it went, for just over two hours.

Although the independent candidates were included, Roe and Russell are the prominent contenders.

Roe has likely already faced his toughest opponent in his campaign for the seat. He bested incumbent U.S. Rep. David Davis by less than 1 percentage point when the Aug. 7 primary votes were counted. Davis, who has only served one two-year term, considered calling for a recount but conceded about a week later.

Roe was the first candidate since 1966 to upset an incumbent Tennessee congressman in a primary election.

Russell is acutely aware that his chances of victory on Nov. 4 are very slim. The district has been a safe haven for the Republican Party, which has held the seat for all but four years since 1859.
Still, Russell said he will run again if he loses next month.