T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol ReporterRhetoric is getting sharper in the Sixth Congressional District race.
Rep. Mark Kennedy did not use negative television ads in his race two years ago ó a decision the Republican has often cited with pride ó but his campaign has run a negative ad against Democratic challenger Patty Wetterling this election season.
At a League of Women Voters debate on Saturday in St. Cloud, Kennedy defended his aggressiveness, suggesting the words Wetterling speaks to voters do not match the beliefs of the ěliberalî groups that support her.
During the debate, Kennedy cited MoveOn.org, Emilyís List, and others as groups whose beliefs he believes do not match the district.
And these are organizations that back Wetterling, he said.
ěMost people (groups) just donít give their endorsements willy-nilly,í Kennedy said, adding a candidate needs to pass a litmus test.
Wetterling speaks
In answer to Kennedyís attempts at depicting her as the embodiment of groups that support her, Wetterling simply tells district voters sheís Patty and that theyíve known for 15 years where she stands on issues.
ěNobody has been telling me what to do,î Wetterling told the debate audience at St. Cloud City Hall.
ěI find it offensive to be accused of things I do not believe in,î she said.
Itís accusatory and not fruitful to talk about where the campaigns raise their dollars, Wetterling said.
ěThe reality is, it takes a lot of money to run for Congress. And Iím happy that Iíve had a broad base of that support,î she said.
During the debate, candidates took questions from a panel of reporters and from audience members.
On the issue of abortion, Kennedy said a ěstark differenceî existed between Wetterling and himself.
Kennedy called himself absolutely Pro-Life.
Wetterling said she had never wavered on her position on abortion ó Kennedy, citing a media report, suggesting she had ó explaining she didnít believe, in the case of a pregnant 10, or 11-year-old girl, it was the governmentís job to tell the family what they could and could not do to help the child.
Sheís always on the preventive side, Wetterling said.
ěAnd I am Pro-Choice,î she said.
Post debate talk
After the debate, Kennedy questioned why the Wetterling campaign hadnít participated in more debates if they didnít want to avoid certain issues.
So far, the two candidates have appeared together three times.
ěIím here, said Wetterling, filing out of the city council chamber after the debate.
She would like to debate again if it can be worked out, Wetterling said.
ěIím planning on winning on Nov. 2 ó thatís my goal,í she said
People who urged her to run for Congress tell her she can win, she said.
Kennedy said Wetterling has attacked him personally by linking him to a perceived climate of fear.
The Kennedy campaign has indicated it will continue to contrast positions as deemed necessary.
ěI donít think a campaign should be an issue-free zone,î Kennedy said, speaking after the hour-long debate.
John Schadl, Wetterling campaign spokesman, said itís significant that Kennedy, the incumbent, started running a negative ad though the Wetterling campaign has not.
Itís a ëvery powerful signalî that the Kennedy campaign is worried about the outcome of the race, he explained.
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