Jabs get harsh at last election forum

Published 8:00 pm Saturday, October 19, 2002

Candidates running for office in the Nov. 5 general election took a break from the usual campaign trail Thursday night to get together for a couple of hours to bicker, attack one another and otherwise express their views.

In a candidates forum rife with digs against incumbents’ records and proposals from office hopefuls about how to get the job done right, about 100 South Whidbey voters got to know more about this season’s politicians than they ever could by looking at a printed policy statement.

Featured first among the structured debates among candidates for county, state and federal office was a four-way meeting of candidates for U.S. House. Opening the evening’s speeches was Green party candidate Bernerd Haggerty, who immediately got in a dig against the absent Rep. Rick Larsen. Haggerty noted Larsen has missed 12 of 13 forums held in the 2nd Congressional District before railing against the pro-war stance recently taken by Congress.

Libertarian candidate Bruce Guthrie was not as hard on Larsen, but was equally outspoken on the threat of war. He disapproved of what he sees as this nation’s interference in the affairs of other nations, especially in Israel and the rest of the Middle East.

“Aren’t the Saudis wealthy enough to defend themselves,” he said, drawing applause.

The only admitted pro-war candidate, Clinton Republican Norma Smith, even found herself hard pressed to stick to her convictions. Questioned about her recent declared support for President Bush’s desire to attack Iraq, Smith backed down somewhat. She said that if elected, she would “seriously study” the issue.

Standing in for Rep. Larsen was his aide, Charla Neuman. Neuman read a letter written by Larsen, then defended the congressman’s vote last week opposing giving the president authority to attack Iraq. She said e-mails received by Larsen’s office were 2,080-20 against giving that authority away.

In a three-way discussion between candidates for the 10th District seat in the state Legislature, money for state programs was the main theme. Republican Barbara Bailey, while noting she supports “good, basic education” and health care, said the state needs to find more places to cut its budget.

“I don’t believe that we have a revenue problem. I believe we have a spending problem,” she said.

Brett Wilhelm, a Libertarian candidate from South Whidbey, was also opposed to new taxes, especially those levied against people who work hard, save their money, and plan for the future.

Democrat Eron Berg, who is the current mayor of LaConner, said efficiency is the way to go, but admitted that additional tax revenue might be needed in the future. He received the loudest applause of the three candidates.

The candidates also touched on the legislature’s recent move to use tobacco lawsuit money to balance the state’s budget, and on the ethics of taking campaign donations from the tobacco industry. When questioned on the subject, Bailey admitted to receiving tobacco money for her campaign. She defended herself by saying tobacco companies deserve local representation as much as district residents.

Candidates in other races presented at the forum hit many of the same points as in other League events. Island County Treasurer Maxine Sauter defended herself against accusations that she has ignored state audit findings over the past eight years. Her accuser, Democratic challenger Linda Riffe, said she would not ignore the state auditor and vowed, if elected, to reform and retool the treasurers office.

Also getting the attention of votes at the forum was one last exchange between incumbent Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks and his Republican challenger, Kelly Barlean. Barlean, who has gone after Banks for his relationship with law enforcement and conviction record, received a number of “heavy sighs” from the audience, as League member Barbara Seitle described them.

Seitle also had to act as a referee during the forum, stopping Island County Sheriff Mike Hawley in mid speech as he attempted to explain his declared support for Barlean in the prosecutor’s race. Talking about that endorsement, Seitle said, violated League forum rules.

The forum was the last to be held on South Whidbey this election season by the League.