For tonight’s debate, Novu.com has the following info:
Tonight, Republican Todd Young, Democrat Evan Bayh and Libertarian Lucy Brenton will debate as part of the race to replace Sen. Dan Coates. The debate will begin at 7 p.m. and can be live-streamed via the Indiana Debate Commission's website and WISHTV.com; watched on live TV on CSPAN-2, WFYI and WTHR; or listened to on WFYI and WIBC. Other affiliates around the state will also broadcast the debate.
CSPAN2 will also be covering the debate live, which is how I’ll be watching it. Bayh is experienced conservadem, but would certainly be a vote for Hillary Clinton’s Supreme Court nominee.
Awkward silence period...
The moderator Ken Owen begins his statement. And introduces himself.
Candidates are introduced. Lucy Brenton, Libertarian. Evan Bayh, Democrat. Todd Young, Republican. Order was determined by lot. Debate rules stuff.
Brenten goes first.
Brenten takes shots at special interests. Hits Bayh for corporate ties and outsiders. Attacks Young on raising national debt.
Bayh says “great to have conservation with fellow Hoosiers”. Says he expects attacks from Young. Jobs message.
Vows to fight against extremes in both parties. He is telling the truth about this one.
Young talks about his military experience. Talking up Marine experience.
1st question is when did you work with other party to achieve something meaningful.
Brenten notes that since she is a Libertarian, hasn’t held political office. Talks about home life.
Bayh then has his turn, talks about 21st Century Scholars program.
Bayh also mentions working with Susan Collins to fight against Alzheimer’s.
Young talks about repealing 30 hour requirement of ACA
Bayh rebuts. Agrees that workweek should be extended from 30 to 40 for ACA purposes. Mentions Young wants to reopen donut hole.
Brenten basically says government should not be setting workweek regs.
More ACA attacks from Young. Surprise, surprise. Bayh repeats the taking us back to pre-ACA truth.
Brenten calling ACA “forced insurance scam”
2nd question on climate change: Bayh says renewables, retrofitting, clean coal, ethanol(mentions Young voted again).
Says climate change is global issue, but says shouldn’t wreck economy to deal with it.
Young says carbon tax would hurt Indiana farmers.
Brenten does a folksy climate change denial message.
Bayh says he is against cap & trade. Attacks Young on getting money from banks.
Young says he can’t keep Bayh’s support for taxes straight. Claims Bayh was the deciding vote for ACA.
Brenten seems to think UN would be administering carbon tax. What?
Afghanistan, Iraq & Middle East question. Young is talking getting NATO support against ISIS. Safe zones in Syria
Brenten calls it an illegal war.
Bayh: agrees that ISIS should be fought. Work with the Kurds. Enpower intelligence services.
Young is again talking about Marine experience. Mentions Bayh skips hearings on Armed Services committee.
Bayh attacks Young on voting against vets and funding for them.
Question about Putin. Mentions having to go to Wikileaks to see what is going on.
Libertarian said wikileaks comment.
Bayh calls Putin’s effort to interfere with our election is disturbing. Talks about allied response.
Young says Putin is proof of “lead from behind”. Supports more sanctions against Russia.
Brenton equates Putin(KGB) and Bush(CIA). Touts Diabold CT.
Question on guns. Bayh says he supports 2nd Amendment. Supports not letting those on terrorist list buying guns.
Young says Hoosiers can count on him to protect gun rights. Says mentally ill shouldn’t have guns. Says supports more funding for mental health. Talks about Bayh voting for SCOTUS, and says gun rights would be jeopardized if Bayh elected.
Brenton doesn’t like talk of rights with limitations. Goes back to overseas gun sales(i.e sending arms to Kurds).
Young touts his NRA rating.
Brenton says school shooters were all on SSRIs. Blaming that for school shootings.
Question on Social Security. Talks about SS being unsustainable in 18 years.
Young falsely attacks Bayh on giving SS to “illegal Immigrants”. Mentions ACA zombie lie.
Brenton repeating Young saying SS was a ponzi scheme.
Bayh says Young has told so many whoppers he can’t keep track. Rebuts Young on ACA & SS.
Young says Bayh is a DC politician.
Brenton just compared Social Security recipients to Bernie Madoff victims.
Bayh attacks Young on not supporting the auto bailout.
Bayh is going to talk about growing economy.
Bayh is now talking about trade issues and China. Talking about currency manipulation and IP theft. Also talking outsourcing.
Brenton is talking about outside money and her meager funds. Talks about BRICS.
Brenton keeps talking about “honest money system”. What does she mean?
Brenton wants a 0% corporate tax rate.
Young is saying Bayh voted for a flood of outsourcing to China.
Young Wants to cut taxes on “Made in America” products, simplify tax code.
Brenton wants to talk about farmers.
Brenton talks about commercial hemp.
Young says EPA is hurting farmers. Calls Bayh a rubber stamp for Clinton. Says estate tax should be repealed.
Young is talking about regulations, and forcing regs to come before Congress for an up or down vote.
Bayh gets an opportunity to go back to talk about trade since he was skipped over. Attacks Young on support for TPP.
And now Bayh is talking about broadband expansion & ethanol in response to Brenton’s topic. Says he agrees with Young on too many regulations for Indiana farmers. Says he wants to repeal estate tax(ugh!)
Now Young is talking about the ACA. Claims premiums and deductables are so high. Repeats largest tax increase lie.
Bayh says Young wants to take health care from 350,000 Hoosiers.
Bayh talks about human cost of repealing ACA through popular provisions.
Brenton basically saying “free market rules all” Defends women being charged more pre-ACA.
Young charges Bayh with “taking the money & ran” concerning ACA and his not running in 2010 election.
Closing statements. Young tries to paint Bayh & Clinton as same. Brenton complains about mud-slinging between Bayh & Young. Bayh is talking about building on education policy and working together with GOP.
OK, Moderator is signing off. Didn’t really see any big moments in this debate.