Luetkemeyer, Baker debate at Truman State

The congressional candidates held a heated debate on Tuesday.

By Greg Young

Published Oct. 30, 2008

KIRKSVILLE - With Tuesday's election approaching, 9th Congressional District candidates Blaine Luetkemeyer and Judy Baker debated the economy, health care and energy Tuesday night at Truman State University.

Throughout the debate, the candidates' contrasted their respective approaches to the issues.

Baker, the Democratic candidate, used several anecdotes about personal experiences with voters to explain her policy plans. Luetkemeyer, her Republican rival, focused on his experience in government and knowledge of the issues.

"She is more charismatic," said Kailey Burger, a junior at Truman State who supports Baker. "She really knows what we are going through and what we are interested in."

Other students agreed about Baker's performance.

"I thought Baker had more personality," said Josh Dunlop, a Truman State junior who supports Luetkemeyer. "However, I thought Luetkemeyer had much more practical solutions. I think concept-wise he knew what he was talking about, but his presentation was not quite there."

Both candidates spoke about the general theme of reform and changing Washington. Luetkemeyer, who called Congress "broken," criticized the Democratic leadership.

"Right now, the leadership in Congress doesn't want to drill or permit any nuclear refineries," he said.

Baker, on the other hand, referenced her interactions with voters who wanted change.

"Everywhere I go, I hear about the need for change," she said. "I feel a great want for change from Missourians and Americans."

About halfway through the debate, Luetkemeyer directly addressed a campaign ad, which claims that Luetkemeyer's support for a bill in 2004, while he was a state representative, would have removed requirements on health insurance companies to cover certain procedures including coverage for mammograms.

Luetkemeyer said the ad, paid for by Baker's campaign, said his health care plan implies that he "was killing children," which drew reactions from the crowd of approximately 100 people.

"You have maligned me on TV with numerous and vicious personal attacks on me and my family at a time where my family is going through a situation of dealing with cancer," Luetkemeyer said. "That is awful, and I can only say what my mother said: Shame on you, Judy Baker."

Sarah Torbert, a Truman State freshman who said she is an independent politically, said she thought Luetkemeyer's comment went too far.

"I don't think that was appropriate," Torbert said. "I know that if I was in a debate, then I wouldn't say something like that."

However, Dunlop thought Luetkemeyer was sticking up for his family.

"To me, that was positive," Dunlop said. "He was standing up to himself, and that is the candidate I want to see in office."

The economy was a large issue in the debate. Baker said the bailout bill passed by Congress last month should have focused more on the middle class.

"What amazed me is when the economic crisis hit Wall Street, all the sudden they hit the panic button," Baker said. "But what I hear from average Missourians is that the economic crisis hit years ago."

Meanwhile, Luetkemeyer tied the economic slowdown to the energy debate. He focused on his recently unveiled economic plan, which ties together his energy and economic proposals, such as domestic drilling and renewing and expanding the Bush tax cuts.

Luetkemeyer also focused on the national debt.

"I think you grow your way out of this," he said. "We need to stop spending money we don't have and prioritize the budget."