WCVE Forum July 29: Kaine-Allen Debate at the Homestead

Deficit control took center stage as two former Virginia governors running for U.S. Senate, Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen, debated at the Homestead resort in Hot Springs on July 21, 2012.

The Virginia race is one of the closest in the nation and has the potential to dermine the balance of power in the Senate. Polls show Kaine and Allen locked in a statistical dead heat for the seat being vacated by Sen. Jim Webb. Allen is trying to win back the seat he lost to Webb six years ago and overcame three opponents in a Republican primary last June. Kaine, who also served as Democratic National Committee chair, was unopposed for his party’s nomination.

Kaine called for a balanced approach of letting the Bush tax cuts expire for those earning more than $500,000 and targeted spending reductions. “If we make cuts that are going to fall hardest on lower and middle income people, those at the top end ought to be around the table too as we’re trying to solve this deficit issue.”

Allen said he would vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which Kaine supports, and push for comprehensive tax reform. “I am proposing 20 percent. Some are proposing higher--some lower, but I think there’s a basis for consensus and I want to be at the table hammering it out to get America more competitive for investment and jobs.”

The debate was sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association. The moderator was Candy Crowley of CNN.

Tune in to WCVE Public Radio, Sunday at 6:06 p.m. for WCVE Forum to hear the unedited debate or listen online here.