Debate Deliberations

by Greg Girard

North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District is up for grabs on Nov. 4 , as it is every two years, and the two candidates vying to represent us in the House of Representatives faced off at the Pinehurst Resort in front of a room full of bankers and reporters. The North Carolina Bankers Association hosted the event that pitted incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., against challenger Clay Aiken of “American Idol” fame.

Ellmers was first elected in 2010 and is looking to return to D.C. for a third term. Prior to elected office, Ellmers was a registered nurse for 21 years, eventually working with her husband, Dr. Brent Ellmers, at their General Surgery practice. Born and raised in Michigan, Ellmers resides in Harnett county. She serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and is chairwomen of the Republican Women’s Policy Committee.

Born and raised in Raleigh, Aiken is best known for finishing second in the 2002 season of “American Idol.” Before the instant stardom, Aiken was a teacher of autistic children and camp counselor at the YMCA. Aiken has since gone on to enjoy a successful singing career as well as becoming involved in several charitable initiatives, including the National Inclusion Project and as an UNICEF ambassador of education programs.

OK, there’s the short and sweet on backgrounds of the two candidates. As for the debate, it was much of what you would expect. Party lines, for the most part, with Aiken trying to push the renegade, no-party-can-hold-me-down angle. Things did get testy though, so it made for some fun in between the rhetoric. A few thoughts and observations ….

---

a.    WRAL news anchor David Crabtree moderated and he did a good job. His time management could have been better at times, as the last few questions felt a bit rushed.

b.    Aiken, in a light gray suit with red tie, strolled into the conference room about 15 minutes early, surveyed the room and waited for Ellmers to arrive. There was a bit of anxiousness in his demeanor.

c.    Ellmers marched in confident, in a red suit, looking ready to push her agenda.

d.    There was an uncomfortable five minutes of silent waiting before the debate began. Even though the debate was being taped, I guess they wanted to start exactly at 11:30. Only sound in the room was the headset guy counting down the minutes.

e.    First up - foreign policy. Aiken starts and is talking fast - a little nervous energy on display. Mentions U.S. shouldn’t be the world’s police, doesn’t want to be sending “GI Joe soldiers” into every conflict and says no to troops on the ground in Syria or Iraq. Ellmers takes first dig at Obama and quotes Reagan, “Peace through strength.”

f.     Here we go. First attack! Aiken slams Ellmers for changing her mind on sending in ground troops - says she “changed her tune” and is just following the Republican leadership in Washington. Ellmers doesn’t back down. Calls Aiken an “entertainer,” and not in a flattering way. Won’t be the last time she uses it. Ouch.

g.    Talking military budgets now. Ellmers lacking a little substance in her answer, Aiken calls out Ellmers on sequestration and sending money away from Fort Bragg.

---

h.    Looking around the room, and there are bankers. A lot of bankers.

i.      Aiken seems calmer now, attacks Ellmers again on her voting record.

j.      Started to get seriously cold in the room about halfway through. They cranked it down just before the debate began to keep the candidates cool under the lights. Should have worn a sweater. 

k.    Aiken says, “Most embarrassing reality show right now is Congress.” Nice sound bite.

l.      Aikens slips, starts talking about votes in the Senate. Rambles a bit and Ellmers reminds him she’s in the House of Representatives. Touche.

m.   Ellmers wants to take money from foreign aid and redirect it to assisting illegal immigrant children. Says illegals will not be allowed citizenship, then back tracks. I’m now confused. Not sure where she stands.

n.    Ellmers says children coming across border really want to go home. Huh?

---

o.    Aiken makes another Senate/House gaffe, Ellmers pounces. Aiken snaps back that he doesn’t need a civics lesson.

p.    Aiken’s answer to amnesty … “I don’t know.” Thinking he really should know. Just saying.

q.    Aiken tries to go rogue, says he’s “not beholden to a party or a House Speaker.” Crabtree calls him on it, says it will be tough not to work within your own party, i.e., don’t pull that here with me. Nice.

r.     Ellmers has it out for Harry Reid and the Senate. Basically absolves House of all blame for gridlock in Congress. Scrambling a bit to defend partisanship. It’s not working.

s.     Ellmers: “This Obama/Aiken economy is killing us.” Raises the hackles on Aiken. He responds that the comment is “preposterous.”

t.      Health Care Act gets both candidates going … Ellmers admits it can’t be repealed but calls for reform. Aiken pulls out the standard political debate stratagem … “I was talking to (insert ‘regular joe’ here) and he is struggling ….” 

---

u.    Crabtree asks about cyber security. Not much debate on this one … it’s important. Then Ellmers says young people are most concerned with cyber security. Really? Thinking anyone with a credit card or social security number is equally concerned.

v.    Gay marriage gets discussed. And … wait for it … there’s the hot potato being tossed around vigorously. Crabtree lets them off easy and moves on.

w.   Guns! Both support the second amendment. Both support mental health reform. 

x.    Ellmers' close: Send me back. I’ll be a leader.

y.    Aiken’s close: He’s tired. Tired of sending people back to Washington who say the same thing every two years while nothing gets done.  

z.     Debate ends. Polite clapping from bankers. Thought I was at the U.S. Open again for a second. Media are then ushered out the service exit and forced to march single-file toward the front lobby. A few minutes by each candidate in front of the cameras and then the crowd dispersed.

---

---

Don’t forget to vote on Nov. 4. To learn more about the candidates positions, go to their websites.

clayaiken.com
reneeforcongress.com