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Third Dist. candidates say they'll buck their own parties
In one of their last debates, Republican Paulsen and DFLer Madia criticized their party representatives. Independent Dillon called for change in Congress.
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In one of their final debates before the Nov. 4 elections, the three candidates to replace retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad in the Third Congressional District painted themselves as maverick independents within their own parties.
As they sought to distinguish themselves Wednesday, they agreed they would buck their respective parties by "restoring fiscal discipline to Congress."
Republican Erik Paulsen, a former Majority leader of the Minnesota House, and Democratic candidate Ashwin Madia both criticized their party representatives in Congress for passing economic stimulus checks to taxpayers. Paulsen called the checks short-sighted, and Madia said it added to burgeoning deficits.
Independence Party candidate David Dillon said his victory would send a message that Congress needs to remove itself from a problem "directly laid at feet of partisan politics and special interest money."
"If Minnesota sends an independent to Congress the whole country will sit up and take notice," said Dillon, a printing company executive.
The debate at Edina High School was sponsored by Debate Minnesota.
In perhaps the most distinctive exchange of the 90-minute event, Paulsen said he would not rule out pre-emptive military action against rogue nations but emphasized the need for renewed cooperation with U.S. allies.
"The U.S. should never leave any option off the table," he said. "It has to be an effort engaged upon by other world leaders and traditional allies."
Most closely watched race
Dillon said diplomatic efforts have failed in countries such as Iran and suggested imposing economic sanctions similar to those levied previously against South Africa. "Clearly economic strength is our only good choice," Dillon said.
Madia, who served as a Marine in Iraq, was critical of an aggressive approach to intervention.
"Of course the U.S. has to have the ability to defend itself. My problem with the Bush doctrine is it ignored so many other lessons from history. You go in with overwhelming force to do the job and a clear exit strategy. The military option ought to be the last option," he said.
The race has become one of the most closely watched and heavily financed of any open seat in the country. The Third Congressional District includes much of the Twin Cities' western suburbs.
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
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