|
|
Published July 23, 2008 11:49 pm - SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof fought back in a Wednesday night debate against what he derided as a “relentless, constant barrage of attack” by Republican gubernatorial rival Sarah Steelman, countering her portrayal of him as a big spender by casting her as an ally of Big Oil.
Missouri: Republican gubernatorial debate gets testy
The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof fought back in a Wednesday night debate against what he derided as a “relentless, constant barrage of attack” by Republican gubernatorial rival Sarah Steelman, countering her portrayal of him as a big spender by casting her as an ally of Big Oil.
The televised debate, coming less than two weeks before the Aug. 5 primary election, provided some of the most testy exchanges so far in a campaign in which Steelman generally has been on the offensive.
Steelman, the state treasurer, has pounded on two themes in recent weeks — criticizing Hulshof for supporting wasteful spending earmarks in Congress and calling for a repeal of the state’s ethanol mandate.
Hulshof countered Wednesday by questioning some of Steelman’s own prior actions as a state senator, suggesting she backed anti-consumer utility legislation and effectively killed a nursing home abuse bill in 2000 by insisting on a provision that would have boosted nursing home payments by $133 million.
He asserted Steelman was buying into the spin of “multinational big oil companies” who are “trying to lay the energy woes of the nation on ethanol.”
Steelman replied: “I don’t buy into Big Oil. I buy into the free market system in this country that has always worked.”
She thanked Hulshof for raising the nursing home issue, saying her actions were “intended to make sure we were providing quality care to our nursing home residents in this state.”
The utility legislation, which allowed electric companies to more easily pass on the cost of fuel increases to consumers, was intended to let the state regulatory process work “in a way that would more accurately capture costs,” Steelman said.
The winner of the Republican primary is expected to face Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon in the November gubernatorial election. Hulshof and Steelman are running because Republican Gov. Matt Blunt stunned supporters and foes alike by announcing in January that he will not seek re-election.
Hulshof and Steelman both have placed a campaign emphasis on southwest Missouri, traditionally the most Republican part of the state. In the 2004 gubernatorial election, for example, Springfield’s home of Greene County provided more than one-third of Blunt’s winning vote margin over Democrat Claire McCaskill.
On Wednesday, each Republican candidate claimed the conservative mantle, and each cited the other’s campaign contributions while questioning his or her resolve against embryonic stem cell research.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|