subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Fri, Nov 27 2009 

Published September 12, 2008 12:22 am - COLUMBIA, Mo. — Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon and Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof squared off in their first debate Thursday, clashing over campaign finance limits and how best to help students afford rising higher education costs.

Missouri: Gubernatorial candidates square off



The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon and Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof squared off in their first debate Thursday, clashing over campaign finance limits and how best to help students afford rising higher education costs.

The forum also included Libertarian Andy Finkenstadt and Constitution Party candidate Gregory Thompson. The debate on the University of Missouri campus was hosted by the Missouri Press Association and occurred in conjunction with a celebration of the centennial of the university’s school of journalism.

Only once did an exchange prompt the debate moderator to call for a rebuttal, when the candidates discussed campaign contribution limits. During that exchange, Hulshof noted that although he would have signed into law the repeal of the limits that Gov. Matt Blunt did sign, he prefers a plan he previously outlined to reinstate the limits with greater reporting requirements.

Nixon, raising his voice, responded: “He doesn’t get it both ways. ... He doesn’t get the opportunity to stand here in front of you and say he supports limits when he said he would sign the bill ending campaign limits.

“That may be the way they work in Washington, but in Jeff City and Missouri, that’s not the doublespeak we operate under.”

After the debate, Hulshof said the current system, without limits, is better than the previous one with limits in which big donors funneled money through various committees to get around them. Asked if he would seek to restore limits if elected governor, he suggested he would.

Also asked afterward, Nixon told reporters he would introduce legislation next year to reinstate limits.

The candidates were asked about the problem of helping families deal with rising college costs. Nixon touted his “Missouri Promise” plan that would offer students who get good grades and perform community service the chance for four years of free college tuition.

But Hulshof criticized the plan because it requires students to begin at a community college before moving on to a university.

“We shouldn’t pick community colleges at the expense of four-year institutions,” Hulshof said.

Hulshof’s higher education plan would increase the amount of money for financial needs scholarships, with a portion dedicated to students focusing on math and science.

Otherwise, there were few fireworks.

“I want to put out on the table that I have high regard for the attorney general,” said Hulshof, who briefly worked under Nixon in the attorney general’s office before being elected as Missouri’s 9th District congressman in 1996. “But isn’t the greatness of our country the ability to hold someone in regard and yet be able to aggressively disagree with them, and distance yourselves or define yourselves and your positions?”

Both Hulshof, 50, and Nixon, 52, said the state was at a “crossroads.” Hulshof made references to problems he said were created during Democrat Bob Holden’s administration. Nixon took several jabs at Blunt, who decided early this year not to seek a second term.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Announcements


Click here to VOTE!!

Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!


Featured Jobs

TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED

for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930.
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE

2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>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

1979 SATURN
GOOD Economical car, 1979 Saturn, $2000 firm, cash only. (620)783-1751....>MORE

YAMAHA PSR-GX76
76 key keyboard, new in box, sustain petal and music stand, paid $324, sell for $175. 417-434-0925...>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

TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE

FORD, 1997 F150
V8, automatic, extended cab, high miles, $2600. (417)214-0145....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

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

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE

525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO

to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double
...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

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

DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE

SCHNAUZERS
one white puppy, one registered silver adult female, one white adult male. (417)437-0300....>MORE

YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE

ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE

(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE

I WANT TO BUY
6’ t-post, 5’ wire. Call for details. (417)396-1339...>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

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition