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>>> WELCOME TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC'S
CONTINUING COVERAGE OF ELECTION 2012.
THIS IS THE DEBATE FOR NORTH
DAKOTA'S LONE HOUSE SEAT, WE
HAVE REPUBLICAN KEVIN KRAMER AND DEMOCRAT PAM GULLESON.
BASED ON A COIN FLIP WE HAVE ONE MINUTE OPENING STATE.
, KEVIN KRAMER GOES FIRST.
>> THANK YOU, MATT, FOR LENDING YOUR SUPPORT AND THANKS FOR
PRAIRIE PUBLIC AND AARP.
WE THANK PRAIRIE PUBLIC, I SAY ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF PUBLIC
LIFE IS THE PUBLIC AND I APPRECIATE MY OPPONENT'S
WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DEBATE AND SEVERAL OTHERS,
TO MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE WE ARE ASKING FOR A
JOB, THE TOUGH JOB, ASKING FOR THE ONLY SEAT IN THE U.S. HOUSE
OUT OF NORTH DAKOTA.
WE ARE LIVING IN IMPORTANT TIMES IN OUR COUNTRY, WHILE WE SIT
HERE IN NORTH DAKOTA, A BIT OF AN ECONOMIC OASIS WITH LOTS OF
JOBS, WEALTH CREATION AND OPPORTUNITY, WE ALSO KNOW THAT
THE REST OF THE COUNTRY ISN'T ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF A GOOD
ECONOMY LIKE WE ARE HERE IN NORTH DAKOTA.
I DON'T -- I THINK AMERICA NEEDS
TODAY WHAT NORTH DAKOTA HAS TO OFFER MORE THAN IT EVER HAS
BEFORE, I BELIEVE I CAN DELIVER
THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS HALF HOUR DEBATE OF DISCUSSING
THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES.
>> PAM GULLESON, ONE MINUTE OPENING.
>> THANK YOU TO KEVIN, GREAT TO SEAT YOU AGAIN IN ONE OF THESE
DEBATES.
THANKS TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC AND AARP FOR PROVIDING THIS OPTY FOR
ALL OF US, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL ALL OVER
NORTH DAKOTA, I'VE BEEN TO
ALMOST 90 COMMUNITIES, HEARING FROM NORTH DAKOTANS AND WHAT IS
IMPORTANT, ONE IN ALL SAY THE SAME, THOUSAND HE WANT OUR
CONGRESS TO COME TOGETHER, TO SOLVE THE BIG CHALLENGES.
WE KNOW WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE DEFICIT, WE KNOW WE HAVE TO
START BALANCING OUR BUDGET AND SOLVING THE CHALLENGES AROUND
SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND WE CAN DO THAT.
I GREW UP ON A DAIRY FARM, I KNOW ALL ABOUT HARD WORK, I KNOW
ABOUT GETTING THE JOB DONE.
MY HUSBAND BILL AND I CONTINUE TO FARM TODAY WITH OUR THREE
SONS, WE ARE BLESSED EACH AND EVERY DAY TO BE WORKING WITH
THEM.
SO, AS I ENTER THIS RACE, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR ME,
IT'S MY FAMILY, IT'S EVERYBODY'S
FAMILY, IT'S ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA
AND IT'S ABOUT WHAT IS GOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY.
>> OKAY, THAT'S ONE MINUTE, THANKS PAM, THANKS, KEVIN.
PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE HOUSE
REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING,
GRID LOCK, IF ELECTED HOW DO EACH OF YOU PROPOSE TO FIGHT
THIS ATMOSPHERE, KNOWING TOWING THE LINE IS PART OF IT.
PAM, GO FIRST.
>> I WAS A LONG TIME LEGISLATOR,
SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 16
YEARS, THERE'S A TIME TO DEBATE,
TIME TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES BUT THERE IS A TIME TO COME
TOGETHER.
THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO AGAIN.
I THINK OF THE BIG, BIG CHALLENGES WE FACE, WE SAW A
YEAR AGO IN AUGUST AS WE TRIED TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE GREATEST
CHALLENGES, WHICH IS THE DEFICIT, PEOPLE STEPPED AWAY
FROM THE TABLE, THEY REFUSED TO COME TOGETHER AND SOLVE THOSE
BIG CHALLENGES.
WE SIMPLY CANNOT DO THAT, WE DO
HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE DONE SO WELL IN THE STATE.
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GROW OUR ECONOMY, WE'VE BALANCED OUR
BUDGET, I'VE BEEN PART OF THAT
AS A LEGISLATOR AND I WILL DO IT AGAIN IN CONGRESS.
>> YOUR RESPONSE?
>> I THINK YOU RAISE AN INNING POINT, DIVIDED CONGRESS, BUT I
WILL REMIND IN 2008 PRESIDENT
OBAMA CAME INTO OFFICE WITH A
LARGE PERCENTAGE, THEY HAD THE LEGISLATURE, HE CAME WITH ALL
KIND OF EXPENSIVE LEGISLATION AND PEOPLE THOUGHT MAYBE NOT.
WE DEMAND SOME LEADERSHIP TO BRING US BACK TOGETHER UNDER
SOME COMMON GOALS AND THAT IS REALLY THE JOB OF THE PRESIDENT
AS MUCH AS ANYTHING.
AND EACH MEMBER OF CONGRESS BACK IN THEIR HOME DISTRICT AND IN
THEIR HOME STATE.
HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK THE FRUSTRATION OF THIS COUNTRY IS
WARRANTED AND I THINK THEY ARE
GOING TO DEPLANNED IT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING THERE WITH A
CHEERFUL DISPOSITION WITH STRONG IDEAS, STRONG CONVICTION AND
STRONG PRINCIPLES BUT ONE THING I'VE DONE, MATT, IN THIS
ELECTION CYCLE IS I'VE SHOWN PEOPLE I'M WILLING TO STEP AWAY
FROM MY PARTY AND BE AN INDEPENDENT VOICE AND
DEMONSTRATE IT WHEN I THINK IT'S
IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CONSTITUENTS.
>> PAM?
>> WHAT I HEAR HERE IS THE SAME,
WE HAVE THESE EXTREMIST GROUPS THAT HAVE COME TO WASHINGTON
D.C., MEMBERS OF THE TEA PARTY,
MY MEMBER IS A MEMBER, CLUB FOR GROWTH.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGN THE PLEDGE, MY OPPONENT HAS SIGNED THAT
PLEDGE.
THE ONLY PLEDGE I WILL SIGN IS TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH DAKOTA
AND THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
THAT IS WHAT HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM, SUCH PARTISAN GRID
LOCK, PEOPLE NOT WILLING TO STEP
AWAY FROM DEEP SEEDED IDEOLOGY AND PUT COUNTRY FIRST, THAT IS
CAUSING CHALLENGES, WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE, REMIND
OURSELVES THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A
PLACE FOR DEBATE BUT AT THE END
OF THE DAY WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, COME TO THE TABLE AND
MAKE DECISIONS THAT WORK FOR THIS COUNTRY.
>> KEVIN, KRAMER, LAST WORD AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON.
>> THERE ARE LOTS OF GROUPS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAVE A SAY,
BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT DEMOCRACY, EVERYBODY HAS A SAY, YOU GET
INVOLVED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
UNFORTUNATELY WE ONLY HAVE 50%
VOTER TURN OUT, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE 100%.
EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT IT.
WE SHOULD NOT BE SO SCARED OF RIGOROUS DISCUSSION AND DEBATE
AND DISAGREEMENT FROM TIME TO TIME.
HAVING SAID THAT I THINK AMERICA
LONGS FOR THE DAYS OF BOB DOLE,
RONALD REAGAN, TIPP O'NEAL, IF
THEY DIDN'T LIKE EACH OTHER THEY RESPECTED EACH OTHER.
I BRING MY KNOWLEDGE OF BEING INDEPENDENT WHEN THAT IS WHAT IS
NEEDED, TO BE A TEAM BUILDER.
>>> OUR NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM AARP OF NORTH DAKOTA.
WHAT PROPOSALS IN WASHINGTON TO MODIFY SOCIAL SECURITY AND
MEDICARE THE MOST CONCERNED AND DO YOU FAVOR THEM?
>> THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND
MEDICARE, WHILE THEY ARE SIMILAR
MEDICARE IS MORE NEEDED, IT WILL
BE INSOLVENT IN 12 YEARS SO WE HAVE MORE TO DEAL WITH.
ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE PROPOSALS, I LIKE THE IDEA
DRAWING A LINE, PEOPLE SAY 55,
55 IS FINE, I'M HAPPY WITH 50 OR 52, LET'S DRAW THAT LINE AND
ASSURE PEOPLE WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE NOTHING WILL ASSURE
FOR YOU, YOU CAN HAVE MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY AS YOU KNOW
IT.
THEN BELOW THAT LINE I THINK WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO IS HAVE
CHOICES, ONE OF THE CHOICES OUGHT TO BE MEDICARE AS YOU KNOW
IT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS BICKERING, FIGHTING AND THIS
DIVISIVENESS OVER WE WILL LOSE THIS PROGRAM.
I LIKE THAT.
THE OTHER THING I LIKE IN SOME OF THE PROPOSALS I'VE HEARD
ABOUT IS I LIKE CONSUMER CHOICE, THAT'S WHY WITH YOUNGER
GENERATIONS THAT AREN'T APPROACHING THAT RETIREMENT AGE
NOW, LET'S GIVE THEM CHOICES, CONSUMER CHOICE HELPS BRING DOWN
COSTS.
>> PAM GULLESON.
>> TWO OF THE PROPOSALS THAT CONCERN ME IS THE VOUCHER
PROPOSAL, TAKING AWAY THE GUARANTEE FOR MEDICARE AND
MOVING IT INTO A VOUCHER PROGRAM.
I THINK IT PUTS OUR SENIOR SIT CITIZENS IN REALLY SUCH A
VULNERABLE POSITION.
IF YOU SEE WHERE MEDICARE GOT STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE,
HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES DON'T
WANT TO NECESSARILY INSURE OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.
THAT'S NOT A POPULATION THAT HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES
COMPETE FOR.
SO THE GUARANTEE FOR MEDICARE, THE GUARANTEE OUR SENIORS HAVE
CONTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THEIR WORK LIFE IS SO IMPORTANT, SO
THAT IS A PROPOSAL FOR ME IS DEEPLY CONCERNING.
WITH REGARDS TO SOCIAL SECURITY,
I DON'T SUPPORT PRIVATEIZATION, I THINK WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN
SOCIAL SECURITY AND GET MORE PEOPLE BACK IN THE SYSTEM.
WE NEED TO GROW THE ECONOMY, GET PEOPLE BACK WORKING, STOP
RAIDING THE TRUST FUNDS, ALLOW THOSE DOLLARS TO STAY WITH THE
PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN IT AND THEN LOOK AT OTHER ALTERNATIVES
TO STRENGTHEN THAT PROGRAM.
BUT IT'S TOO RISKY.
WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S
RETIREMENT GO DOWN CONSIDER EANL.
WET CAN'T PUT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AT RISK.
>> KEVIN KRAMER, A RESPONSE.
>> I CERTAINLY AGREE, WE HAVE WATCH THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S
RETIREMENTS GO DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AND THEN BOUNCE BACK UP.
BUT THE NATION HAS A $16
TRILLION DEBT UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I'M NOT SURE WHO I
TRUST WITH MY RETIREMENT, IT'S NOT THE GOVERNMENT.
SOCIAL SECURITY IS A LITTLE MORE
SOLVENT, IT'S MORE LIKE 22 YEARS OR 24 YEARS.
WE HAVE A $16 TRILLION DEFICIT,
WE HAVE BEEN BORROWING FROM IT,
WE HAVE TO LOCK THAT UP.
I LIKE AN OPTION ONLY, LET'S
REMEMBER, OBAMACARE TOOK $17
BILLION OUT OF MEDICARE MAKING THE INSOLVENCY QUICKER.
MEDICARE IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS, CURRENT MEDICARE PROGRAMS THAT
IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS.
WHAT IF YOU FOUND AN OPTION
LESS, YOU COULD TAKE THE PREMIUM AND KEEP THE DIFFERENCE.
IF YOU FIND A HIGHER LEVEL, YOU PAY THE DIFFERENCE.
CHOICE, CONSUMER CHOICE ALWAYS BRINGS DOWN THE COST.
>> FINE RAL WORK, PAM GULLESON.
>> I'M NOT WILLING TO PUT THE NATION'S DEBT ON THE BACK OF OUR
SENIOR SIT ACCIDENTALS.
IT WON'T BE ON THESE VITAL
PROGRAMS TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.
IT GIVES THEM HEALTHCARE SECURITY, THERE IS MUCH BETTER
WAYS TO APPROACH IT.
JUST A FACT CHECK ON THE 17.6
BILLION, THAT MONEY GOT PLOWED RIGHT BACK DIRECTLY INTO
BENEFITS TO SUPPORT MEDICARE PROGRAM ITSELF, THIS IS
IMPORTANT.
IT'S THE SAME THING THAT PAUL RYAN WHO MY OPPONENT SUPPORTS
HIM AND HIS BUDGET, THAT'S WHAT HE DID AS PART OF HIS BUDGET,
THAT DIDN'T PUT MEDICARE AT RISK, IT STRENGTHENINGED IT.
>> LET'S CONTINUE ON THIS.
KEVIN WILL GO NEXT, THAT IS THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACTOR OBAMACARE AS BOTH SIDES ARE REFERRING TO
IT, UPHELD BY THE SUPREME COURT AS CONSTITUTIONAL.
BOTH OF YOU HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON
THIS, WHAT PARTS DO YOU OPPOSE, WHICH WOULD YOU RETAIN,
STRENGTHEN OR REPEAL.
>> FIRST THE SUPREME COURT UP HELL IT NOT BECAUSE IT WAS A
GOOD LAW BUT BECAUSE IT WAS A TAX.
IT WAS DETERMINED IT WAS CONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT WAS A TAX.
WE HAVE THE TAX AND SPENDERS IN
CHARGE, IMPOSED THE TAX ON EVERY
CITIZEN, A TERRIBLE TAX ON THE JOB CREATORS.
WE HAVE LITERALLY STOPPED JOB GROWTH IN THIS COUNTRY AS A
RESULT OF OBAMA CARE.
WHAT DO I LIKE ABOUT IT?
THE THING I DISLIKE IS THE MANDATE ITSELF, I FINE IT TO BE
ABSOLUTELY OFFENSIVE TO THE SENSIBILITIES OF A FREE COUNTRY.
I LIKE THE FACT -- ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE THE MOST ABOUT IT
THAT I WOULD WANT TO RETAIN IS KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN ON YOUR
PLAN FOR A LITTLE LONGER AND THAT IS FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.
FOR ONE THING STUDENT TODAY, YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY GO THROUGH
SCHOOL LONGER, THEY LIVE AROUND HOME A LITTLE LONGER, THEY ARE
ALSO THE HEALTHIEST PART OF THE POPULATION, PROBABLY NOT A
TREMENDOUS BURDEN.
WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO ENSURE PEOPLE WITH
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP THEIR INSURANCE
OR TO TAKE THAT INSURANCE TO ANOTHER COMPANY OR PLAN IF THEY
MOVE ON, THAT'S FUNDAMENTAL IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE
WORLD.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AGAIN MORE
CONSUMER CHOICE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CAP ON SOME SORT OF
TORT REFORM, SOME CAP ON THE
HUGE AWARDS THAT ARE AWARDED BY TRIAL LAWYERS WHO SUPPORT MY
OPPONENT AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE SENSIBLE REGULATION.
FRANKLY THE PREMIUMS DKORS ARE HAVING TO PAY -- DOCTORS ARE
HAVING TO PAY BECOMES A REASON FOR SOME PEOPLE NOT TO GO INTO
MEDICINE AND WE HAVE TO DO AWAY WITH THAT.
CHOICE CAN BE DRIVEN BY PROVIDING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO KEEP THEIR MONEY.
SEE, WE HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, IT HAS TO BE MORE
BENEFICIAL --
>> I NEED A RESPONSE FROM PAM ON TIME.
YOUR RESPONSE.
>> YOU ARE RIGHT, HEALTHCARE COST IS THE NUMBER 1 REASON FOR
BANKRUPTCY IN THIS COUNTRY, THEY CONTINUE TO BE, WE CAN'T GO
FORWARD WITHOUT ADDRESSING THESE NEEDS.
THERE ARE LOTS OF PARTS OF THE
HEALTHCARE ACCOUNT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT BUT I THINK THERE ARE
STRONG PARTS IN THERE THAT I DO SUPPORT, I THINK COVERING
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.
ALMOST EVERY FAMILY HAS BEEN FACED WITH SOME SORT OF ILLNESS,
CHRONIC ILLNESS THAT HAS PUT THEM IN THE POSITION WHERE THEY
COULD POTENTIALLY BE DROPPED FROM THEIR HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.
IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE IT.
THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN THAT COVERS THE DOUGHNUT HOLE, THAT
IS IMPORTANT.
THE FRONTIER AMENDMENT FOR NORTH DAKOTA HOSPITAL, $650 MILLION
DIRECTLY TO COVER ADDITIONAL MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR OUR
HOSPITALS HAS BEEN VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ACROSS
BOTH AISLE HAVE FOUGHT FOR FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, WE NEED TO
PRESERVE THAT, BUT I AM CONCERNED, CONCERNED ABOUT THE
IMPACTS ON BUSINESSES AND SMALL
BUSINESSES, HOW WE ARE GOING TO
PAY FOR THIS PLAN LONG TERM AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL
BURDENS ON THEM.
WE WILL HAVE TO WATCH THAT VERY
CLOSELY AS WE ROLL OUT THIS AND
BE PREPARED TO ADDRESS THAT WITH REFORMS, I THINK, LONG TERM.
WE DON'T WANT TO IMPACT THE VERY
PEOPLE WE ARE HELPING GROW THIS ECONOMY WITH THIS HEALTHCARE
ACT.
>> KEVIN, A RESPONSE?
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNS ME, IN THE CURRENT
SYSTEM AND OBAMA CARE DID NOTHING TO IMPACT THIS, YOU
DON'T GET TO COLLECT INSURANCE UNLESS YOU GET SICK.
WE'VE CREATED THIS PERVERSE INCENTIVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR
INSTEAD OF STAYING HEALTHY.
WE NEED INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO STAY HEALTHY AND THEN SHOP FOR
HEALTHCARE WHETHER IT'S A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR SOMETHING
LIKE THAT ACTUALLY GIVES PEOPLE A CHOICE AND HELPS BRING DOWN
COSTS.
OBAMACARE IS A REQUIREMENT IF YOU HAVE 50 EMPLOYEES.
WHY WOULD YOU EMPLOY THE 50TH
PERSON IF A TAX KICKS IN.
ALSO YOU HAVE TAX IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO WORK 30 HOURS A WEEK.
PEOPLE WILL HIRE PEOPLE TO WORK 29 HOURS.
THEY SAY TO CATHOLIC CHURCH YOU
HAVE TO PAY FOR HEALTHCARE FOR YOUR PEOPLE, IT IS AN OUTRAGE
AND HOW LITTLE THIS
ADMINISTRATION HAS AGAINST THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
>> WE NEED THE FINAL COMMENT FROM PAM GULLESON.
>> I CAN'T THINK ABOUT THIS
WITHOUT HUMANIZING THIS.
MY NEIGHBOR DID EVERYTHING RIGHT, HE HAD A GOOD JOB, GOOD
BENEFITS, RETIREMENT, HE OWNED HIS OWN HOME.
AND ONE FALL DAY IN 2008 HE WAS STARTING HIS FURNACE, THE
FURNACE BLEW UP, HE EXPERIENCED SEVERE BURNS.
HE SPENT THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF IN THE ST. PAUL RAMSEY
MEDICAL CENTER.
EVEN WHILE HE WAS IN A COMA HE WENT THROUGH THE MILLION DOLLAR
CAP.
HE WENT THROUGH ALL OF HIS SAVINGS.
HE HAD TO DECLARE BANKRUPTCY AND, OF COURSE, HE LOST HIS
HOME.
THAT'S REAL.
ONE INCIDENT, ONE MEDICAL
EMERGENCY CAN CHANGE THE WHOLE FINANCIAL FOCUS OF THE FAMILY
FOREVER, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS IT.
THIS STARTS DOWN THAT ROAD AND I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO
DO.
>> LET'S MOVE TO NORTH DAKOTA
OCEANER GI 'S
ENERGY AND OIL INDUSTRY.
HOW WOULD YOU BE AN ADVOCATE, PAM GULLESON, YOU GO FIRST.
>> NORTH DAKOTA IS SO BLESSED TO
HAVE ALL OF THE ENERGY ACTIVITY WE HAVE, IT'S EVEN BEYOND MOST
OF OUR IMAGINATION OF JUST A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WE WOULD BE
FACING THE KIND OF ACTIVITY WE HAVE OUT WEST.
AND, SO, IT BRINGS US TREMENDOUS
OPPORTUNITIES BUT IT DOES BRING
CHALLENGES, IT BRINGS IMPACTS ON PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE AND
DON'T BENEFIT DIRECTLY.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THEM EVEN WHILE WE GROW
THIS FOR OUR ECONOMY.
THE NUMBER 1 THING WE NEED TO DO IS INCREASE OUR INVESTMENT.
WE NEED TO BE SPENDING MORE MONEY ON ROADS, MORE MONEY ON
EMERGENCY SERVICES, MAKING SURE
THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE HOUSING.
WHEN YOU READ THE HEAD LINE IN THE WILLISTON PAPER AS I DID
WHEN I WAS OUT THERE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND SENIOR CITIZENS
ARE GETTING NOTIFICATION THAT THEIR RENT IS TRIPLED OR BEING
EVICTED FROM THEIR HOUSING, THAT IS NOT OKAY.
IT'S UP TO US AS A STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA WHO IS BEEN FISHING
TREMENDOUSLY AND AS ALL LEADERS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING
THEM EVEN WHILE WE BENEFIT SO TREMENDOUSLY FROM THE JOBS AND
ECONOMIC IMPACTS FROM THISSENER GI ACTIVITY WE HAVE RIGHT HERE
IN THIS STATE.
>> KEVIN KRAMER, A RESPONSE.
>> ONE OF THE REASONS NORTH DAKOTA IS DOING SO WELL IN OIL
AND GAS IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF
OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AS WELL AS COAL, BY THE WAY, ARE UNDER
PRIVATE LAND AND BARACK OBAMA LOVES TO STAND UP AND TAKE THE
CREDIT WE HAVE GONE FROM 60%
DEPENDENCY TO 42% BECAUSE OF ALL THE OIL.
BUT ON ALL THE LAND HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCTION
HAS DROPPED.
LET ME TELL YOU WHAT SCARES ME,
IF MY OPPONENT WINS AND NANCY
PELOSI IS HEAD OF THE HOUSE, WE HAVE GOT TO KEEP THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT OUT OF IT.
HOW DO WE DEAL WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.
YOU ASK IS IT GOING TOO FAST?
IT ALWAYS DEPEND ON WHAT YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS, WHETHER YOU OWN
MINERAL RIGHTS, HOW LONG YOU
HAVE LIVED ON THE LAND, WHETHER YOU OWN THEM.
THERE IS A ROLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY HAVE TO SAY THERE IS A BENEFIT FOR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO HAVE ACTIVITY, WE
NEED TO GET MORE ROADS IN NORTH DAKOTA.
>> YOU GET ONE MORE ISSUE IN, THAT'S FARM BILL, RUNNING OUT OF
TIME, KEVIN, YOU WILL START ON THIS ONE.
THIS IS GREAT EXAMPLE OF INACTION, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED
WITH THE FARM BILL, WHAT ARE YOUR THROUGHOUT AND WHAT PARTS
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAVE OR KEEP AND WITH THE NATIONAL DEBT ARE
THERE SOMETHINGS THAT CAN BE DONE AWAY.
KEVIN CRAMER, YOU GO FIRST.
>> BECAUSE OF THE NATIONAL DEBT
BOTH HAVE CUT SUBSTANTIALLY, IF
EVERY FARM BILL WAS CUT AS WELL,
IF EVERY AGENCY WAS WILLING TO DO WHAT AGO EVERY CULL YOUR WAS
WILLING TO DO WE COULD GET A HANDLE ON THE DEFICIT.
I THINK THE MAIN THING A GOOD
FARM BILL HAS TO HAVE A ROW BUST
CROP BILL, THE BEST THING I'VE HEARD IS GIVE ME CROP INSURANCE
AND GET OUT OF MY WAY.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRES CONSERVATION, THAT'S THE VERSION
OF THE BILL MY OPPONENT SAYS SHE
SUPPORTS, SHE ASKED THE HOUSE TO PASS THE SENATE VERSION
IMMEDIATELY, THAT IS A NONSTARTER.
SO WE NEED TO GET BACK TO IT, THEY NEED TO GET IT DONE IN THE
LAME DUCK.
>> PALM GULLESON, YOUR RESPONSE?
>> IT'S ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH CONGRESS, WE WATCHED THE SENATE
PUT FORTH A BILL, BIPARTISAN WAY, VERY STRONG CUTS,
RESPONSIBLE CUTS, ELIMINATED DIRECT PAYMENTS, WE KNEW WE NO
LOCKER NEEDED BUT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, KEPT THE DISASTER
PAYMENT, THE REAL STRONG PARTS OF THE BILL.
THEN IT GETS OVER TO THE HOUSE, PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE AND
COMES TO THE FLOOR AND IT ALL COMES TO A STANDSTILL.
THIS IS WHERE THE EXTREME GROUPS
I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER MY OPPONENT IS ENDORSED, THAT GROUP
HAS PUT A HOLD ON THIS BILL, SAID THEIR MEMBERS -- IT'S A KEY
VOTE SO USE IT AGAINST THEM.
IF MY OPPONENT WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE FARM BILL HE WOULD HAVE
REACHED OUT TO THOSE LEADERS, TALKED ABOUT IT MONTHS ON.
HIS RESPONSE WHEN THE SENATE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DEBATING THE
ISSUE IS HE HADN'T GIVEN IT ANY THOUGHT.
LATER, A SECOND RESPONSE WAS HE DIDN'T SENSE ANY SENSE OF
URGENCY ABOUT THE FARM BILL.
I CAN TELL YOU A FIVE YEAR FARM
BILL IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THIS STATE, THERE IS AN
URGENCY.
WITH REGARDS TO THE CONSERVATION TITLE I DON'T SUPPORT THAT, I
THINK IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED TO GET THIS BILL INTO
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SO WE CAN NEGOTIATE AND GET THE
CONSERVATION PART OUT OF THE FARM BILL.
>> THE TIME IS OVER, WE HAVE TO
MOVE TO CLOSING STATEMENTS.
PAM GULLESON, YOU GO FIRST.
>> THANK YOU, MATT AND THANKS AGAIN TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC AND AARP
AND TO MY OPPONENT KEVIN CRAMER FOR BEING PART OF THIS TODAY.
ELECTIONS ARE ALWAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE, IT'S OUR OPPORTUNITY
EVERY TWO YEARS TO COME TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THE CRITICAL
ISSUES THAT FACE OUR COUNTRY WHICH IS WHAT WE DID HERE TODAY
BUT IT MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO JUST NOT TALK ABOUT IT.
WE NEED ACTION, WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING
TOGETHER, IN COMING TOGETHER,
SETTING ASIDE THESE PARTISAN AND POLITICAL DIFFERENCES AND BE
SERIOUS FORGETTING THE JOB DONE.
I CAN ASSURE YOU AS YOUR IN END
WERE OF CONGRESS THAT IS WHAT I
WILL DO, I WILL PUT NORTH DAKOTA AND AMERICA'S BEST INTEREST
AHEAD OF POLITICS.
>> KEVIN CRAMER.
>> THANKS, MATT, PRAIRIE PUBLIC AND AARP, THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE.
YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THE GREAT
HONOR REELECTING ME 2010 TO BE OVERSEEING ONE OF THE MOST
DYNAMIC ECONOMY COME THIS COUNTRY, ENVY OF MANY PEOPLE.
I TELL PEOPLE SAYING YOU COME FROM NORTH DAKOTA COMES WITH A
BRAND THAT MANY PEOPLE ADMIRE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKE BEING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN CONGRESS,
YOU CAN HAVE THIS ASSURANCE FROM ME, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO
WONDER WHERE I STAND AND WHERE I
AM, I WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
AND ACCESSIBLE, I PUT MY PERSONAL PHONE NUMBER, I LOVE
PUBLIC DEBATE LIKE THIS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS, I'VE BEEN
LITERALLY OVER HUNDRED OF THEM, I LOVE THE PUBLIC AND I SAY TO
PEOPLE AND POLITICIANS.
I SAY THE POLITICIAN THAT DOESN'T LET THE PUBLIC HAVE
ACCESS TO THEM, IT ROBS THE PUBLIC OF THE POLITICIAN BUT
ROBS THE POLITICIAN OF THE PUBLIC WISDOM.
>> THANK YOU TO KEVIN CRAMER, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE
U.S. HOUSE AND PAM GULLESON, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.
WE REMIND YOU ELECTION 2012
CONTINUES AND ELECTION DAY IS
NOVEMBER 6TH, SO LONG.