2008 Woodie Awards
Senator hopefuls sound off on controversial issues
Katie Broderick and Kim Hunigan
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: News
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By Katie Broderick and
Kim Hunigan
Managing Editor and Features Editor
Bob Corker and Harold Ford Jr. agree on one thing: that their views could not be any more different.
In the second debate between the Senate hopefuls held Oct. 10 in the UC auditorium, audience members asked the candidates a variety of questions ranging from abortion to education to illegal immigration.
Amid personal jabs about each other's family, friends, occupation and lifestyle, the pair attempted to outline their strategies.
Corker noted he was "thrilled to be back in his hometown" and reflected on "living the Tennessee life" as mayor of Chattanooga.
One of the major issues he stressed was what to do about the war in Iraq.
"Obviously it is not going well, and we need a new strategy. I think we need to disarm the militia … and focus on the hot spots like Baghdad," Corker said. "We also need to listen less to the people in Washington and allow the people on the ground to do what needs to be done."
Ford, on the other hand, said he believes "staying the course" is the wrong decision and decentralizing the three regions in Iraq would greatly reduce sectarian violence.
"Our model for Iraq should be Bosnia - the idea of living apart but together," Ford said. "Their casualty level is far less ... We can't force changes, but we can help facilitate.
"If you want to stay the course, then I'm not your guy," Ford said. "If you believe America is better than what they've given us this past six years, then I ask you for your vote."
The candidates also shared their views on energy and gas prices.
Ford said he supports drilling in Alaska. He argued, "You can't win a war if you pay both sides at the same time."
Being dependent on foreign oil also puts a drag on the economy and keeps men facing the prospect of fighting in the war, he said.
He advocated that America can "grow its way out" through alternative fuels produced by farming, and mentioned Oak Ridge laboratories as leading the research curve.
Kim Hunigan
Managing Editor and Features Editor
Bob Corker and Harold Ford Jr. agree on one thing: that their views could not be any more different.
In the second debate between the Senate hopefuls held Oct. 10 in the UC auditorium, audience members asked the candidates a variety of questions ranging from abortion to education to illegal immigration.
Amid personal jabs about each other's family, friends, occupation and lifestyle, the pair attempted to outline their strategies.
Corker noted he was "thrilled to be back in his hometown" and reflected on "living the Tennessee life" as mayor of Chattanooga.
One of the major issues he stressed was what to do about the war in Iraq.
"Obviously it is not going well, and we need a new strategy. I think we need to disarm the militia … and focus on the hot spots like Baghdad," Corker said. "We also need to listen less to the people in Washington and allow the people on the ground to do what needs to be done."
Ford, on the other hand, said he believes "staying the course" is the wrong decision and decentralizing the three regions in Iraq would greatly reduce sectarian violence.
"Our model for Iraq should be Bosnia - the idea of living apart but together," Ford said. "Their casualty level is far less ... We can't force changes, but we can help facilitate.
"If you want to stay the course, then I'm not your guy," Ford said. "If you believe America is better than what they've given us this past six years, then I ask you for your vote."
The candidates also shared their views on energy and gas prices.
Ford said he supports drilling in Alaska. He argued, "You can't win a war if you pay both sides at the same time."
Being dependent on foreign oil also puts a drag on the economy and keeps men facing the prospect of fighting in the war, he said.
He advocated that America can "grow its way out" through alternative fuels produced by farming, and mentioned Oak Ridge laboratories as leading the research curve.
