The major party candidates running in Iowa’s second congressional district this year met in their first debate of the season Thursday evening.
Both Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack and Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks agreed congress is dysfunctional. Miller-Meeks says Loebsack is part of the problem because he moves in “lock-step” with President Obama. Loebsack says he’s worked with Republicans on a number of key issues.
Both said economic sanctions are the appropriate response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the two discussed the rise of Islamic militants who’ve taken control of parts of Syria and Iraq. Miller-Meeks faults President Obama for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq in December of 2011. Loebsack says the country was “war weary” when Obama made the call.
On domestic issues, Miller-Meeks said congress must address the growing number of states allowing marijuana to be used as medicine. Loebsack chimed in on the issue as well, saying simply that he’s in favor of medical marijuana. However, neither embraced the idea of going the next step and making marijuana a legal drug for everyone, just like alcohol.
Miller-Meeks said the Affordable Care Act has not made insurance more affordable, but she did not call for repealing the bill. Loebsack accused Miller-Meeks of flip flopping from her positions on the issue in previous campaigns. Miller-Meeks has twice before run against Loebsack, losing in 2008 and 2010.
Thursday’s debate was held at City High in Iowa City and broadcast live on Iowa Public Television.
