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Strickland, Jackson square off at Ventura College
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More from Local election newsIn a high stakes fight for the 19th District state Senate seat, Republican Tony Strickland squared off with Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson Friday night in a standing-room-only forum at Ventura College.
While sitting side by side before a crowd of about 200 in the college cafeteria, the two started on a congenial note, then traded barbs, responding to questions about the state budget shortfall, education and the environment.
In light of the 85-day state budget impasse this year, both were asked what they would do to repair the process so the budget is passed on time. Both said bipartisan cooperation was important but blamed the other's party for the lack of cooperation.
Jackson said negotiation was key. Strickland said he was in favor of redistricting reform and then said his opponent was part of a secret meeting that took place that created division among legislators, leading to a late state budget. Jackson said there was no secret meeting.
When asked how they viewed the role of government, Strickland said he is in favor of limited government, and one that is close to the people. Jackson said government should regulate the private sector when needed, citing the $700 billion bailout and predatory lenders as examples of what happens when the government fails.
"The government didn't do its job. It didn't regulate," Jackson said.
Strickland also blamed the federal government for the crisis behind the bailout, but he said bankers were acting on the government's idea of the American dream.
Debate had several sponsors
The town-hall-style debate was moderated by Joe Howry, editor and vice president of The Star, which was a sponsor of the event, along with Ventura College and CAPS TV. Another sponsor, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, endorsed Strickland earlier this week.
This was the second time the two candidates participated in a debate format together.
Strickland, 38, is a Moorpark resident and served three terms in the Assembly representing the 37th District from 1998 to 2004.
Jackson, 58, a Santa Barbara resident, served in the Assembly representing the 35th District, for the same six years.
While sitting inches from each other, they called each other "my opponent," often shifting in their seats, creating as much physical distance as the chairs would allow.
When asked about global warming, both candidates said they favor using and promoting alternative energy.
"I think the time is now," Jackson said. She said California should take the lead in alternative energy and had voted yes on bills that addressed the issue.
Strickland call for incentives
Strickland said he would like to have incentives, rewards and credits for people who promote and use alternative energy, while his opponent "wants fees, fines and penalties."
Jackson rebutted, saying he voted down alternative energy legislation, adding "he was a global warming denier when I was in the Legislature."
When asked how they would improve the state's educational system, Strickland said he would funnel more block grants to school districts and make sure the money went straight to the classroom. He said he would favor a bill that would give all K-12 teachers a tax credit so they could write off any out-of-pocket money they spend on school supplies.
"The system is too top-heavy," he said.
Jackson questions priorities
Jackson said she voted for a bill that offered the same tax credits for teachers when she was in the Assembly, while Strickland voted against it. She said the bill was suspended, while another was passed that gave tax credits to "yacht and plane owners."
"Where in the world are our priorities?" she asked.
The 19th District covers most of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
One of the two candidates will be elected to succeed Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, in a district that is seen by both parties as the most significant state Senate battleground in California.
The debate was broadcast live Friday night and will be replayed throughout October on CAPS TV.
— Staff writer Timm Herdt contributed to this report.
Posted by DamienCooper on October 4, 2008 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tremendous turnout for Strickland overwhelming his opponent...she definitely is the better orator...but we already knew that, she is a Lawyer after all. Came across as very smug where everything was about her. "Well I did this and I did that". Had a chance to convince me back to the Left but failed.
Posted by luv2sail on October 4, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JW, is there anyone on the Right that you agree with? Just curious because all of your posts seem to be slanted. Before you start your retort, I am registered as Independent and vote across party lines, choosing the person on their qualities not their affiliation.
Posted by luv2sail on October 4, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wasn't complaining, I was asking you a question. The question remains.
Posted by KatieTeague on October 4, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey JW - I'm a Republican too! Sounds like people are hungry to hear from the candidates. Were the questions all business releated (because it was a Chamber event)? Was the audience just West county?
Posted by opns on October 4, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jw - can you provide station, date and time of this tv telecast? Thanks in advance.
Posted by ironwoman on October 4, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would rather vote for Mickey Mouse than Jackson.
Posted by For1776 on October 4, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I attended the debate. The Strickland supporters did not outnumber the Jackson supporters, but they made their presence known through a very obnoxious "gentleman" who stood up and shouted at everyone when moderator Joe Howry tried to get Mr. Strickland to stop speaking out of turn. It seems Mr. Strickland is not much of a rule follower.
Jackson made her point on our sorry economy very effectively when she pointed out Strickland voted against legislation which would've regulated predatory mortgage lenders and then took money from them. That sold me.
The questions were very balanced.
Posted by sefanzed on October 4, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yipes. Mr. Strickland must not be too proud of his party affiliation. If you look at all of his literature and his website the word "republican" appears not at all (not counting the meta-data, an invisible descriptor for google and other search bots). I have a problem with someone who is afraid of what he stands for.
Posted by For1776 on October 4, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's an apt term for Ms. Jackson. She actually apparently got things done while in the Assembly. She listed many of her accomplishments at the debate. Strickland's legislation was pretty feeble: Reagan license plates, renaming highways, horse racing.
Posted by twbeem on October 4, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd rather vote for road kill than either of these two. Off the subject but was I the only one that was more impressed with the VP debate than the Presidential debate? I would feel better if Obama and McCain were the VP nominees.
Posted by moondoggie on October 4, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The debate was rather one sided. Jackson spoke of her accomplishments and highlighted Stricklands support for tobacco, insurance, gambling and big oil. Strickland never addressed the criticism and babbled his party mantra about tax and spend liberals. This same party mantra has screwed up our State and Federal budgets. Palin at least puts up a good front. Phony Tony looks like a high school kid who got a C- in debate. One could almost feel sorry for him.
Posted by jon on October 4, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tony now supports (but evidently didn't when he had the chance to) legislation allowing teachers to "write off" anything spent out of their own pockets on school supplies. First, why would teachers have to purchase school supplies with their own money in the first place? Only because Republican lawmakers like Tony have so decimated funding for the public school system that poorer districts can't afford paper and pencils, let alone art supplies and music instruction. Second, don't forget that a write-off isn't a reimbursement; after taxes, about 80% of such expenditures will still come out of the teachers' paychecks.
As for Tony's love of "incentives, rewards and credits," those may work in the training of dumb, brute animals, but when dealing with unfeeling, uncaring lower life-forms like corporate CEOs and investment bankers, give me Hannah-Beth's fees, fines and penalties any day. Along with jail sentences.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on October 4, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am voting for neither.
I am fed up with career politicians.
It's time the "sheeple" vote for someone else.
Posted by MakingWaves on October 4, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hannah-Beth pointed out in the debate that Strickland voted AGAINST her bills to provide incentives for alternative energy development. She asked him if he had even read the legislation which provided $270 million in tax credits. Finally he admitted that the bills did indeed provide tax credits.
All this from the guy who joined with oil companies in 2003 to try to stop the state's efforts to enforce global warming legislation.
Hannah-Beth did great last night. She is a superior debater. And she is not a career politician, unlike her opponent who has never really had a paying job outside of politics. She was a deputy district attorney who prosecuted criminals, ran a thriving family law practice for 22 years and the last few years she has been teaching at UCSB.
I advise everyone to try to watch the debate as televised on CAPS-TV. There is no possible way this short article can do justice to the entire evening.
Posted by celtcwrtr on October 4, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
strickland's negative ads are a complete and utter turnoff. and using erin brokovich as an endorsement... who cares about erin brokovich? what contempt he displays for the intelligence of the voters.
Posted by NowHearThis on October 4, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jw should not be able to post, unless he has verified facts that backs up his ludicrous rhetoric.
DEMS claim that alternative energy development will be great for society. Yet, until then what about gas we all use. I say, relieve every single leftist-liberal from their cars and make them walk or ride a bike. That's what they deserve.
A leftist-liberal DEM is what's ruining this country!
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