Harkin and challenger Reed clash at fair

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By Charlotte Eby | Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:15 PM CDT | () comments

VIDEO: Harkin and Reed clash at fair
The contenders for a U.S. Senate seat from Iowa clashed on key policy issue…
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DES MOINES — The contenders for a U.S. Senate seat from Iowa clashed on key policy issues including energy and Social Security during State Fair appearances Wednesday.

Marion Republican Christopher Reed, a political newcomer, argued that incumbent Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat from Cumming, is out of touch with Iowa voters. Harkin is seeking his fifth term in the Senate.

During his speech before fairgoers, Reed advocated for drilling for more American oil to bring down the price of gasoline and create jobs.

“My opponent has no desire to drill for oil — none. His plan is simply to tax production and expand government,” Reed said. “That will never put one drop of fuel in your tank. My plan is to drill here, drill now and drill often.”

Reed said domestic oil sources would help in the meantime while alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are developed into a more viable means of energy.

Reed also urged energy conservation, but said that should come from individual responsibility, not from a government mandate.

In contrast, Harkin argued drilling on the intercontinental shelf is expensive and would do little to immediately bring down oil prices.

Instead, he argued for developing technologies such as an electric-powered car and cellulosic ethanol in addition to developing wind and solar energy.

“We need an energy program that doesn’t just chase the last barrel of oil,” Harkin said.

On Social Security, Reed argued younger workers ought to be able to opt out and be responsible for their own retirement while those who paid into the program would still get what they contributed.

“Americans are smart enough, they don’t need a nanny state taking care of them all the time,” Reed said.

Reed was confronted by crowd member Robert D. Williams, a 79-year-old Democrat from Indianola, who said poor people were left with nothing before Social Security was created.

“The Social Security system, the only way it’s going to be solvent, is that we have none of this talk about or action about people opting out and taking their money and doing something else,” Williams said.

Harkin also expressed opposition to the idea.

“If privatization is so good, why didn’t it work for all those years before we had Social Security?” Harkin said. “The reason we have Social Security was because the private sector wouldn’t do this, couldn’t do it.”

Charlotte Eby can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.