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14
5

Jack Reed (D)


Bob Tingle (R)

Debate Score:19
Arguments:13
Total Votes:19
Ended:11/05/08
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Jack Reed (D)
(8)
 
 
Bob Tingle (R)
(5)

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Who should I vote for in the 2008 Rhode Island Senate Race?


Jack Reed (D)

Side Score: 14
Winning Side!
VS.


Bob Tingle (R)

Side Score: 5
4 points

Frequently mentioned as a possible VP option for Barack Obama and just recently added to the list of speakers for the Denver DNC, Jack Reed is one of the most well respected members of the Senate and has gained a reputation for effective and successful legislation on behalf of Rhode Island.

He was instrumental in pushing the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 through the Senate, which eased the burdens facing the majority of nation's homeowners. He has also penned legislation aimed towards establishing an affordable housing trust fund, improving the consumer disclosure on mortgages, and lifting some the financial pressure facing middle class homeowners.

His influence in the Senate encompasses both domestic and international concerns. As a graduate of West Point and former Army officer, Reed has been to and seen the Iraq War firsthand and will be speaking for the convention under the theme "Securing America's Future".

Supporting Evidence: At home and abroad (reed.senate.gov)
Side: At home and abroad
3 points

"Reed, Washington leaders agree, speaks with authority.

'Everyone listens to Jack,” says Kennedy, second-ranking Democrat on Armed Services.

Says Sen. Chuck Hagel, Republican from Nebraska: 'He is one of the most dedicated, committed, thorough, thoughtful members of the United States Senate. He studies the issues, he knows what he’s talking about, he always makes a contribution. He’s always very respectful, very civil. He handles himself very well. And everybody likes him.'" High praise from a Republican in partisan times!

What impresses me about the buzz about Jack Reed, is his "humble", "civil", all-around good guy personality, coupled with his formidable authority and brilliance. A compilation of adjectives culled from the press, leaves one with the impression that he is a good man with a wealth of knowledge on many issues, and valuable experience earned by fighting for those issues. I know this might sound vague or rhetorical, but seriously, it's a personality that is rare and absolutely essential to take note of in a world of political shenanigans, and Rove-like technicians.

He turned down the possibility of VP, before he was even asked, but while many saw him as the perfect choice. Rhode Island is where he was born and raised, and Rhode Island is where he wants to continue to serve. Commitment and loyalty supersede ambition.

He reminds me of the television character, West Wing's President Bartlett. VP? This man has the strength of character and all the requisite experience for the office of President of the United States.

Supporting Evidence: Senator Jack Reed: A Humble Path to Power (www.projo.com)
Side: Jack Reed
2 points

Tingle's experience is limited to professional candidate and casino manager. His resume, his aspiration to the Senate, is an insult when compared to the gravitas of a man of Reed's stature. His website is pure Myspace mentality. There is a huge picture of Reagan, the Virgin Mary, and McCain and Palin.

This is his assessment of Jack Reed: SENATOR JACK REED'S VOTING RECORD IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF THE AVERAGE, HARD WORKING, BLUE COLLAR RHODE ISLANDER.

Mr. Tingle, have you read Senator Reed's bio? Do you know that his father was a school janitor and fought in WWII? Did you read about his concern for the unemployed who have fallen on hard times under the Bush administration? Do you know that "In response to a request led by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the President today directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to release the remaining $120.7 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency fund – just days before the end of the fiscal year when the fund was due to lapse.", and that "This emergency funding will allow more states to deliver LIHEAP benefits to people in need and prevent thousands of working families and seniors in Rhode Island from having their utilities shut off.” Did you know that he is concerned with taxpayer protection and reimbursement in the wake of the Bush buyout plan? And this is all within the last month!

As a casino supervisor, who represents the house, how are your interests connected WITH THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF THE AVERAGE, HARD WORKING, BLUE COLLAR RHODE ISLANDER? Do you want them all to win big at your casino?

Get a grip and familiarize yourself with the issues and who's doing what for whom. Better yet, go to a gamblers' anonymous meeting and familiarize yourself with the shattered lives of average, hard working citizens.

Side: Jack Reed
1 point

Recently, Jack Reed wrote a letter with his colleague Susan Collins (R-ME) to President Bush to urge his release of $120 million still being held for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) before September when $100 set aside by Congress for LIHEAP is voided.

Jack Reed had these frustrated words for Congress:

“While Americans are struggling with record energy prices, President Bush is sitting on $120 million that could provide some immediate relief to working families. Releasing the remaining LIHEAP contingency funds will help thousands of Rhode Islanders and millions of Americans with their energy bills. I strongly urge the President to release this critical funding before it’s too late."

The letter written by the senators informing Bush of his tardy approval was effective and to the point providing statistical evidence of necessary action such as:

According to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), Residential electricity prices are projected to increase by an annual average of about 5.2 percent in 2008 and 9.8 percent in 2009.

Supporting Evidence: Reed's letter asking Bush to give already promised funding (reed.senate.gov)
Side: Jack Reed
1 point

The Fair Tax is a piece of legislation introduced by Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas that is meant to eliminate federal taxation and incomes taxes. They say by taxing all citizens at a 23% tax rate for everything, that all federal expenses will be covered and the need for federal programs will be no more. The problem with this tax, many say, is that it will not be as easy all that, and that the number 23 is a subjective figure and would actually raise taxes for the middle class.

Analysis reported on by the Washington Post last year and the Brookings Institute says: ...the FairTax would hit the middle class the hardest. Consumers would receive a monthly "prebate" on expenditures up to the federal poverty level, providing a cushion and probably even a modest benefit for those with the lowest incomes. The top earners, those with incomes greater than $200,000, would see significant tax cuts.

Bob Tingle actually supports such fiscal hikes for the middle class saying, "t's time to put the IRS out of business by getting rid of the Federal Income Tax and replacing it with the Fair Tax. Under the Fair Tax, EVERYONE will pay their fair share. People who work hard and invest will not be penalized for their efforts. With the Fair Tax, April 15th will be just another sunny spring day !!! There will be no need to fill out a complicated and confusing income tax return." This was printed in his campaign statements on his website last month (July 2008).

In a time when the middle class is being hit the hardest by the falling economy and unstable job market, why would a contender such as Tingle even think of supporting policies which offend the majority of his constituents?

Side: Bob Tingle
1 point

While Bob Tingle proclaims the need to "Drill here and drill now" on the continental shelf in support of energy independence, he fails to address the significance of that advocacy to a significant component of the Rhode Island economy - the fishing industry. Past oil spills in this area have devastated the shoreline that supports generations of fishing families in Rhode Island.

While Jack Reed is likewise concerned with ending foreign energy independence, he has instead dedicated his support - and Senate votes - to the development of alternative and renewable energy sources. He also has a solid history of supporting the coastal families in Rhode Island by working directly with NOAA and the Fish & Wildlife Service to preserve the natural resources that are the mainstay of a coastal economy.

Supporting Evidence: North Cape Lobster Restoration Program (response.restoration.noaa.gov)
Side: Jack Reed
1 point

It seems that the Senate has drafted a modified plan to rescue the financial markets, which most analysts predict will make it through the Senate successfully before it moves to the House later in the week (hopefully).

Sen. Jack Reed (D) of Rhode Island has spoken out in favor of the modified plan from the floor of the Senate.

"We are in the midst of a terrible, terrible economic crisis. The American people are justifiably outraged that they have been put in this position where they must put up $700 billion to stabilize our financial system and indeed the global financial system."

On the Republican side of the fence, there are whispers of opposition as they claim the new draft allows too much government intrusion into the private sector.

Supporting Evidence: A new plan (www.voanews.com)
Side: A new plan
1 point

In order to assist Rhode Islanders financially trapped by the foreclosure crisis, the HUD and Reed, as a senior member of the Banking Committee, have worked in conjunction to award the state a $19.6 million grant as its share of a $3.92 billion dollar federal program designed to curb foreclosure impacts.

The money comes from the CDBG program and is designed to help communities suffering under the economic weight of mass foreclosures regain their footing and re-stimulate the economy at the state level.

Reed: "Vacant, foreclosed homes can invite crime and drag down neighborhood property values. This federal aid will help protect homeowners and neighborhoods by allowing local communities to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes and abandoned properties across the state."

Supporting Evidence: Reed helps RI earn $$$ for economic stabilization (jackreed2008.com)
Side: Jack Reed
1 point

Bob Tingle is a Moderate Libertarian conservative with his eye on working towards an end with Iraq, but not on pulling out.

He openly supports Israel and our relationship with it as a friend and ally. At the same time, Tingle promotes ending terrorism and promoting democracy the world over. "[I] fully support the war. I support the surge (in Iraq). We need to deal with Al Qaeda. We must defeat them like we did the Nazis. (Al Qaeda) wants to conquer us. They want to destroy us. We can’t let them.”

Supporting Evidence: Tingle for fighting terror (oceanstaterepublican.com)
Side: Tingle on war
1 point

It's a disturbing fact that Senator Reed is a strong supporter of gun control. He would also be a hypocrite to claim that he wants to end Bush's policies without publicly regretting his votes to reauthorize the Patriot Act and against withdrawing from Iraq as soon as possible. Tingle supports the war and the Patriot Act outright, but I still agree with him on most social issues and appreciate his stances against the death penalty, the IRS, and the income tax.

Side:
Bob Tingle (R)
1 point

Tingle recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Providence Journal regarding immigration raids. The Republican candidate says although he feels that the government needs to begin implementing tactics to better secure US borders, raids on immigrants currently living in the country is not the answer. Instead, says Tingle, look at the businessmen who employ illegal immigrants because they are the ones who should be kept under control. Illegal immigrants would not come to America if there were no jobs, so don't punish them for trying to make a better life for their families.

Tingle: The people who willingly hire illegals and exploit them are the real problem. If they stop hiring illegals because they are unwilling to face the prospect of large fines and/or their businesses being shut down, the problem of illegal immigration will diminish greatly.

Supporting Evidence: Bob Tingle says shut down businesses exploiting immigrants (article.wn.com)
Side: Bob Tingle
1 point

Occasionally when you're digging around for information on these candidate's you come across information that gives you a deeper understanding as to exactly who these men and women are beyond just their positions regarding the energy crisis, the Iraq war, or immigration reform.

For instance, Bob Tingle (R) is a former "casino pit boss" who worked in Atlantic City, New Jersey before he moved to Westerly, Rhode Island. That fact alone speaks volumes to the political evolution of this Republican challenger to Jack Reed's (D) seat.

His inspiration to one day run for public office came on the day when he watched Ronald Reagan be sworn in as the 40th president of the United States nearly 25 years ago.

"He was truly magnificent. He's truly my hero."

Tingle is a self-proclaimed hard-line conservative who supports the war in Iraq; is adamantly against Roe vs. Wade; supports offshore and ANWR drilling; he supports the fair tax and the 2nd Amendment; he argues that America should "seal the borders" and deliver harsh punishments to companies who hire illegal immigrants.

“I have the vision to do what Reed hasn’t in 16 years. We still have no energy policy. What is Sen. Reed’s plan."

Supporting Evidence: Casino Pit Boss (www.thewesterlysun.com)
Side: Casino Pit Boss
1 point

Senator Reed has voted for the revised Wall Street bailout bill, which most senators from both major parties are also guilty of. However, most of the votes against it also came from Republicans and they have helped stall it in the House. Tingle also seems to be voters' only alternative, so if this measure passes, they should warn him to support overturning it immediately.

Side:
Bob Tingle (R)