CreateDebate


Debate Info

6
9

Brad Ellsworth (D)


Greg Goode (R)

Debate Score:15
Arguments:6
Total Votes:18
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 
Brad Ellsworth (D)
(3)
 
 
Greg Goode (R)
(3)

Debate Creator

CreateDebate(732) pic



Who should I vote for in the 2008 Indiana 8th District House of Representatives Race?


Brad Ellsworth (D)

Side Score: 6
VS.


Greg Goode (R)

Side Score: 9
2 points

Citizens of Evansville, Indiana stood out in front of Congressman Ellsworth's office to protest his signing of the bailout bill, saying that the legislation is unethical and robs the taxpayers. Though Ellsworth insists that his vote for the second draft of the legislation was a vote for a necessary evil, voters liberal and conservative alike have united against the $700 billion out-of-pocket charge that Congress has made on their behalf.

Ellsworth says that the act is expected to help struggling businessmen and homeowners and hopes that his constituents will accept it in time, but many are wary of Congressional and Presidential promises made over the past decade that have been broken. Could this vote mean the end of Ellsworth's career?

Ellsworth says yes to vote despite constituent rejection
Side: Brad Ellsworth
1 point

"If a company wants to build a refinery that brings down the cost of a gallon of gas, I'm all for that. We need to look at everything."-Ellsworth.

Though the majority of democrats on the hill would prefer to see nationally owned oil refiners where the government can control prices and keep speculation out of the market to stabilize prices, Ellsworth says he just wants a solution. And from the sound of it, anyone will do.

"If refining oil is one of the things that's slowing down and raising the cost of a gallon of gas, then yes, I am extremely interested and would be willing to move that forward. We've got the technology. We've got the know-how to build (refineries). If it's the permitting process that is slowing this up, let's look at that."-Ellsworth

Ellsworth rejected a call from his colleague Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y. for publicly owned refineries, saying that doing so would inhibit job potential in the private sector.

Though a decision definitely needs to be reached by Congress regarding America's energy policy, is Ellsworth's disregard for his party's stance detrimental to the Democrats unity, or is it simple pragmatism?

Supporting Evidence: Ellsworth just wants an energy policy (www.ellsworthforcongress.com)
Side: Brad Ellsworth
0 points

Though Ellsworth did vote to pass the revised bailout bill, he did so after insisting that the bill be completely re-drawn to, among his requests, favor taxpayers and hold Wall Street executives accountable for their debt.

Although not all of the stipulations were accepted, Reps. Ellsworth, Murphy(PA) and Shuler(NC), were able to make clear to Speaker Pelosi their concerns for the middle-class taxpayers in their districts. The congressmen argued that the bailout package agreed to must not be punitive to cover millions in severance for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but rather in the spirit of fairness. If there was any book cooking discovered, Ellsworth et al. insisted that executives be made to turn in their bonus checks to help save the interests of their investors.

Murphy, Ellsworth and Shuler: We are gratified that following the government takeover, the former CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not be paid millions of dollars in severance owed them under their employment contracts. It is because of your leadership and our strong congressional action that these executives will not receive a taxpayer-funded "golden parachute" worth approximately $25 million. This is a step in the right direction and we encourage you to go further by imposing reasonable limits on executive pay and compensation in the [new] bailout package.

Supporting Evidence: What Ellsworth wanted from the bailout package (www.ellsworth.house.gov)
Side: Brad Ellsworth
4 points

With all of the controversy sparked by McCain's decision to choose Sarah Palin as a running mate, Goode has stood up to offer his support for the Republican presidential nominee.

“I am pleased with Senator McCain’s decision to pick Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. I have personally met with Governor Palin during my energy fact finding mission in Alaska. I joined her in a press conference on the importance of drilling for American oil. Sarah Palin is a conservative, she understands this energy crisis, and she will help John McCain secure victory in November.”

Considering that Palin receives approval from 78% of Republicans since her acceptance speech despite the Democrats' poo-pooing of her foreign policy credentials, is Goode's support merely a partisan gesture?

Supporting Evidence: Goode supports Palin and McCain (www.greggoode.com)
Side: Greg Goode
3 points

Brad Ellsworth CLAIMS to be a conservative, but his first vote in the house was for liberal speaker Nancy Pelosi. He claims to be pro-union, but voted to include Peru in Nafta, screwing over union workers across the 8th dist. He claims to be pro-life, but the puppet strings attached to him in Washington caused him to vote for a bill that funds abortions on demand all over the world with taxpayer dollars. Ellsworth got an 'F' from the national taxpayers association. Ellsworth is NOT a conservative, he is an empty suit who will continue to vote with Nancy Pelosi, and (if he has it his way) Obama. Greg Goode stands up for the Conservative values held by so many Hoosiers here in the 8th district. It would be insane to vote for Ellsworth on the grounds that he is a "conservative".

Side: Greg Goode
2 points

Congressman Ellsworth endorses Obama but did not support withdrawing our troops from Iraq in 90 days. As a more conservative Democrat on social issues, he would likely be better off either leaving the Democrats or crossing the aisle to endorse anyone who comes close to sharing his ideas. Goode likewise takes some traditionally conservative stances although, as expected, these do not include foreign policy.

Side:
Greg Goode (R)