Colorado Senate Candidates Face Off Over Social Security, Ads, Taxes

Colorado Senate Candidates Face Off Over Negative Ads, Social Security

DENVER -- Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and his Republican opponent, Ken Buck, sparred Monday over the economy, tax cuts, the deficit and health care at the first of three debates this week.

Monday's event, sponsored by 9News and The Denver Post, will be followed by another Denver debate Friday. Buck and Bennet will face off again Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

The two candidates remained civil during the televised event, agreeing on some issues, but disagreeing more often.

One of the more contentious moments came with a question about negative advertising.

"I don't know who Senator Bennet is running those ads against, but I don''t think I'd vote for the guy," Buck said. "What offends me the most is the Social Security issue."

Bennet has run ads saying Buck wants to privatize Social Security. Politifact rated one of the ads as "half true" while the Denver Post editorial page said that it was unfair to take out of context Buck's questioning of the program's constitutionality.

On Monday, Bennet said he disagreed with the position Buck had on Social Security during the GOP primary, but noted the Republican has revised his thinking since then.

"What's most offensive to me about it is that there have been millions and millions of dollars poured into Colorado to try and steal this election," Bennet said, noting that it's impossible to know where the money is coming from for many of the ads.

Outside groups are spending heavily to influence the Colorado race, to the tune of $9.7 million in the general election through Friday, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission data. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has spent $4.4 million on the race, while American Crossroads has spent almost $2.6 million. Sen. Jim DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund has spent almost $2.4 million, while the National Republican Senatorial Committee has spent more than $1.6 million.

The candidates also disagreed on a range of other issues:

On health care: Buck said he'd vote to repeal the health care overhaul bill enacted earlier this year. Buck also said he opposed the provision allowing parents to cover children up to age 26 under their plans. Bennet supported the reform plan, and said he wants to see Congress mandate that the costs of the bill be paid for, rather than contributing to the deficit. And he advocated searching for more savings in the system.

On extending the Bush tax cuts: Bennet said: "We should extend all of the Bush tax cuts for one year in order to have a reasoned discussion outside of a political campaign." Buck said:"I don't know if we are extending the Bush tax cuts or creating the Obama tax increase."

How to cut the deficit: Bennet recommended a cap on discretionary spending, as well as a deficit reduction act and economic growth. "It took us a long time to get into this hole and it's going to take us a while to get out." Buck advocated growing the economy, reducing taxes on corporations and cutting federal salaries.

Where their families have cut back during the recession: Buck said he and his wife haven't taken a vacation for some time and are putting more money into retirement accounts. Bennet said he pushed to freeze congressional salaries and returned his subsidy for federal health care.

On jobs: Bennet said small businesses need better access to credit to hire more people. He also advocated creating jobs via alternative energy. Buck said the federal government should target loans to businesses and avoid a carbon tax.

On Afghanistan: Buck said there shouldn't be a timeline to withdraw troops, with priorities of promoting peace and not to allow the country to become a safe haven for terrorists or drug traffickers. But he also said we shouldn't expect the "backwards" country to achieve a Western-style democracy. Bennet advocated bringing troops home starting next July. "I would not support any nation building in Afghanistan," he said. "I do not think we can bring peace to that region."

Top priorities: Buck said he'd like to see a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. Bennet said he'd like to leave the next generation without debt, with good educational opportunities and no dependence on foreign oil.