Clough and Hastings discuss issues in forum

MOSES LAKE —Tensions flared about the booming economic debt between candidates vying for the Fourth District congressional seat in a forum.

Seven term republican party incumbent Doc Hastings pointed to an “unprecedented deficit” set by President Obama during his first two years in office.

“This administration has set back-to-back deficits. The first year, we were $1.7 trillion in debt and the second year, we are $1.8 trillion in debt,” said Hastings.

Democratic party challenger Jay Clough highlighted the debt incurred under George W. Bush’s two-term presidency.

“Between 1995 and 2006, the national debt shot up by 170 percent, resulting in a $3.5 trillion debt,” said Clough.

The interactive joint forum was held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg and video streamed to Moses Lake and Wenatchee.

The two candidates discussed how they would alleviate the debt and shared ideas on how to increase business around Eastern Washington.

Hastings said he wanted to end the federal bailout and take the stimulus money saved to go toward the national debt.

“I’d like to go back to the way we were spending in 2008. We need to be serious about all federal spending,” said Hastings.

Clough said he believed wealthy individuals should be taxed more.

“The top 2 percent of the nation could be taxed and we could get $700 billion from that tax,” said Clough.

He said focusing resources toward fair trade agreements with other countries would benefit the economy as well.

“An apple in Japan can sell for $6 and a bag of cherries for $4. I’d like to make it our first priority to make sure we become marketable overseas,” said Clough.

In contrast, Hastings suggested focusing on de-regulating restrictions on small business owners to help the economy grow.

“I want to go back to the American dream: freedom, liberty and honoring risk-takers. We need to reward people who create jobs in this economy and offer them some sort of job security,” he said.

“I support tax cuts, I believe they spur economic growth. Americans are over-taxed. There needs to be less government control in the economy and more freedom to small business owners,” Hastings said.

The candidates were asked about how they intended to decrease the nation’s foreign oil dependency.

“I would like to enforce hydro power as a renewable energy source. We have got to get off of fossil fuel,” he said.

Clough added, “We need to invite private enterprise to want to come here and invest in our projects.”

Hastings said he believed the ultimate answer will depend on the consumer.

“I think it is in our best interest to have a diverse energy source. I support nuclear, window and solar energy. I am in favor of exploring sites like Alaska. But the market is going to dictate what types of energy sources we have,” said Hastings.

The Ellensburg location had more than 50 people attend the forum, according to the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce.

The locations created five questions independently of each other.

Each location utilized live audio and video technology to ask their questions.

The forum format was new to all sites involved.

Participants are hoping to do more video-streamed forums in the future, said an Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce spokesperson.