Senate hopefuls cross paths

Senate candidates Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr squared off in their first formal debate Monday night, sparring over trade policy, job creation and national security.

Over the course of an hour, Bowles and Burr answered a series of questions from moderator Carl Kasell, a National Public Radio newscaster and North Carolina native.

"North Carolinians are worried," Bowles said. "About jobs, about health care, about the rising cost of prescription drugs - and we're all worried about our national security."

He called for a focus on job training programs in the state and tax incentives to encourage companies to locate in North Carolina. "Richard and I both have a history on trade," Bowles said. "Times have changed, and I think I've figured that out, and I don't think Richard has."

Speaking directly to Burr, Bowles said, "It's little wonder that the North Carolina Fair Trade Coalition said you have betrayed North Carolina workers."

Burr, saying education would be the key to economic recovery, criticized Bowles' trade record as chief of staff under former President Clinton.

"You negotiated the China trade agreement for President Clinton, which is the largest exporter of jobs, not just in North Carolina but in this country. Today, you run from your record."

Burr stressed his 10 years in Congress, saying, "I understand how important it is that our next senator be a representative, a true representative in every sense of the word."

Burr also took a stab at Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., who has been absent from most Senate votes while campaigning with Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

"There's no substitute for having a senator from North Carolina who's actually there voting. That will be refreshing for this state."

Speaking on national security, Burr noted that there had been no terrorist attacks in the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and he credited the Bush administration's handling of the war on terror.

"We have yet to be attacked because we have a president that was courageous enough to take the fight to them," he said.

Bowles offered a more pessimistic view of the situation in Iraq and declared that the United States needs to seek the involvement of the international community, work to reconstitute the Iraqi army and strive for energy independence.

Throughout the debate, Burr frequently invoked his support for President Bush. In response to Bowles' accusation that he simply voted along party lines 96 percent of the time, Burr said, "I'm not embarrassed to vote with the president 96 percent of the time. He's right that often."

UNC political science Professor Thad Beyle said that strategy is becoming a staple of Republican campaigns.

"I think a lot of Republicans in the country are doing this," he said. "They're following the party line."

A poll released Monday by Research 2000 showed Bowles leading Burr by nine points, 47 percent to 38 percent.

North Carolina's Senate race has been one of the most closely watched - and best financed - in the country. In a narrowly divided Senate, both the Democrats and Republicans are intent on winning control of the seat being vacated by Edwards.

"Obviously this is a seat that Democrats hold and Republicans think they can get, especially after (Sen. Elizabeth) Dole's big win in 2002," said Jennifer Duffy, managing editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

"On the Democratic side, they can't afford to lose any seats. Bowles is a much better candidate in this cycle than he was last time."

Bowles lost the 2002 contest against Dole after spending more than $13 million dollars, including $7 million of his own fortune. According to Opensecrets.org, a nonpartisan campaign finance Web site, Bowles has raised $6.8 million to Burr's more than $7 million as of Sept. 20.

In summarizing the debate, Beyle said neither candidate gained a definite upper hand.

"I'm not sure there was a winner or loser. I think they both did what they wanted to do."

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.