Kennedy-Chase mini-debate
IT WAS NOT, in truth, the wide-ranging exploration of state, national, and global priorities that would best serve the public in a campaign for the US Senate. Still, the half-hour debate last night between Senator Edward M. Kennedy and his Republican challenger, educator Kenneth Chase of Belmont, disclosed some stark differences -- and a surprising level of agreement.
On energy policy, for instance, Chase criticized Kennedy for opposing the Cape Wind project, while Kennedy counterattacked against Chase's support for nuclear energy. But the two agreed on the more important factor: America's debilitating dependence on foreign oil. Chase said Kennedy should have done more in 44 years in office, but Kennedy turned the issue against the Bush administration, which he said is ``owned by big oil."
On Iraq, too, there were differences, with Kennedy calling for a withdrawal of American troops, while Chase said that was a military decision. ``We leave when the generals say the mission is accomplished," he said, ignoring the nation's longstanding reliance on civilian control of the military. Despite these differences, Chase was at least as vehement as Kennedy in saying the Iraq war was a mistake. The US invaded Iraq ``foolishly and unnecessarily," he said.
The most striking area of disagreement was immigration policy. Kennedy is co-author of the bill combining increased border security with opportunities for some illegal immigrants to pursue citizenship. Chase puts far more emphasis on what he sees as the dangers of immigration and the need for greatly expanded border patrols.
The first issue in the debate, raised by moderator Chet Curtis, was North Korea's claim that it has set off a nuclear device. Kennedy blamed President Bush for rejecting two-party negotiations with the North, adding, ``The United States is the heavy in this." Chase once again agreed with a sharp criticism of his own party's national leader, stressing the need for the United States to negotiate with its adversaries. The two also agree on the MCAS education tests.
It is disappointing that Kennedy agreed to only one 30-minute debate, broadcast on New England Cable News last night. Had he done the same in 1994, he would have been left struggling to beat back the challenge of newcomer Mitt Romney, who scored repeatedly during the first part of their hour-long debate at Faneuil Hall . But Kennedy recovered his footing and dispatched Romney effectively toward the end of that debate, and during a second that followed two days later.
Half an hour is too little. Yet it is a sign of democratic health that a 44-year incumbent meets his neophyte challenger in public debate, face-to-face, however briefly.
