A bitterly fought congressional race ignited a bitterly fought debate Wednesday as Rep. John Doolittle and Democratic rival Charlie Brown faced off in Rocklin.
The candidates exchanged pointed remarks at each other over much of the two-hour debate at the studios of Starstream Communications. While dueling over a variety of issues, Brown attacked Doolittle as a Republican insider and member of a "culture of corruption" in government, while Doolittle blasted Brown's "liberal ideology," particularly his membership in the American Civil Liberties Union.
"Who is this guy?" asked Doolittle of Brown. "He's a Republican during the daytime and a liberal at night." Doolittle also took issue with Brown's stands on the war in Iraq, illegal immigration and gay marriage, calling the retired Air Force officer "wrong" at every turn.
"This race isn't about liberal or conservative," Brown countered. "Since when did supporting the Constitution of the United States become a liberal value?"
Answering questions posed by area journalists, Brown attacked Doolittle's standing as a GOP congressional leader and a key player in the Abramoff scandal as well as his connection to disgraced Florida congressman Mark Foley.
While the two men were opposed on many of the issues raised, such as the fight against terrorism, both candidates generally agreed on a few matters, including strengthening border security and the search for alternative energy sources.......
Doolittle just cleaned browns clock by saying the "Do you really believe this ridiculous story that Saddam did not have WMD when the president said he did." That should have ended discussion right there game over. But Doolittle got in another great shot when he said he had been elected over and over for twenty six years. How can anyone argue with that?
Doolittle, Brown Debate GOP Dissatisfaction
