Story posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009
U.S. House Republican Candidates Square Off
All seven Republicans running to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th) squared-off at a debate last Sunday in Skokie sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition.
About 125 people came out for the event at the Renaissance North Shore Hotel to hear the candidates discuss issues primarily relating to foreign policy and economics.
Kirk, who is not seeking reelection to the House but is running for U.S. Senate, spoke before the debate began saying he would whole-heartedly support whoever wins the Feb. 2, 2010 primary.
Moderator Richard Baehr said there is a "high level of commonality" in the candidates' answers adding that might not have been the case if hot button issues such as gay marriage or abortion were discussed.
One candidate, Paul Hamann, did go "off the reservation", said Baehr, when he said he favors a withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. The other candidates said they favor a continuing commitment to those two wars.
Baehr said candidates were very civil with each other and that there was a minimum of "sniping" that often occurs in candidate debates and forums.
At the event and currently running for the Republican nomination was Robert Dold of Kenilworth, State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson (R-17th) of Glenview, Dick Green of Winnetka, Hamann of Lake Forest, William Cadigan of Winnetka, Patricia Bird of Mt. Prospect and Arie Friedman of Highland Park.
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