Collection:LPB

Genre: Debate

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2008-10-12

Duration: 01:00:22

Subjects: Hurricane Gustav, 2008 | Hurricane Ike, 2008 | Elections, 2008 | United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2008 | Politics | Television debates | COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA | Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.) | Kennedy, John Neely | Landrieu, Mary, 1955- | Economy | Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 | Recessions | Balanced budget | Constitutional amendments | United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency | Hurricanes | DISASTER RELIEF | CIVIL SERVICE | Earmarks | Health care reform | HEALTH INSURANCE | Military | War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 | Iraq War, 2003-2011 | Afghan War, 2001- | Agriculture | FARMERS | United States presidential election, 2008 | Obama, Barack | McCain, John, 1936-

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Moderator
• Erwin, Barry Moderator
• Whinham, Charlie Speaker
• Sanford, Shauna Speaker
• Kennedy, John Panelist
• Landrieu, Mary Panelist

A live debate held on October 12, 2008, at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge between the two candidates for United States Senate: State Treasurer John Kennedy (R) and incumbent Senator Mary Landrieu (D). The debate was moderated by Beth Courtney of Louisiana Public Broadcasting and Barry Erwin of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL). The questions were asked by the moderators, viewers via e-mail, and college students in the audience. After their opening statements, the candidates answered questions on the following topics: improving the economy following the 2008 financial crisis; a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget; what works in Washington; what lessons FEMA has learned in dealing with hurricanes; how to make government service more attractive to young people; Congressional earmarks; health care reform; and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the candidate to candidate question round, Landrieu asked Kennedy why he did not support her disaster relief bill for farmers following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, while Kennedy asked Landrieu why she endorsed Senator Barack Obama in the presidential election. The debate ended with each candidate’s closing statement.