Politics & Government

Republicans Akin, Steelman, Brunner Spar Pre-Primary

Candidates for U.S. Senate debate the economy, health care and Mitt Romney Friday night at Washington University in St. Louis.

With a month until voters determine who will take on U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in November elections, the trio of top Republican contenders sparred Friday night in a debate televised across the state of Missouri.

The debate was among U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Wildwood), Frontenac Businessman John Brunner and former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman at Washington University's Edison Theater. It was carried by KMOV-TV in St. Louis and KCTV-TV in Kansas City.

Missouri's Republican Primary is Tuesday, August 7.

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Steelman, speaking second in the debate's opening statements after Brunner, was the first to mention McCaskill and U.S. President Barack Obama by name, making not-so-subtle jabs at the Senator's foibles in past years with private aircraft and tax issues.

Questions from social media outlets like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter were augmented by KMOV anchor Larry Connors and KCTV's Brad Stephens. 

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Middle Class

The candidates largely stuck to their campaign themes of

  • limiting the size of government, 
  • cutting spending and 
  • reducing taxes.

When Connors pressed the candidates on how they stacked up compared to "the middle class",

  • Brunner, the wealthy businessman, spoke of driving forklifts at plants and living without a refrigerator. 
  • Steelman talked of starting her own businesses, while 
  • Rep. Akin spoke of changing his own car oil and his time as an IBM engineer.

Romney Support

Rep. Akin: "I'm going to wait and see what he does," Akin said in speaking of a potential Romney Presidential administration. He pointed to his opposition to Bush era programs like 'No Child Left Behind' and the government bailout of the banking industry.

Brunner: "Mitt Romney is conservative enough for me," he said, and as the Associated Press reported, "just the kind of leader we need right now."

Steelman: Did not directly address her support for the apparent Republican presidential nominee.

Charlie Dooley

The Democratic St. Louis County Executive became a topic during the debate, when Steelman criticized Brunner's financial support of Dooley's past campaigns, as well as Akin's. Brunner said he supported Dooley as a friend.

Supporting the Senate nominee

Each candidate said they would support whoever emerged victorious from the Republican primary on August 7. Steelman was pressed on the question given what observers saw as less than a full-throated endorsement after her failed primary bid against former U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof in the 2008 gubernatorial race. Steelman countered Friday by saying she didn't do it in the way "party establishment" leaders wanted.

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