x
Breaking News
More () »

Debate between Bustos and Harlan in Illinois’ 17th District sparks fireworks

The full debate will be broadcast on WQAD, WQPT and WQAD-TV 8.1 and 8.3.
promo302379212

MOLINE, Illinois – Two candidates say the other is too extreme.

The closing minutes of the only televised debate between Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) and her Republican challenger Patrick Harlan included allegations that neither candidate represents the values of the 17th Congressional District.

“We don’t need to elect any more Tea Partiers,” said Rep Bustos.

Harlan, a truck driver and insurance salesman from Galesburg, is also the head of the Knox County Tea Party.

"Do we need to elect a Dick Durbin puppet?" asked Harlan, referring to Rep. Bustos' close ties to Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin.

"I consider myself a common sense man," said Harlan.

Both candidates squared off in a 30-minute program moderated by News 8's Jim Mertens which airs on WQPT public television.

You can also see the entire program broadcast on WQAD.  It airs Saturday, November 5 at 6 p.m. on WQAD MyTV 8.3 and on Sunday, November 6 at 12:30 p.m. on WQAD-TV 8.1.

Both candidates also talked about the Affordable Care Act.  Harlan says "Obamacare" should be repealed, Rep. Bustos says changes should be made but says the law has helped insure millions.

Harlan says spending priorities need to be re-examined.

"It's a mess," said Harlan.

"We have the weakest military of all times," he said referring to smaller forces in the Armed Services.

"I judge a military by the actual strength we show other countries," he said.

"We are a laughing stock around the world," he said attributing a lack of prestige seen due to the foreign policies of the Obama Administration.

Rep. Bustos says she wants to see immigration reform and changes that will lower corporate tax rates to bring some of the $2 trillion in corporate profits back to America from oversea accounts.

Before You Leave, Check This Out