ELECTION 2010: D-13 GOP hopefuls take stage

MANATEE — Republicans seeking to win the U.S. District 13 congressional race Saturday morning talked immigration, oil drilling and government spending during a televised candidate forum.

With little more than one month remaining before the Aug. 24 primary, Don Baldauf and incumbent Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, fielded several questions at the METV studios.

Neither Democrats or Republicans have done well on government spending, Buchanan explained, calling for a Constitutional balanced budget amendment.

Florida, Bradenton, Manatee County and the island cities all need a balanced budget and to “stay within our means,” he said, and so does our federal government.

Buchanan also called it “outrageous” for the federal government to be sending so much aid to Africa while plenty of Americans are suffering.

As for local job creation, Buchanan said Port Manatee is the key, and that he’ll continue to work toward spurring new jobs with Panamanian trade.

Baldauf was adamant that it is necessary to “severely reduce our federal government” to save money. He cited unconstitutional regulatory agencies that are not accountable to the people.

“We need to reduce these agencies” to create wealth, he said.

Government stands in the way of business, Baldauf continued.

“We need to eliminate investment fears. Let business take care of business,” he said

Both candidates spoke in favor of the Arizona law on immigration.

But, Baldauf said, the rules shouldn’t be one size fits all, because there are four types of immigrants — drug dealers and criminals, terrorists, people who have been taught that the southwestern United States is stolen property from Mexico and, lastly, people who actually want to become Americans.

“The federal government hasn’t done their job,” Buchanan said of immigration law.

They are spending billions of dollars to care for immigrants and their health and welfare, when that money should be spent on America’s veterans, seniors and children, he added.

In light of the Gulf oil disaster, Buchanan said yes to drilling in Alaska, but not here.

The oil industry lacks the capability to do offshore drilling safely, he said.

“We need to get off foreign oil,” Buchanan said, noting that petrol dollars are funding terrorist activities.

Baldauf, who is pro-drilling, said Florida needs to reclaim submerged lands from the federal government.

“The federal government can’t manage a hot dog stand, much less submerged lands,” he said.

The primary election is set for Aug. 24, while the general election will be Nov. 2.

The program was taped at METV studios, and can be viewed at Bradenton.com. It will also air at various times before the primary on Bright House Channel 614; Verizon Channel 31, and Comcast Channel 19.