Next month, voters will elect a new U.S. senator to replace a retiring Carl Levin yet, Democratic nominee Gary Peters and Republican nominee Terri Lynn Land remain unable to agree to a formal debate. Instead of a clash of candidates, Michigan has been forced to endure futile negotiations and debates about scheduling a debate.
We believe voters deserve the opportunity to watch both candidates answer tough questions, as Gov. Rick Snyder and Rep. Mark Schauer did Sunday night, in a debate of some kind. That's why Local4/ClickonDetroit is challenging Peters and Land to participate in our "virtual debate."
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The format is simple. We'll avoid the empty formality of opening and closing statements. Questions addressed to Land and Peters are below. They're invited to submit three-minute video answers. Candidates may also submit two-minute rebuttals to their opponent's answers.
The only rule, beyond the time limits for responses, is that the candidates must answer the questions by themselves. No surrogates, and no one else in the shot. They can save the human backdrops for election night speeches.
We have provided both campaigns with information about how to submit video responses and we'll post them as soon as we receive them. There is no deadline to respond and participation is voluntary. If a candidate elects to not answer any or all of these questions, it's up to voters to draw their own conclusion from that silence. Of course, we sincerely hope both candidates will participate.
Welcome to our Virtual U.S. Senate Debate…
Taxes and deficits
Secretary Land, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that effective federal income tax rates for families are at their lowest levels since the 1950s, yet the federal government runs a budget deficit of nearly $500 billion. Is it possible to balance the budget without raising taxes?
Congressman Peters, you've attacked GOP efforts such as the "Ryan Budget" to shrink the deficit, saying they would "end the Medicare Guarantee, make drastic cuts to education and infrastructure, and decimate the social safety net." What federal spending would you support cutting to balance the budget?
Health care
Congressman Peters, as someone who voted for the Affordable Care Act, are you satisfied with "Obamacare" as implemented?
Secretary Land, you have said you would support repealing Obamacare. Is there a health care reform plan you would support to replace the current policy?
Immigration
This question is directed to both candidates: Do you view the recent immigration caused by an influx of Central American children as primarily a humanitarian or national security issue, and why?
Again, a question for both candidates: Describe the framework of your ideal comprehensive immigration reform plan?
Education
Secretary Land, you're strongly opposed to the Common Core educational standards saying: "I support ending the Washington-imposed standards on local schools in Common Core and returning the power to our teachers, local communities and parents." To that end do you support repealing No Child Left Behind and/or abolishing the U.S. Department of Education?
Congressman Peters, do you support the Race to the Top program's use of Common Core as criteria to award federal education funding?
Military and foreign policy
Congressman Peters, do believe our response to ISIS has been appropriate and effective?
Secretary Land, in the wake of the Ferguson controversy, Sen. Tom Coburn introduced legislation to prevent the Pentagon from providing local police departments with military equipment. If elected, would you support your GOP colleague's effort to demilitarize local police?
Campaign Finance
Our final question is also directed toward both candidates: Both of you have been attacked on the airwaves by ads funded by out-of-state interest groups theoretically unconnected to your official campaigns. Does the current campaign finance structure best serve voters? And if not, how would you improve it?