Jasper Debate: Baron Hill Panel Q&A Liveblog

Energy Independence? Dropped some gratuitous references to the committees he is on, as if that is so important. We need bridges, Baron says, except we just can’t drill for oil to power the cars that would drive on them. Talks about expensive hydrogen cars that he got to drive because he’s a member of Congress.

Lobbyists? Baron says he doesn’t take a whole lot of lobbying money. Says he wants public financing; because taxpayer dollars should bankroll his reelection campaign.

Trade policy? Baron says our trade agreements need to be changed, despite the fact that he voted for almost every free trade agreement that came before him for a vote. “There’s nothing wrong with trading with a communist country so long as you make money.” No mention of all of the jobs Indiana has lost because of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. Some empty rhetoric about fair trade provisions.

Education? Take a shot if he says No Child Left Behind. Wait for it... Wait for it... [insert gratuitous reference to irrelevant committee assignments here] Education, Baron says, is important. Duh. He made it through without an NCLB reference. I am amazed.

Change? Baron says he is a better person. This was obviously reflected in the negative campaign he and his allies have waged, and the way he treated his constituents in town halls like the one in Sellersburg. Baron says he is a better listener; I don’t see much example of that. He wasn’t listening to members of his own party when he endorsed Barack Obama.

Bailout? Baron voted against it twice. Wow. He’s so brave.

Immigration? Baron wants to increase penalties for people for smugglers of illegal immigrants, but he couldn’t get his measure through the Senate, despite his own party controlling it.

Term limits? Baron opposes term limits; they would be a crimp on his career. They would, he says, mean “losing your power.” Experience and seniority are power, he says, and he wants lots of power. He fears lobbyists and special interests then having all of the experience and power. It’s not clear to me how that would be any different than the current situation.

Wild forests? Natural ecosystems? Baron loves “Mother Earth, God’s green earth.” He’s glad to be endorsed by green special interest and lobbying groups (though he decried special interests and lobbyists earlier).

Roe v. Wade? Baron opposes the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Baron says he personally opposes abortion. He just doesn’t have the convictions to vote that way. Uses his own daughter as a political prop to explain his position; shameless.

How is this year’s election different than last year? Positive campaign? Baron claims that his campaign has been positive. The audience snickers. Baron claims that he has heard rumors of a negative ad in the field against him.

Joe the Plumber? Baron supports the progressive income tax and speaks about it historically. He doesn’t answer the question about why hard-work should be punished with higher taxes.

College education? Everybody, Baron says, should have access to college education. Nevermind their qualifications for college, everybody should be able to go. Again uses his daughter as a political prop.

Wrapup? We aren’t doing enough to balance the budget. Apparently, we are not taxing enough, because Baron didn’t say a word about cutting spending in the entire time he was on stage.

Baron clearly suffers in any format that requires him to actually open his mouth in a place where someone might actually hear him. Thirty-second ads, scripted speeches, and press releases written by somebody else are his prefered methods of campaigning.