No divide at debate

Tom Campbell and Chuck DeVore did little to showcase the differences between their political beliefs Tuesday night at Brandman University in Irvine.

The town hall forum, hosted by the subsidiary of Chapman University, was driven by live-audience and e-mailed questions. Carly Fiorina, the third Republican candidate for Sen. Barbara Boxer’s seat, refused to attend because she did not believe moderator Mike Moodian to be “fair and impartial.”

The majority of questions focused on health care. Certain issues highlighted the differences between the moderate conservative Campbell and the staunch conservative DeVore. Campbell has been quoted as supporting Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation while DeVore has been opposed, saying he supports the words of the Constitution, rather than following a “living Constitution.”

DeVore also emphasized his rejection of the Wall Street bailout and refusal to raise taxes, pointing out that Campbell supported a statewide tax, as well as a proposed gas tax for state residents. Campbell defended his actions by citing Ronald Reagan, who proposed a similar bill and stressed that what is needed to solve problems at the state level will not work on the federal level.

Family practitioner Thomas Badin asked the candidates about the abuse of congressional power in regards to the recent health-care legislation. While Badin believed Campbell had a better understanding of the issues as someone who has worked on the federal level, he could not say for certain who he would vote for.

“I am leaning more towards Campbell because he had a better background, but I was disappointed that [Fiorina] was not there,” he said.

Campbell and DeVore agreed with Badin with regards to health care and explained that reforms are necessary, but not an overhaul of the entire system.

Amy Thoma, Fiorina’s spokeswoman, attended.

“They both essentially argued that a candidate needs to be a career politician, but we have citizen government and citizens should have a chance to participate,” she said.