By Mary O’KEEFE

The League of Women Voters Glendale/Burbank – LWV – held virtual debates on Monday afternoon that featured candidates for the 43rd State Assembly and the 28th Congressional District. Though LWV has sponsored debates for many years during COVID-19 it had to make some changes.

“We arranged this debate back in July and August,” said Joan Hardie, LWV debate coordinator. “It was originally scheduled to be an in-person forum.”

However, due to some of the members being at high risk for COVID-19 and in response to the Los Angeles County guidelines/restrictions, “We decided to opt for a virtual event,” she said.

Hardie added it was not a decision that was made by the candidates but only by the members of the LWV, who also decided on the debate guidelines that included rules regarding moderator Rita Zwern muting candidates who spoke over each other or past their allotted times.

Candidates spoke from their chosen location. The questions were chosen by members of LWV and the public.

“We hope that the candidates will find these questions challenging and give you, the voters, [the information] to make informed decisions,” said Mary Dickson, LWV member. “Today’s candidate forum rules call for adherence to the terms of civil discourse by both candidates and the public. The hallmark of democracy is willingness of all members of our community to treat each other with courtesy and with respect – not just with the people we agree with. It is in that spirit we are here this afternoon to engage in a vital part of our democratic process.”

Courtesy and respect were not exactly in the forefront in the 28th Congressional debate between incumbent Adam Schiff and candidate Eric Early. The differences between the two candidates were made obvious by their responses to the questions.

Both candidates, Early in his opening statement and Schiff in his closing statement, wished President Donald Trump and the First Lady well and each a rapid recovery from COVID-19; however, that is where the agreement on any subject ended.

Early stated he felt this race was a “battle of good versus evil” and that the inspiration for him to run was the impeachment trial of the President, which Congressman Schiff led. Schiff stated his top two priorities were for the future.

“We need to defeat this virus,” he said referring to COVID-19. “We need to end the pandemic.”

The first question asked what role the federal government should have played in the COVID-19 pandemic: “What steps should be taken to ensure these responsibilities are clearly delineated going forward for future pandemics and other disaster mobilization efforts?”

“I wish, frankly, in this day and age the federal government had more control over the response to COVID but, pursuant to the U.S. Constitution and the matter of federalism, as many folks have heard this matter for control of the state gets turned over to the governor of the state,” Early said.

He went on to criticize Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to COVID-19 as well as the response from Los Angeles County and Dr. Barbara Ferrer and their handling of the pandemic, including shutdowns.

“People need to realize it didn’t have to be this way. We came into this pandemic better prepared than any other nation on Earth, with stronger health infrastructure and some of the most preeminent scientists of the world,” Schiff said.

He then went on to criticize the President and his administration for the “incompetent” response. Schiff then responded to the question by stating he has introduced legislation, if passed, that would take effect next year that would establish a bipartisan committee to analyze what went wrong. This would be similar to the committee established after 9/11.

Another question dealt with the estimated $2.2 trillion deficit and the importance of the rising debt due to COVID-19.

Schiff agreed there should be concerns over the deficit, which was one of the reasons he opposed the $2.2 trillion tax cut that was recently signed into law. The deficit is expected to grow if the federal government approves more spending in pandemic aid but Schiff said he thinks this is something that is needed.

“We have to help [people]. We have to provide unemployment compensation and help for small businesses. Many people have put their whole life into wonderful businesses only to see them close their doors. … We can’t go back to an austerity budget coming out of this crisis. Once we do we need to restore prosperity. We have to make sure to have a plan to reduce the deficit and the debt that have occurred.”

Early stated the federal deficit is one of the largest problems the country faces, and blamed Schiff for approving past budgets.

When asked what they thought of the federal government financially helping local states, the candidates had opposing opinions.

“Our state of California was financially bankrupt for years, way before COVID ever hit us,” Early said. He pointed to the state legislature’s tax policies.

“They are taxing us into oblivion,” he said.

He added that although he wanted to help his constituents in the 28th District he did not think that other states should bail out California.

Schiff said he was in favor of helping states with federal funding, pointing out that when a state needs support after a natural disaster Congress does not take into consideration if it is a blue or red state. Congress would not just approve funding for one state but for all states.

The debate continued as differences between the candidates’ styles and opinions became more and more evident.

To view the debate, visit The Burbank Channel on YouTube.

Next week, CVW will share information about the debate between 43rd Assembly candidates Laura Friedman and Mike Graves.

  Mary Okeefe