Phillips for Congress debate - Part 1

Independent candidate Terry Phillips faced Republican incumbent Kevin McCarthy in a televised debate on Bakersfield NBC affiliate KGET (Ch. 17) broadcast on Oct. 14, 2012.
The debate was moderated by station anchors Jim Scott and Tami Mlcoch. Also participating were political consultants Gene Tackett and Cathy Abernathy.
“Viewers will clearly see that the congressman was unable to defend his poor record,” said Phillips, a Fresno-born small business owner and former network news war correspondent.
McCarthy failed to justify his votes against farmers, veterans and students. Early in the debate, for example, the two men differed on the congressman’s opposition to college Pell grants.
“Our students need more support, not less,” noted Phillips. “Kern County has a very low percentage of college graduates and has 13 percent unemployment - much worse than the national average.” As the cost of education has increased, McCarthy’s votes have resulted in less money for university students.
“Unfortunately, he always puts his party’s interests first, voting with his party 97 percent of the time,” said Phillips. “As an independent, I pledge to represent everyone in our district, to invest in our future and to put our people back to work.”
Wednesday’s event was the first and only time the congressman has debated a challenger running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Local observers now expect McCarthy to start spending millions in super PAC funds on a big ad campaign in the final weeks before Election Day, Nov. 6.
“My opponent is responsible for government gridlock,” said Phillips. “I will bring our people together.”