By Kentucky Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-914384.mp3
Louisville, Ky. – U.S. Senate candidates Rand Paul and Jack Conway traded barbs Thursday in a forum sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Bureau. As KPR's Rick Howlett reports, the two fielded questions on agricultural issues from bureau board members during the two-hour event in Louisville.
Conway, a Democrat and Kentucky's attorney general, contends Paul wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nutritional programs it provides. "We're talking about over 500 thousand children here in the commonwealth of Kentucky in the school lunch program, about a quarter of a million kids in the commonwealth of Kentucky in a breakfast program."
Paul, the Republican nominee and a Bowling Green eye surgeon, says he doesn't want to eliminate the USDA, but wants the government to take a hard look at federal farm subsidies and other programs that cost billions of dollars. "If you want to be for farmers, open up markets, jack, but don't just say I'll give you money when the money is gone. We're two trillion dollars in debt every year now."
Conway and Paul are vying for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Jim Bunning, who is not seeking re-election.
ADDITIONAL REPORT
Kentucky's two U.S. Senate candidates fielded agriculture-related questions during a two-hour forum Thursday at the Kentucky Farm Bureau state headquarters in Louisville.
Republican Rand Paul spent a lot of time talking about what he calls the nation's number one issue, the national debt. He says his Democratic opponent, Jack Conway, is not interested in bringing it under control. "The national Democrats are too liberal for the Democrats and for the moderate and independents in our state. But he will vote in leadership for the folks who will continue this spending spree."
Conway says he's as concerned about the debt as Paul, and won't be in lockstep with the Democratic leadership if elected. "I'm a fiscally responsible Democrat. I want a government that we can afford. I can tell you we can't afford Rand Paul, we can't afford Rand Paul."
Paul and Conway are seeking the senate seat now held by republican Jim Bunning, who's not seeking re-election.