Larsen, Bart differ on $700 billion federal aid package

SAM TAYLOR - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and his Republican challenger, Rick Bart, were cordial during a debate Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the conservative-oriented Northwest Business Club.

The crowd apparently wasn't feeling the same way toward their Democratic congressman, however. They shot accusations at Larsen about Sen. Barack Obama's wife being racist and the congressman's support of an initial federal financial rescue package that some conservatives believe supported a group with socialist and communist ties. That allegation is inaccurate.

Larsen and Bart squared off on the federal financial aid package of more than $700 billion, which Larsen voted for last week and Bart vehemently said he would have voted 'no' on, had he been in the House of Representatives.

ANDY BRONSON | THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

"It was necessary and it was necessary now," Larsen told the group, saying he had no problem defending the votes he makes, and saying that the aid package was only one measure that will be taken.

The candidates didn't even agree on how to phrase the measure, officially called the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, with Larsen calling it a "financial rescue package" and Bart, the former Snohomish County sheriff, terming it a "bailout" or a "buyout."

Bart said he took issue with the plan because federal officials went behind closed doors to figure out how to deal with the economic crisis, rather than being upfront with the public.

"The American people were not given enough information," Bart said. "We were just told we had to do it."

Larsen told the crowd that the decision was a tough but important one, and that he understood people were "passionate" about the issue. His office heard from thousands of constituents on the issue.

"The calls ran 50-50," Larsen said. "50 percent were 'no' and 50 percent were 'hell no'."

Bart chimed in later that he was "one of the 'hell-nos.'"

Larsen said he and others in Congress ensured that the measure included major protections for taxpayers, including massive oversight - "like flies at a picnic," there would be so much, he said - to ensure the money was being used responsibly.

"I think we're finding we can't create money out of thin air," Bart said. "We handed over the keys of the treasury to the private sector, which shouldn't have happened."

Also in attendance Wednesday were many of the candidates for the state Legislature, who all were asked to say whether they would support or oppose raising taxes while the state faces a projected $3.2 billion shortfall in the 2009-11 budget cycle.

Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, and her opponent, Republican Jere Hawn, both said no to new taxes. Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, and his Democratic challenger, Mark Flanders, said no. Republican state Senate candidate Steve Van Luven also said no to new taxes.