Video: Reichert and Burner debate

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BELLEVUE, Wash. – Republican Congressman Dave Reichert and his Democratic challenger Darcy Burner debated Wednesday in the rematch of their 2006 race for Washington’s 8th District seat.

Much like Tuesday’s presidential debate, the tone at Bellevue’s Maydenbauer Center was polite and cordial with only a few zingers on either side. Reichert and Burner were asked about everything from Iraq to abortion, but the focus was the economy.

Both opposed the $700 billion bailout.

"In my opinion, there was not enough protection for those tax dollars,” said Reichert.

"The same people who got us into this mess aren't going to get us out of it,” said Burner.

The two also differed on who has a better plan to help average Americans on Main Street versus Wall Street. Burner pointed to her economics degree from Harvard. Reichert said he had a track record of bringing together people with varied expertise to come up with bipartisan solutions.

The first zinger came from Burner as she proposed cutting taxes for the middle class while investing more in education and infrastructure.

"Does that mean that short term that we may have to stop shrink wrapping pallets of cash and shipping them off to Haliburton in Iraq?  It may. That's a tradeoff I'm willing to make,” said Burner.’

Reichert countered that rapid withdrawal from Iraq could be disastrous.

"The truth is that this is not a responsible plan. It’s an irresponsible plan,” said Reichert.

On Afghanistan, Reichert said success depends on bringing together tribal chiefs with the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the U.S. to work out a plan to fight terrorists. Burner says the U.S. needs to work with its allies to solve the problems there, which she says the Bush Administration hasn’t done.

A small protest outside the debate highlighted the candidates’ differences on abortion, which evoked emotional responses during the debate.

"The idea that there are politicians who think that they have the right to tell people fundamental choices about what happens with their bodies is absurd,” said Burner.

"My religious belief is that life begins at conception and in this country, we are all allowed to believe what we want to believe. That's why we call it a free country,” said Reichert.

There were lighter moment, like when Reichert repeatedly cut himself short to follow time constraints.

“You know, the cop and the red light. I get it,” said the former King County Sheriff in regards to the signal that his time was up.

Burner talked about the lessons learned when her house burned down in July.

"I was reminded of how important my family and my community are and how much we can overcome together. Now everyone in this room, this district, this country is facing a crisis,” said Burner.

Reichert is seeking his third term in Congress. He defeated Burner by just over 7,200 votes in 2006 out of 251,383 cast.

Another debate is set for Friday.