Friday, October 22, 2010

Fitzpatrick, Murphy Debate Health Care, Jobs

Murphy (L), Pezza (C), Fitzpatrick (R) (Tom Sofield)
People packed the lobby of the Bucks County Community College’s Bristol Campus Thursday mid-day as the final debate between incumbent 8th District Congressman Democrat Patrick Murphy and Republican opponent Mike Fitzpatrick was held in front of a packed room of people.


The debate was the last of five scheduled face-to-face debates between the two candidates who represent large parts of Bucks, Montgomery and a small portion Philadelphia county before the November 2 elections.


Murphy and Fitzpatrick prepared for the debates in small rooms on campus, fittingly Democrat Murphy was in the room on and left and Republican Fitzpatrick was in the room on the right of Murphy.

Bucks County Community College instructor Bill Pezza who personally knows both the candidates and their families moderated the debate.

Pezza said, “These gentlemen deserve our civility” and urged audience members to make their voice heard at the voting booth not during the debate.

Which candidate would speak first was chosen by a coin toss which Murphy won.


In opening statements the incumbent Murphy who in recent polling is trailing Fitzpatrick said he wanted to bring manufacturing jobs back to the area because, “we can’t remain a service based economy.”
“I’m running for U.S. Congress because I disagree with our direction”, said Fitzpatrick in his opening remarks he then focused on Murphy’s support of the stimulus, health care reform and big government.



A main issue was the health care reform law past earlier this year also known as Obamacare.

Fitzpatrick told the audience that while Murphy’s support of the health care reform was most likely well intentioned it “missed its mark.”
(Tom Sofield)

Murphy rebutted by saying, “I did the homework and voted for a bill that would help the middle class.”

“When he had the chance to lead he didn’t”, said Fitzpatrick who held Murphy’s office before him, he stated that since Murphy took office unemployment nearly doubled.

At a time in our history where the Pennsylvanian unemployment rate is close to 9 percent a hot topic for the candidates and attendees was jobs.

Fitzpatrick told the crowd more jobs would be created if business taxes were reformed and the resulting fewer taxes would lead to our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit being brought back which would create more jobs.

Murphy focused on his idea bringing manufacturing jobs back to the area. Murphy also told of how Fitzpatrick when he was in office supported international trade agreements that lead to American jobs being shipped to Central America
(Tom Sofield)

Our dependence on foreign energy sources also led to comments about creating jobs.

Murphy asked the audience in reference to foreign gasoline, “Why send money overseas to people who don’t like us?” He then spoke of his support of the Green Jobs Academy at Bucks County Community College and the efforts to turn the old U.S. Steel plant into a green jobs hub.

“All I heard was Mr. Murphy talk about the Green Jobs Academy. Are these jobs which really exist?” asked Fitzpatrick.

Murphy responded by saying bringing in the green industry is about bringing jobs to the area.

The two candidates who are both graduates of Bucks County Community College spared on issue of education spending.

Murphy slammed Fitzpatrick by telling the crowd Fitzpatrick cut funding for education which affects Bucks County Community College.

Fitzpatrick passionately told the crowd as a county commissioner he helped expand Bucks County Community College and get funding for the Bristol campuses construction.

The issue of illegal immigration was the only issue both candidates could agree on.

Fitzpatrick told the crowd of students, community members, local and national media, “I am against amnesty” The former congressman also outlined a plan give illegal’s a window of time to leave the United States and if they left in the windows provided they would be welcomed to apply for legal citizenship.

Murphy responded with, “That's a fair solution to me.”

The debate lasted a little more than an hour and both candidates thanked everyone for coming out and being part of the democracy.

Both candidates received much applause with Murphy supporters making a little more noise.

(Tom Sofield)
Pezza also congratulated the audience for keeping the event civil.

“I thought it was exciting for students and the public, it gave both groups a deeper view of the issues”, said Rich Lipsack, 18, a small business administration major and also president of the Lower Bucks Campus’s Programming Council.

Bucks County Community College President Dr. James J. Linksz said of the debate, “It went very well, I was very pleased by the way the college community and community at large welcomed the two candidates.”

Tom Sofield (tsofield@buxmontnews.com)
Online Editor

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