The Nebraska U.S. Senate candidates took aim at each Saturday other as we head into the final months of their campaigns.
Deb Fischer and Bob Kerrey spoke about a huge range of issues...at their first debate, which took place at the Nebraska state fair.
The Kerrey-Fischer debate brought many strong statements about what they will do if they grab the Senate seat and head to Washington D.C.
Two main topics discussed were illegal immigration and social security.
"I support securing our borders. This is a national security issue and I'm not just talking about the southern border. I'm talking about the northern border and our ports as well," said Fischer.
Fischer also says businesses should have an e-verify system and she doesn't support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants but Kerrey does and he supports a plan from a prominent Republican.
"I support the Romney plan. I've endorsed the Romney plan which allows people to serve in the military to get legal status, there's nothing wrong with that," said Kerrey.
For the social security issue both candidates say that the current system needs to be changed.
"I'd say social security and medicare are probably the top two programs in rural Nebraska. It creates a tremendous amount of jobs, but we got a promise that will be impossible to keep," said Kerrey.
"Let me be perfectly clear, I will not cut benefits for anyone over 40 [years old]," said Fischer.
"If you look at my record you'll see what a number of people call my signature bill-- it's a highway funding bill," said Fischer.
"That earmark for sales tax is bad legislation. I would veto it," said Kerrey.
According to www.ontheissues.org Fischer did support a tax in 2008 for the highway funding bill but says it was base gas tax on price and not volume to pay for highways.
The candidates did find a little bit of common ground. They both would vote "yes" on the current farm bill...especially the crop insurance mandate.
For more information on the candidates here's the link to their campaign sites:
Deb Fischer: http://debfischer2012.com/ and
Bob Kerrey: http://www.bobkerrey.com/.
So far this is the only debate scheduled for Fischer and Kerrey.
