The only scheduled debate between U.S. Rep. John Spratt and Republican challenger Mick Mulvaney, a Lancaster County senator, drew a packed house of more than 220 spectators to Rock Hill’s River Hills Country Club Tuesday night. Wednesday Mulvaney challenged Spratt to debate in all counties in the 5th Congressional District. Spratt has said in the past that he’s sure there would be “more forums” before the November election.
Rock Hill Herald reporter Matt Garfield was one of the reporters present for the debate.
He says each candidate handled himself well and each candidate had his moments.
Mulvaney appears to be a very cool and relaxed debater. And Spratt held up well, I thought. He had no problems hearing, or answering the questions or moving around, interacting with the audience. I think both candidates were really on their games and they’ll need to be, the way attention on this race has ratcheted up over the last month or so.
Spratt chairs the House budget committee, which did not pass a budget resolution this year. Mulvaney has drawn attention to that. Garfield notes that they passed alternative measures instead, like the pay-go plan which requires Congress to pay for any new spending.
The health care reform bill was a focus of the debate, as it has been the main focus of the race. Garfield says Mulvaney got into the race because of Spratt’s support of the bill.
He has hammered Spratt at every turn, saying he abandoned his district by supporting the bill. Spratt counters that the bill is not perfect but will improve coverage for millions of Americans and eventually cut into health care costs. He says there are numerous tax credits for small businesses to increase coverage for their employees.
Garfield says the night’s most dramatic moment came when Spratt brought up his opponent’s role in Edenmoor, a planned development community in Indian Land where bond money was used to pay for public improvements such as streets and sewer lines. Spratt’s bringing up the subject really shocked Mulvaney. Garfield says the issue came up during Mulvaney’s 2008 race for state senate. Mulvaney has said he sold his ownership stake in Edenmoor in 2005 and that the only bonds issued were private.
AUDIO: Reporter Matt Garfield on Edenmoore issue (1:36)
