So Left It's Right

Altmire, Critz face off in primary debate.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 | 1:01 p.m.

It was "unclear at times" whether Reps. Jason Altmire (D) and Mark Critz (D) "were speaking to a primary electorate" or a gen. election audience. They "alternately raced to the left and back to the center" during April 9’s debate at the Univ. of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

It was Critz’s "home turf," but the crowd "was friendly, and Altmire earned his fair share of applause." Each candidate "boasted of his record of working across the aisle to find common, non-partisan solutions." Then, each argued "why he was the better" Dem.

Critz "struck early, hammering home a major attack from his campaign: Altmire’s vote in favor of a Balanced Budget Amendment." Critz: "This is where there’s a huge disagreement between Jason and I, is that, the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment, and independent study said that it would cost this country 15 million jobs. It would be devastating to Social Security and Medicare. ...Social Security and Medicare didn’t put us in this situation, they shouldn’t be used to balance the budget."

Altmire "didn’t back down" but reiterated his support for a BBA. He said the study Critz cited "was out of date and moot." Critz: “I do support balancing the budget. I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution because I don’t want to crowd out the vital spending that needs to be done on our earned programs."

Critz "charged" Altmire "with voting to repeal vital elements of the health care law." Critz: “The system we had [before the new law] was not working. Is the health care bill the answer? Does it solve all the issues? Well, no. It needs a lot of work... I voted every time to support the bill in its current form and worked to improve it.”

Another question "mentioned Planned Parenthood." It was Altmire’s turn "to attack." Altmire: “I am pro-life, but I have voted at every opportunity to provide funding for Planned Parenthood. ...My position is funding for Planned Parenthood helps prevent abortions."

The clearest example "of the dizzying left-to-center, back-to-left dynamic" was an email "sent mid-debate" from the Critz campaign. Critz email: "Altmire supported legislation that would allow insurance companies to deny coverage for contraception. ...A vote AGAINST H.R. 358 is a vote in support of women’s health.” Indeed Altmire "vote in favor for H.R. 358. So did Critz."

Critz: “I’m not the candidate trying to run as a pro-choice candidate." Altmire: “I’m not hiding from the fact that I’m pro-life. I am pro-life. Mark told you what my record is with pro-choice groups. The issue is on Planned Parenthood funding, that money does not fund abortions. That money funds cancer screenings and preventive health care for women.”

Critz "won applause" from the Dems in the crowd when he declared: “I’m pro-life, and I don’t hide from that fact.”

Likewise, Altmire "received a hearty hand when he stressed his tough stance on illegal immigration." Altmire: “I am a hard liner on illegal immigration. I think I am as hard line as anybody in the Congress on this issue. This has to be about preventing the illegal immigration from happening in the first place.” Critz echoed him "almost point for point" (Gibson, PoliticsPA, 4/9).

During the debate Altmire "looked beyond the April 24 primary" and portrayed himself as “the most viable Democratic nominee in the fall.” And Critz "stuck to his Johnstown roots while also playing up his endorsements from organized labor" (Faher, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 4/9).

Who Won?

PA local Debbie Church, "who was among numerous people wearing Critz stickers, said that she kept an open mind even during the debate despite of her support for Critz." Church: “I think it was a tie" (Sojak, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 4/9).

PoliticsPA's Gibson writes, "There was no definitive moment; each scored a few hits, each had to retreat a few times. Altmire’s experience on the stump showed and he came across more polished. Critz did a better job throwing red meat. Forced to pick, we’d give the edge to Altmire. He came out of the lion’s den with few scars, if any, and had some of the Critz sticker-wearers clapping despite themselves" (4/9).