Kratovil, Harris spar in Cecil College debate

NORTH EAST -- Democrat Frank Kratovil said Republican Andy Harris is a partisan and a fake. Harris claimed Kratovil is a liberal and inconsistent on his positions. These were the messages voters heard at Tuesday night's 1st Congressional District debate sponsored by Cecil College and the Cecil Whig.

Kratovil, the Queen Anne's County state's Attorney and Harris, a state Senator from Cockeysville, often found common ground, but rarely acknowledged it.

Both candidates agreed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 -- the bailout package passed by Congress last week -- was the wrong move.

Kratovil said the government should stop giving tax breaks to Wall Street and the super wealthy and should start providing tax relief to the middle class and small businesses.

"We cannot continue to go down the path of giving big breaks to Wall Street as my opponent continues to suggest we should do. He still suggests that we should give tax breaks to Wall Street," said Kratovil.

Harris called his opponent's remarks "interesting," claiming Kratovil had switched positions.

"In the spring he said quote 'even talking about tax cuts is irresponsible,'" said Harris. "I guess it's just the silly political season now."

Harris continued: "Mr. Kratovil supported the bailout plan passed last Friday. Now you don't get a bigger break for Wall Street than that bailout plan. In fact, he went so far as to say, just yesterday, that the crisis is solved. Ladies and gentlemen, the crisis isn't solved," said Harris.

Kratovil denounced Harris's claims, saying he didn't favor the bailout at all.

"I didn't like the pork either, and I would not have voted for it. And I did not say the crisis was solved. What I said is our country tends to deal with issues on a crisis by crisis basis," said Kratovil.

Harris refused to step back and continued questioning Kratovil's motives.

"Mr. Kratovil. Just pick up The Daily Times," said Harris. "It's in quotes. It says quote 'we solved the crisis.' Now which is it? What you said yesterday in Salisbury or what you're saying today in Cecil College? I don't get it."

Challenging the consistency of Kratovil's positions became a key strategy for Harris during the debate.

"He says no new exploration in any new areas including the areas that are open for leases already," said Harris. "I disagree."

Kratovil responded by disputing Harris's claim.

"I have not suggested that we should not open, ever open any additional areas for drilling. What I have said, ladies and gentleman, is why are we talking about drilling off the coast of Ocean City before we know why we're not drilling in the areas that are already available," said Kratovil. "So I've never said that."

Harris shot back, again, by referencing his opponents past remarks.

"Well, you don't have to believe what I say. Go to The Star-Democrat," said Harris. "Mr. Kratovil said quote 'don't open up new areas for exploration for oil.' That's not what I said. That's what he said. He says something different now than what he says then. You'll have to ask him about that."

Kratovil went on the offense when the two discussed the Chesapeake Bay, but Harris still wouldn't let down without a fight.

"The most significant trait of our district is the bay," said Kratovil. "And he consistently votes against it."

Harris defended his record, arguing policies regarding the bay haven't worked for 20 years.

"It's not worked because we haven't had someone go down to Washington and say this is a multi-state regional plan and needs to be dealt with that way," said Harris.

The two even disputed over which candidate was the bigger partisan.

Kratovil has branded himself as a moderate in the race, but the Harris campaign continually suggests Kratovil's a liberal.

In that light, Kratovil mentioned he was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Victims by former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-Baltimore). He argued the incident was proof of his ability to reach across the aisle.

Harris, however, told the crowd he wanted to make it clear who Ehrlich was supporting.

"Bob Ehrlich supports me in this race," said Harris. 

Kratovil, however, pulled out a certificate as proof of the appointment.

"This is an appointment from the governor of Maryland signed by Bob Ehrlich," he said. "The point, Andy, is that I can work with anyone. Again, as opposed to what we've seen with you."

Harris shot back by tying Congressman Wayne Gilchrest's record to Kratovil's. Harris defeated the Stevensville Republican in the February primary, but Gilchrest threw his support behind Kratovil.

"Wayne Gilchrest now supports Barack Obama for president. I'm not gonna support Barack Obama for President," said Harris. "Wayne Gilchrest now says the problem with our budget -- this is a quote from The Washington Post this week -- is mainly because of evangelicals and neo-cons. I'm just gonna disagree."

Harris said he realized attacks come as part of a campaign, but stood by his record.

"I made those votes. I will always look at the legislation. That's what I've done in Annapolis," said Harris.

"I read ‘em. I actually pay attention. I'm willing to take a position on the floor that's contrary to the majority of my colleagues in the Republican Party," added Harris. "That's very different from my opponent's record. He's been a lifelong partisan."

Kratovil shot back.

"I've had appointments from both sides of the aisle unlike you," said Kratovil, who claimed Harris only takes positions with a finger in the wind.  "What people wanna do is say what people want to hear. That's what my opponent consistently does."

Kratovil and Harris are currently competing for Maryland's 1st Congressional District seat. The 1st district includes 12 of the 23 counties in the state, which encompasses all of the Eastern Shore and portions of Harford, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties.

The Kratovil-Harris race is ranked the 52nd most competitive U.S. House race in the nation on Politicker.com's Pindell Report. Politicker.com's Managing Editor James Pindell lists the race as "Leans Republican."