District 5 opponents face off for first time

Candidates to represent Colorado's 5th Congressional District differed Thursday on everything from marriage to the economy.

The debate between Republican Doug Lamborn, Democrat Hal Bidlack and American Constitution Party candidate Brian Scott was the only face-to-face meeting of the opponents before Tuesday's election.

Lamborn said the government went too far recently when Congress and the president approved a $700 billion bailout package intended to loosen credit markets. He voted against the measure. Lamborn also spoke out against abortion, gay marriage and tax increases. But he appeared to try to shake the image of a stooge for the GOP that some opponents have said fits his voting record. By various measurements, Lamborn has voted with the Republican Party nearly all the time.

"I wouldn't be proud of being the most partisan member of government," Bidlack told the crowd of 100-some people who showed up for the debate at Sand Creek High School. Bidlack said if elected he would relentlessly seek ways to cooperate with the opposing party.

Lamborn said he would oppose his party if its agenda ran counter to the state's needs, and he has worked with Democrats. He and U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., have worked together to urge the establishment of a veterans' cemetery in southern Colorado, he said.

But, "I will not be a water carrier for Nancy Pelosi," Lamborn continued, referring to the Democratic speaker of the House.

Bidlack gave different opinions on virtually every issue. Bidlack said he, too, opposed the economic bailout package, but for different reasons. Congress approved the measure too fast, he said, and it was too kind to the people who caused the mess, he said.

"If you've got an arsonist who set fire to a building, you don't say, ‘Here's another gallon of gas, go see if you can put it out,'" he said.

Bidlack said he personally opposes abortion, but he views a woman's right to chose as paramount and would vote "mostly" prochoice. He said the government shouldn't decide who's allowed to get married.

Brian Scott received applause a number of times for his views. He acknowledged, though, that as a member of a minor party he's unlikely to win the election. If he does win, Scott said his chief concern would be ending the war in Iraq. He said he would set up an office in Baghdad to call attention to the conflict.

Scott promised to serve only one term if elected. He said if he successfully ends the war he wouldn't need a second term, and if he fails he wouldn't deserve one.

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