Intense, relentless attacks headline King-Mowrer debate

STORM LAKE, Ia. – Before Thursday night's debate in the congressional race between Republican Steve King and Democrat Jim Mowrer, I was disappointed that King had agreed to participate in only one such event.

Now, I'm almost glad these candidates are meeting only once. The candidates' discourse was so heated at times that I almost expected the fire alarm to go off before the end of the hour.

Mowrer, a first-time candidate, was relentlessly on the attack during most of the debate, televised live from Buena Vista University. One of the testiest exchanges came when Mowrer and King argued over the role of the U.S. military in containing Ebola in West Africa.

King said American military personnel should not be ordered to serve in Ebola-infected countries unless they volunteer for the mission.

"I don't believe that they should be ordered to face an unseen enemy that we don't understand, the silent killer of Ebola," he said.

Mowrer, who served in Iraq with the Army National Guard, jabbed at King's lack of military service.

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"As a soldier, I understand you volunteer when you raise your right hand, and you're willing to sacrifice everything for this country," Mowrer said. "Soldiers follow orders. This is a job that needs to be done. That's why Congressman King never volunteered for the military."

Some in the audience gasped. King looked like he'd swallowed a spider. Asked for a response, he said, "I think this judgment to do this debate speaks for itself." He declined to elaborate.

I'm not sure if King was comparing his participation in the debate to volunteering for combat, but he seemed to be regretting his decision to attend.

The six-term congressman had threatened to pull out of the debate unless Mowrer took down a TV ad that King said lied about his record.

Mowrer did not take down the ad, but King decided to participate in the debate anyway.

Perhaps if there were more debates, Mowrer would have paced himself.

Instead, he took a scorched-earth approach, attacking King in nearly every answer.

For example, he agreed to a degree with King that there was a need to cut through regulatory "red tape" while protecting the environment.

But, he added, King has "never passed any real legislation, he's never brought anything home to Iowa, he's not getting the job done."

King, who often sat back in his seat and crossed his arms, said, "This gets really tiresome, and it's really tiresome."

Mowrer shot back, "We're tired of your leadership."

King argued that he has been effective by getting amendments attached to successful legislation, including taking credit for work on the farm bill. He scoffed to Mowrer, "You have no record."

Between volleys, the candidates outlined sharply opposite positions on nearly all the major issues.

King's approach to immigration reform is sealing the border and then enforcing existing laws. Mowrer supports the Senate's comprehensive bill that King refers to as "amnesty."

King, of course, would repeal Obamacare. Mowrer says there are parts of the law he'd like to change, but he would keep most of it intact.

They agreed, however, that there's still a need for farm subsidies and that the automatic budget cuts passed through sequestration in 2011 are carving military spending too deeply.

Mowrer has matched and even exceeded King in fundraising during this campaign, but he faces an uphill battle in party registration in the district.

Undecided voters would have seen him as articulate and sharp, but some may have been turned off by the intensity of his negative focus on King.

In particular, Mowrer could have made his same point about military service without raking King's civilian status.

King had reason to take offense at times, but he overplayed the martyr in weathering Mowrer's attacks. Running for re-election means a candidate has a duty to defend his record. King may think he deserves combat pay after this debate, but he shouldn't expect a medal for showing up.

The debate aired live on Iowa Public Television and it will be rebroadcast on "Iowa Press" at 7 p.m. Friday and noon Sunday. You can watch it online at IPTV.org/IowaPress.