Democrat Staci Appel and Republican David Young are holding their first debate in the third Congressional district race. Iowa Public Television will live-stream the Council Bluffs debate on the “Iowa Press” page. You can also watch on C-SPAN 2, which is channel 87 for Mediacom subscribers in Des Moines. I will be live-blogging the debate after the jump.

P.S.-I’ve also enclosed below the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s latest television commercial against Young. The format seems a little stale, and I wonder how many people even remember Young’s magic-themed ads before the Republican primary.

UPDATE: I didn’t realize the Appel campaign is also running a new ad. Scroll to the end to see that video and transcript.

FRIDAY UPDATE: Iowa Public Television has the debate video up on the “Iowa Press” page and will broadcast this debate tonight at 7 pm and Sunday morning.

I’ve added lots more below, including post-debate spin and Young’s second television commercial of the general election campaign, which started running on September 12. Young is presenting himself as a reasonable, moderate, experienced problem-solver. The theme of the Democratic communication is that Young spent the debate hiding from more radical positions he took as a Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate and later for IA-03. That’s accurate, but the reality is that Young does not present as a wild-eyed extremist. Voters may conclude that he was just pandering to wingnuts during the primary campaign.

Dean Borg asks the first question: how did you hear about the 9/11 attacks on that day in 2001, and how has that event changed her life? She was feeding her third child at the time with her 2 year old sitting next to her. Young was sitting at his office in Capitol Hill and someone told him to turn the tv. It changed his life because you realize every day could be your last day, you have to let people know you care for them.

Radio Iowa’s O.Kay Henderson asks whether Congress needs to be involved in decision on whether president can order air strikes against ISIS in Syria. Young says Obama has those powers under War Powers Act, but he thinks Congress should weigh in on this. How would he vote? He isn’t privy to intelligence on issue.

Appel says president has authority to act anytime our homeland is threatened, and we are threatened by ISIS. She agrees with approach combining air strikes, humanitarian aid, training people on the ground.

Young was happy to hear president use the word “destroy” with respect to ISIS.

Henderson notes that Rep. Dave Loebsack is concerned that it’s hard to tell who the good guys and bad guys are in Syria. Does Appel share that concern? Yes, that’s a concern, we need to make sure we know who we are working with.

Des Moines Register’s Kathie Obradovich follows up on this question of whether US should get more militarily involved in region. Appel says ISIS is growing. She looks at this as a mom. She wants her family to be protected, so she appreciates what the president is doing.

Young says the crisis is big and getting bigger. ISIS is on the move, they want control of oil fields in Middle East. Imagine what that could do to pocketbooks of Americans and to our economy.

Borg asks what Young would be doing if he were in Congress. Young says our State Dept should be taking passports away from people who are supporting terrorists in our country.

Appel says Congress has role of oversight. She says we need to work through the system–not supportive of taking away people’s passports.

Henderson asks what role US should play in ebola virus epidemic. Young says it’s unnerving a doctor infected with ebola is just over the border in Omaha (in special containment room), we need to push forward with vaccines as fast as we can. Henderson asks whether Congress should provide more money for this. Young says maybe, he’s not sure there has been a request.

Appel agrees that US has role in helping solve this problem. Asked if she’s worried about the doctor being treated in Omaha, says that doctor is a US citizen, and we should be taking care of him. His family wants him to be taken care of.

Next Q is about Obamacare. Does it need to be fixed? Appel says everyone has right to health care, there are great things in the Affordable Care Act (insurance companies can’t take away coverage when people get sick). Follow up: what needs to be fixed? She says people should be able to keep insurance policies they like, and we need to let Medicare negotiate drug prices. She is against repealing the law, it’s ridiculous Congress has voted 50 times to repeal. We should be voting to fix things.

Young thinks it’s a bad law. Should have been passed in a bipartisan way, could have been passed with 90 votes in the Senate, but they didn’t do that. Iowans are telling him every day that they are having problems with this law. Hurting relationships between employers and employees, between doctors and patients. Young acknowledges that thelaw can’t be repealed with this president. “It’s going to be there for the long haul.” (note from desmoinesdem: that’s different from what Young promised Republican primary voters)

Appel agrees that Medicaid should have been expanded. Would she expand it further? If need be, she would.

Henderson has next Q about the debt ceiling. Would Young tie future votes to raise debt ceiling to other issues, like Congressional Republicans did last year? Young doesn’t agree with further increases to debt ceiling

Appel says we need to work on where and how the money is being spent. When she was in the Iowa Senate, she chaired the State Government Committee and worked on a government reorganization bill. Appel thinks people elected to serve should be doing their job. Sounds like she is dodging question about whether debt ceiling should be increased.

Obradovich asks about infrastructure, gas tax increase. Young says the gas tax isn’t enough to cover needs of roads and bridges anymore, so we need a creative long-term solution that involves a user fee. Toll roads? He wouldn’t go for toll roads. It would be something like a gas tax, related to fuel used. We shouldn’t be depleting the highway trust fund.

Would Appel raise the gas tax, and what’s her commitment to infrastructure? She did not support raising the gas tax in the Iowa Senate. She agrees we have roads and bridges that need to be fixed. It’s a budget issue and we need to make it more of a priority. Obradovich asks should we borrow for this? Appel says this should be a priority, we should go through budget line by line. Dean Borg asks what would she take money away from to fund more road and bridge work. She says in the Iowa Senate we went through the budget line by line, looking for efficiencies.

Borg follows up with Young: is he for raising the gas tax? Young says we need to have that debate, as does the state legislature, but we need to consider other things too because of different vehicles on the road.

Next Q is on immigration. Young starts by talking about securing the border. He doesn’t trust this president or any president that the border is secure. Congress needs to have skin in the game to make sure border is secure. We live in the greatest country in the world, he understands people are coming here to better their lives, he favors guest worker program.

Do there need to be more workers brought into this country? Young says we may need to adjust immigration numbers to employment needs.

Appel asked whether Obama can act on his own, or should Congress act? She says Congress should act. We have a bipartisan bill sitting on John Boehner’s desk. It includes the DREAM Act, path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants. It’s ready to go, we need people ready to go up there and do the work.

After follow-up, Appel says Obama and Congress need to work together, but Congress needs to do their job.

Next Q is about unaccompanied children entering US from Central America. Young says you have to put a face on this. These are children separated from families. Governors should be informed because there are real health needs.

Appel asked, send them home or resettle them here? She says there’s a process for finding out why they are here. Iowa’s always been welcoming to refugees. Borg asks if she is welcoming. Yes, I’m a mom, a mom of six. Can’t imagine how hard it would be as a mom to send your child miles and miles away.

Young says he’s hearing from teachers that we need to take care of our children first.

Now “Iowa Press” shows the DCCC ad against David Young. He says the ad is laughable. Words are twisted. He has seen DC up close, and it’s ugly. He knows how to work within that system to help people. He will not run away from his service to Iowa with Senator Grassley. Meeting with Iowans, talking to them on the phone, helping them with their problems.

Now the debate moderators show the NRCC’s first ad against Staci Appel. Her response: They try to take away from what my record is. My record is creating preschool for 4 year olds, reorganizing state government, equal pay for equal work, statewide smoking ban,  those are all major pieces of legislation she worked on. She says the funding mentioned in that ad was vetoed (by Governor Chet Culver), and the funding for restoration of organ was a matching program with Senator Grassley’s support.

Young says those votes are real. Appel voted for the largest budget in state history, had to be bailed out by federal stimulus funds. It’s news to him that she was concerned with government accountability.

Appel defends her record, and especially on reorganizing government.

Young says working with Grassley he has seen a lot of fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, from defense contractors to welfare.

Appel says we made government more efficient.

Obradovich notes most voters in district probably don’t know the candidates well. How would they introduce themselves?

Young says he knows how to listen. My mouth is open now but usually when I’m in towns in IA-03 I listen. I remember who my boss is. If I’m humbled and honored to be elected, I will remember who my boss is. Look what happened to ERic Cantor. He forgot who he was and who his boss was. I believe the best government governs closest to people.

Appel says she’s an independent thinker with record of getting things done for state of Iowa. She learned in the state Senate that Democrats don’t have all the right ideas, and Republicans don’t have all the right ideas.

Obradovich asks Young why people should trust he’ll do what he says, because he has no voting record. He says he’ll hit the ground running.If anyone wants to know if they can trust him, just ask Chuck Grassley. He wouldn’t hire anyone as chief of sta

Borg asks differences between them. Young says he’s for balanced budget, Appel voted for largest budget in state history and voted against creating govt accountabiity office.

Appel asks what differentiates her form Young. She says we had to balance the budget in state legislature. She’s an independent thinker, she has a record of service, she’s a mom. She would not have supported govt shutdown, Young did.

Henderson asks about balanced budget amendment to constitution. Appel believes in balanced budget with taking care of Social Security and Medicare. She would not vote for balanced budget amendment. Young says he would vote for a balanced budget amendment if it allowed busting caps in wartime.

Henderson asks about Social Security and Medicare. Appel says we need to create great jobs to have more people paying into system. Appel repeats that Medicare should be able to negotiate for lower drug prices. It’s personal for her, because her mom has huge co-pays for medications she needs that are very expensive through Medicare.

Henderson asks about lifting cap on Social Security tax for higher income. Appel says that when she was a financial adviser we made promises to people. She dodges question about lifting the cap on income taxable to Social Security.

Young criticizes raiding Social Security trust fund. He says President Ronald Reagan and Democratic Speaker of the House got together and put everything on the table. He would take raising retirement age off the table. He wants to be at the table when they discuss other solutions.

Appel says Young has applauded privatizing Social Security and changing Medicare Young says can you provide a quote? Appel says they can provide that. Young says so many Americans look to mutual funds or stocks to get a better return on investment. Appel says as a financial consultant she saw how many people’s 401Ks went way down.

Borg follows up: Appel’s not in favor of raising retirement age, doesn’t want private investment accounts, so what would she do to change it? Appel says we need to keep it just like it is. We need to create more good-paying jobs to have more people paying into system.

Borg asks about minimum wage. Appel supports $10.10 minimum wage. She supported raising the minimum wage in the Iowa Senate, but that was seven years ago. People need a raise. Young agrees that it’s time to raise the minimum wage, but we need to do it in a bipartisan way. He doesn’t name a dollar figure but doesn’t rule out $10.10. He would reauthorize it the way it’s been done in the past–he seems to think small businesses should get some kind of tax credits to compensate for extra costs from raising minimum wage.

Appel claims that before this evening, Young has always opposed raising minimum wage. Young says no, he has said before he’s for raising minimum wage. Follow-up: is this a job killer like many Republicans say? He says job losses could be offset with tax incentives he supports.

Next Q is about Renewable Fuels Standard. Young supports it, but not EPA “meddling” with it. Should be set by Congress.

Appel says she backs the RFS, Iowa’s economy depends on that, and her opponent has said he’s for phasing it out. Borg says I didn’t hear him say that this evening. Appel says it’s interesting, he didn’t say that this evening.

Young says we need a comprehensive energy policy, and he’ll be at the table to make sure renewable fuels are part of that strategy.

Obradovich asks about proposed constitutional amendment seeking to overturn Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. Young says Citizens United should stand but we need full transparency so we know who’s funding what at what level. Follow-up: do you agree that money from corporations counts as constitutionally protected speech? Yes, he does. He’d like to see more transparency.

Appel would have voted for that constitutional amendment. In the state Senate she voted for amendments that would have taken money out of politics. Appel doesn’t think a corporation is a person, so corporate spending shouldn’t be protected (as speech). She says in the state of Iowa there are no limits to campaign contributions to state campaigns, and there should be limits.

Henderson asks about farm subsidies and separating food/nutrition part of Farm Bill from subsidies. Young notes that latest farm bill started transition away from direct payments to farmers. He notes 80 percent of spending from farm bill was on food stamps and other nutrition programs. Young knows people in Iowa need food stamps, but he worries about fraud in program and thinks we need to boost economy. As for separating the farm subsidies from nutrition programs, he says they need to be tied together as urban/rural alliance to get it done.

Appel asked about farmers getting subsidy to buy insurance, where other business owners don’t get subsidy to buy crop insurance. Appel says farming is so important to our economy, she talks about talking with her kids when Farm Bill was stuck in Congress. It’s one reason she’s running for Congress, to try to help solve this gridlock.

Young says the farming industry is different from any other, because of how much they depend on the weather. We need to make sure they are able to do the right things next season.

Obradovich asks about medical marijuana. As a member of Congress, would they support letting states make own decisions on marijuana? Appel says she looks at it as a mom. She’s not for legalization of marijuana but she has sympathy for families dealing with epilepsy.

Obradovich notes federal regulations make it hard for states to deal with this. Appel says Iowa is working through this process right now, let the process work. She doesn’t sound supportive of further federal action on this.

Young says states are doing it regardless of what federal law is. He has met with parents who have tried everything to help parents whose children have severe epilepsy. They should have access to treatments, and if that’s medical cannabis, so be it. But FDA should have role to make sure treatments are safe and effective.

Henderson asks if veterans should get vouchers to access health care outside VA system. Young would give veterans vouchers to get care elsewhere.

Appel says she has spoken with veterans, and what they really want is to fix the VA system and fund the VA system. She supports letting people get care where they are so they don’t have to travel long distances.

Borg asks how Congress can help create jobs. She says they should fund the Small Business Administration, because small business creates good jobs and SBA loans are important.

Young says go after the US tax code that’s 75,000 pages long and complicates the lives of Americans.

How long would you stay in job if elected? Young says as long as people elect me, Appel says same thing. She doesn’t agree with self-imposed term limits but would be open to discussing term limits in Congress. Young thinks elections are term limits. Remember that some government bureaucrats have served 30, 40, 50 years. They will outlast.

Time’s up.

Both candidates can feel good about their performance, in my opinion. They hit their main talking points.

On social media, Republicans are mocking how many times Appel reminded viewers that she’s a mom. Democrats claim David Young has spoken in favor of privatizing Social Security in the past.

SECOND UPDATE: I find it hilarious that all these Iowa Republicans are claiming Appel talked too much about being a mom, not enough about issues. Appel staked out plenty of issue positions in the debate, as you can read above. But more to the point, these same Republicans all back Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. Over nearly a year, I lost count of how many questions Ernst answered with, “As a mother, a soldier, and a conservative…” (Now the tag line is “Mother, Soldier, Independent leader.”) The whole Ernst campaign is based on selling her personality and making Bruce Braley unlikeable. Ernst never talks about an issue if she can avoid it. But for these Republicans, suddenly it’s bad for Staci Appel to say she approaches issues like a mom.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ad launched on September 10:

Script provided by the DCCC:

After twenty years in Washington, David Young is taking his act to Iowa, trying a new trick.

While Young is asking for Iowans’ votes…he wants to raise taxes on Iowa’s middle-class.

Making more of your money disappear…

So he can give more tax breaks to the corporations and millionaires funding his campaign.

Young’s plan isn’t magic. It’s an old-fashioned scam.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Appel for Iowa ad “Here,” launched on September 3:

My transcript:

Appel’s voice: I’ve got six children, ages 5 to 17. [viewer sees footage of Appel with her kids, words on screen Staci Appel Wife, Mother of 6]

And take it from me, I’ve learned how to solve problems. It’s a skill I’ll put to work for you in Congress. [Appel speaks to camera, words on screen Staci Appel Ackworth, IA]

Problem with Social Security? I want to hear about it. [footage of Appel talking with older couple, then candidate speaks to the camera as she says “I want to hear about it.” Name Staci Appel is on screen]

Medicare? Tell me. Small business stuck in red tape? I’ll help. [footage of Appel talking with different people, then she says “I’ll help” into the camera.]

I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican. [candidate speaks into camera]

I’ve lived my whole life in Iowa. [footage of Appel walking along a country road and talking with a man, candidate’s name is on screen]

And I’ll listen, and I’ll work for you. [candidate speaks directly to camera]

I’m Staci Appel, and I approved this message. [footage of Appel walking with her children in a park]

Note: Appel can’t use any images or footage of her husband in campaign materials, because he serves on the Iowa Supreme Court.

David Young’s advertising has also mentioned that he will listen and solve Iowans’ problems.

FRIDAY UPDATE: The Republican Party of Iowa released this statement shortly after the debate.

Iowa GOP: Young offers solutions, balanced approach in IPTV debate

​COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa-Republican Party of Iowa ​leaders released the following statement​s​ on tonight’s Iowa Public Television debate between ​Third District congressional candidates David Young​, a former aide to Sen. Chuck Grassley,​ and Staci Appel​, a former liberal state senator and financial consultant​:

​”​Iowans saw a clear difference between ​David ​Young and Staci Appel during tonight’s debate. David’s experience ​advocating for Iowans on a broad range of issues combined with his proven record of solutions, delivered him a resounding victory​,” said Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann, a seventh-generation livestock farmer and community college professor from Wilton.​ “I served with Appel in the state legislature, and she is just as extreme and out of step with Iowa citizens now as she was then.”

“​Staci Appel demonstrated why she is Nancy Pelosi’s hand-picked choice​ tonight​​,” Kaufmann said. “She ​offer​ed​ the same ​old, one-dimensional rhetoric without offering any substantive solutions. Iowans want their representative to have a robust knowledge of ​America’s challenges and pragmatic proposals, not someone who can only repeat ​dull talking points​ and tired attacks.”​

​”​David’s knowledge and understanding of the complex fiscal issues and​ his​ focus on creating a balanced​,​ responsible budget sets him apart​,” said Iowa GOP co-chairman Cody Hoefert, a Rock Rapids chiropractor and city councilor. “​His common​-​sense approach and determination to root out fraud and waste in Washington makes him the clear choice for ​voters. ​David’s solutions ​are a stark contrast to his opponent, who voted ​for the largest budget in Iowa history after voting against a government accountability office.”

Young’s campaign released this statement:

Hanusa: Young demonstrates experience, solutions at first 3rd CD debate

(COUNCIL BLUFFS) – Young for Iowa Pottawattamie Co-Chair and Council Bluffs State Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa released the following statement at the conclusion of tonight’s Iowa Public Television Debate between David Young and his opponent:

“David’s background has prepared him to be ready to serve Iowa in Congress on day one.

“In stark contrast to his opponent, David showed himself as having the experience, grasp of issues, and bold ideas needed to begin serving Iowa in Congress on day one.

“His opponent often turned to the tired politics of partisanship and canned talking points while David optimistically offered real solutions to our biggest problems.

“While David’s opponent focused on attacking him, David reminded us his number one priority is attacking problems for Iowa.

“Iowans expect their representatives to be well versed on a variety of issues in order to effectively advocate for them. Tonight, David set himself apart as the only candidate willing to offer the bold solutions for Iowa’s Third Congressional District.”

The Appel campaign sent out several “fact-checks” of Young’s statements during the debate.

FACT CHECK: Young “Proud” of DC Dysfunction

Republican stands with chaos caucus, against Iowa families

COUNCIL BLUFFS -Washington insider David Young (R Van Meter) didn’t discuss it tonight, but his record is clear: He supported last year’s government shutdown that cost our economy some $24 billion.

Young said he was “proud” watching Ted Cruz and other self-interested members of the Republican party recklessly shutdown the federal government. Tonight, Young did not deny he would have voted against the bi-partisan plan that ended the shutdown after 16 days and cost taxpayers $24 billion.

“David Young apparently thinks that in less than a year Iowans are going to forget his full-throated support for the government shutdown, but voters want a Congress that will get things done, not shut things down,” said Appel Campaign Manager Ben Miller. “With Congress struggling to find a way to fund the government yet again, voters deserve to know that David Young supported the last government shutdown that damaged our economy and created so much uncertainty for families and small businesses.”

Background:

Young Praised Cruz’s Filibuster Against Obamacare, Said He Was “Proud” Of Congress During Shutdown. “The forum sponsored by Americans For Prosperity and National Review was the first time the candidates have stood together on the same stage at the same time and faced questions. When asked whether the recent federal government shut-down was a smart strategy for Republicans, David Young was the only one of the candidates to directly defend it. ‘I was proud to watch the House of Representatives and the Senate fight ObamaCare – defunding it, delaying it, repealing it,’ Young said. ‘You know, Ted Cruz was on the floor for 21 hours and it was so nice to see, finally, the senate deliberating…We need to do more of that.'” [Radio Iowa,10/25/13]

Young Told Reporter He Would have Voted Against Government Shutdown/Debt Ceiling Deal. “Senate candidates David Young and (via@smg_lynch) Matt Whitaker said today they would have voted against govt shutdown/debt ceiling deal.” [Ed Tibbetts tweet, 10/17/13]

FACT CHECK: Young Hiding from Plan for Seniors

Republican Denies Record of Attacks on Retirement Security

COUNCIL BLUFFS – Republican candidate for Congress, Washington insider David Young (R-Van Meter) tried to forget his record of breaking the promise of Medicare and Social Security to Iowa’s seniors that include raising the retirement age, instituting means testing and cutting benefits during tonight’s IPTV 3rd Congressional District Debate at Iowa Western Community College.

Throughout his campaign first for U.S. Senate and now for Congress, Young repeatedly expressed support for putting cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare “on the table” including applauding attempts to privatize Social Security, and supporting the Republican budget to end Medicare as we know it.

“It’s disingenuous of Mr. Young not to come clean with Iowa’s seniors on his plan to slash benefits in order to give tax handouts to the wealthy and big corporations that are shipping Iowa’s jobs overseas,” said Appel Campaign Manager Ben Miller. He added, “Staci Appel is the only candidate in this race who has promised to keep the guarantee of Social Security and Medicare for seniors and future generations.”

###

Background:

Young Defended President George W. Bush’s Efforts to Privatize Social Security:  In May 2014, David Young said, “And, we have to do this in a way where we have leadership, honest leadership at the presidential level. We saw President George W. Bush put his neck out on the line and try to reform and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and what happened, the liberals just lambasted him and made it a political issue.” [Treynor KMNLand Candidate Debate, 5/5/14]

Young: Spending Cuts To Social Security Should Be On The Table. “On issues, Young said he opposes the 2010 federal health care reform law and would like to see it repealed. He also wants to reduce the complexity of the tax codes and said spending cuts can be found, adding that even entitlement programs such as Social Security have to be on the table.” [Sioux City Journal, 10/8/13]

Young Said to Fix Entitlements “You have to Put Everything on the Table.” In 2014, Young said “You know you really need to get at this by hitting entitlements and that’s the third rail, the sacred cow that nobody wants to talk about, but you have to […] Well first of all you have to put everything on the table and that’s where you start. You put retirement age, taxes, benefits, means testing and that’s where you start.” [WHOtv, 3:08, 2/16/14]

Young Embraced Republican Budget, Saying it was a “Good Thing.” In 2014, at fundraiser with Congressman Paul Ryan, Young said the Ryan Budget “moves the ball down the field […] and that’s a good thing.” [Associated Press, 4/11/14]

FACT CHECK: Young Can’t Escape Middle Class Tax Hike

Supports Republican Budget Plan, Hurts Iowa Families

COUNCIL BLUFFS – Republican candidate for Congress, Washington insider David Young (R-Van Meter) denied his past support for a Republican budget plan that raises taxes on middle class Iowa families during tonight’s IPTV 3rd Congressional District Debate at Iowa Western Community College.

During the 3rd district Republican primary, Young called the partisan plan to raise taxes on middle class families that gives millionaires massive tax breaks a “good thing.”  

“Its not surprising that Young won’t own up to voters about his past statements in support on his plan to raise taxes by an average of $2,000 on the average family while giving handouts to millionaires and the lobbyist buddies he raised money from during his two decades in Washington,” said Appel Campaign Manager Ben Miller

###

Background:

Young Embraced Republican Budget, Saying it was a “Good Thing.” In 2014, at fundraiser with Congressman Paul Ryan, Young said the Ryan Budget “moves the ball down the field […] and that’s a good thing.” [Associated Press, 4/11/14]

Middle Class Families Would Pay On Average $3,000 More in Taxes, Under Ryan Budget. An analysis of the Ryan budget by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concluded that “to fully finance the tax cuts for people with incomes over $200,000, filers with children and incomes under $200,000 would see their taxes go up by more than $3,000 on average, even with the ambitious reductions in tax expenditures for high-income households that TPC examined.” [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/17/13]

CBPP: Millionaires Would Experience a $330,000 Tax Cut Under the Ryan Budget. According to an analysis of the Ryan Budget conducted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “Without any reductions in tax expenditures, the tax cut goals in the Ryan budget would cut taxes for households with incomes over $200,000 by about $34,500 and cut taxes for households with incomes of more than $1 million a year by about $330,000 on average.” [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/17/13]

The Iowa Democratic Party released this statement:

Des Moines – Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan released the following statement on tonight’s third congressional district debate:

“Tonight’s debate highlighted the stark contrast between DC insider David Young and Staci Appel, who has a strong record of fighting for Iowa’s middle class families. Young puts his 20 years of DC insider experience ahead of Iowa’s families with his reckless plans to cut millions from Iowa public schools and end Iowans’ retirement security, all while favoring tax breaks for corporations and millionaires. Staci Appel has a long record of putting Iowans first by supporting public education, passing equal pay for equal work, and increasing the minimum wage. She’ll continue to fight for Iowa’s families and to put Iowans’ interests first as our next member of Congress.”

Appel’s campaign manager put this spin on the debate:

Statement from Appel for Iowa Communications Director Nick Galbraith on the Iowa Public Television 3rd District debate in Council Bluffs:

           “Tonight, voters in the 3rd district saw a clear contrast between a lifelong Iowan and problem solver like Staci Appel and DC insider David Young. Staci clearly outlined her priorities for Iowa’s middle class families, like raising the minimum wage, keeping the promise of social security, protecting the Medicare guarantee and abiding by the rule of law to ensure our national security. It’s not a surprise that a 20-year resident of Washington like David Young couldn’t remember his support of President George W. Bush’s effort to privatize social security but what was most surprising was his new found support for an increase in the minimum wage.”

Ed Wright, the Libertarian candidate in IA-03, released this statement after the debate.

(JOHNSTON) On September 11, 2014, Edward (Ed) Wright hosted a Debate Watch Party & Libertarian Party Alternative during a debate in Council Bluffs between Political Party candidates. The format for the event moved between listening to other candidates and a facilitator asking Ed for his answer. The public was invited and were given the opportunity to ask their own questions.

The event was live-blogged on Wright2014.org. Some of the highlights include:

* Asked about President Obama’s speech this week, Ed said: “If I were a seated member of Congress…I would not vote in support of our president using the War Power Act…unless the United States was imminently threatened.”

* Asked what he would do to protect us from terrorists, Ed said: “I would focus on a strong defense.” “We don’t need to put young people in harm’s way in rich, industrialized countries.” He added we’re stretched too thin.

* Asked what he would do to deal with the immigrant children now crossing the border, Ed said: “We need to recognize what the problems are…and set immigration policy that meets the goals. We can’t lose sight of the longer-term immigration policy but we have a humanitarian problem.

* Asked what he would do to get spending under control, Ed said: “We have good reason to have government but what we need to do is shrink it back inside the Constitution.” He added that “will take decades.”

In the few weeks remaining before the November 4, 2014, election, Ed will continue his visits throughout the district, planning to campaign in each of the 16 counties. He will also continue to exercise freedom of speech and utilize freedom of the press to convey his message that other freedoms have become limited.

Young’s second tv ad, “Table,” started running on September 12.

My transcript:

Young sits at a table, holding a coffee mug, speaking directly into the camera. Soft, soothing music plays in the background: In Van Meter where I’m from, when there’s a problem, you sit at the table, share a pot of coffee, hear each other out, and find a solution. [words on screen: DAVID YOUNG U.S. CONGRESS IOWA’S THIRD DISTRICT]

That’s what Congress needs. [Young taps table for emphasis]

I’ll be at the table to get government off the backs of Iowa’s farmers, families, and small businesses. [viewer sees footage of rural scene, Young shaking hands with people]

That’s how I was raised. I guess it’s an Iowa thing.

I’m David Young, and I approved this message.

Appel’s campaign will be hard-pressed to sell this guy as an extremist. I know he spoke out in favor of the government shutdown last year, but he doesn’t act like a Steve King/Ted Cruz type.