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Debaters blast Snowe's Iraq, court votes

By Bart Jansen / Portland Press Herald

Two Democrats running for U.S. Senate repeatedly attacked the incumbent, Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, but highlighted few policy disputes between themselves during a public-television debate Thursday.

Jean Hay Bright, a Dixmont writer and organic farmer, and Eric Mehnert, an Orono lawyer, criticized some of Snowe's votes, such as those supporting the invasion of Iraq and confirming President Bush's nominees to the Supreme Court.

But when Fred Bever, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network moderator in Lewiston, asked the candidates to distinguish themselves for Democratic voters, the candidates described their experience rather than policy disagreements.

"There are a lot of different areas where I have experience," said Hay Bright, who listed her reporting for newspapers, her writing books and her organic farming.

Mehnert agreed that their political differences are subtle.

"We share the core Democratic beliefs," he said.

The half-hour debate provided a rare television appearance for Hay Bright and Mehnert, who are running in the June 13 primary for the right to challenge Snowe in the Nov. 7 general election.

Neither candidate has held elective office. But they cited career and political experience as qualifications.

Mehnert, 45, a trial lawyer who focused on civil rights litigation, argued that he has been protected from the corrupting influence of Washington by working outside the government.

"Now more than ever we need a senator who understands checks on government," he said.

Hay Bright, 58, noted that former Gov. Angus King and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins were each elected without having previously held elective office.

"The diversity of my personal, professional and political background is what qualifies me," she said.

Both candidates saved their harshest criticism for Snowe and the Bush administration. For example, Snowe supported the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court - votes that both challengers opposed.

Hay Bright said she would be the first female opponent that Snowe has faced in her 28-year congressional career, offering a choice to women who support abortion rights.

"That will neutralize that issue," Hay Bright said. "The Alito confirmation set the women's community back on its heels."

Mehnert said a Congressional Quarterly study found Snowe sided with the Bush administration in 82 percent of the votes during his first term. He said national Democratic polling suggests Snowe is vulnerable when voters learn of positions she has taken to support beginning the war in Iraq, the Patriot Act and bankruptcy reform.

"Snowe has supported this administration," Mehnert said. "That's what we have to go out and bring to the voters."

Both candidates favored beginning investigations for a potential Bush impeachment.

Mehnert argued that Congress has an obligation to investigate possible constitutional abuses such as warrantless wiretapping.

"It has failed to meet that obligation," he said.

Hay Bright said she supported a House member's plan to investigate possible impeachment proceedings.