A deep disagreement over voting and lack of progress on the Farm Bill were the hallmarks of last night’s debate between Republican Congressman Steve King and Christie Vilsack, his Democratic challenger. The two candidates appeared together at a forum in Hampton and King said it’s time to not only require a photo I.D. for voting, but for election officials all over the country to check the voter registration lists for non-citizens. “There’s no reason for anybody to defend anything else because there’s voter fraud that’s determining these elections and it’s got to stop,” King said, getting cheers and whistles from his supporters in the audience.

Vilsack expressed reservations about requiring a photo I.D. “It is restrictive in many cases for people who are elderly,” she said. “There are a lot of situations where people don’t have a picture I.D. and they need to be able to vote.” Vilsack did not directly address King’s comment about non-citizens casting ballots, but she did speak to his assertion there is voter fraud. “I don’t think that there’s any evidence that there is a great deal of voter fraud out there,” Vilsack said, getting moans and groans from some in the audience and applause from others in the audience. “It’s the most important right and responsibility a person has in this country, to be able to vote, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure that people are allowed to do it.” King was given a minute to offer a rebuttal.

“I heard that, ‘We should do all we can to encourage every person to vote.’ I don’t agree. I completely don’t agree. I think they should be citizens of the United States of America in order to cast a ballot,” King said. According to King, voter fraud is “real” and if it’s not addressed, he said it will change the “destiny” of the U.S. “There are people here that might be visiting America, they might be on a green card, they might be here illegally — and there are people out there recruiting them to vote now,” King said. “We’ve got to stop that before we turn this country over to people that are not American citizens.” The subject of the Farm Bill was raised by the debate’s moderator.

Vilsack began: “I think Steve King should have shown more leadership on this and should have pounded on the door of Speaker Boehner…in making sure we have a Farm Bill.” King replied: “I’m not really sure if Mrs. Vilsack wants me to be a leader or a follower. I’ve gotten advice to be both a leader and a follower and it depends on the issue.” Throughout the debate King accused Vilsack of lobbing “baseless charges” his way. He also attacked the way Vilsack’s husband, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, is running the U.S.D.A., twice mentioning a “Meatless Monday” idea unsuccessfully floated by an agency employee. Christie Vilsack did not speak of her husband’s role as U.S. ag secretary during the debate. Vilsack closed the debate by saying she’d be able to hold her own in congress because — as a former 8th grade teacher — she’s “used to dealing with adolescent behavior.”

(Radio Iowa)