The two major party candidates for the U.S. Senate each claimed to be the best “fit” for Iowa during an appearance last night on Iowa Public Television. Republican Greg Ganske said Democrat Senator Tom Harkin was “too liberal” for Iowa.Ganske said “in a nutshell”, Harkin was “too extreme” on many issues for Iowa, while Ganske characterized himself as “in the mainstream.” Harkin responded. Harkin said Ganske had voted to do away with the Department of Education as well as the federal school lunch program and let private charities take care of meals for poor kids. Harkin said those votes weren’t “quite mainstream.” Ganske said Harkin has advocated doing away with last year’s tax cut, which Ganske said was unwise economic policy in time of economic downturn. Harkin said he only wants to repeal the tax cut for the wealthiest one percent. Harkin said there’s no reason people who make a million and a half dollars a year should get the tax cut. Harkin contends in his 18 years in the Senate, he’s accumulated valuable power because he’s now a senior member. Ganske said that’s not reason enough to elect Harkin.Ganske said Harkin has “voted wrong” for Iowa. Harkin responded.Harkin said voters look behind the labels and see what the candidate stands for. Harkin is seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate. Ganske has served in the U.S. House since 1995.Republican Congressman Greg Ganske says it’s time to “move on” from the tape-gate scandal that spiced up his race against Democrat Senator Tom Harkin. A former Harkin aide secretly taped a Ganske fundraising meeting. Harkin’s campaign manager and a staffer resigned after the incident became public knowledge. State and federal prosecutors said this past week that no crime was committed, and no charges will be filed. Ganske’s campaign manager had hinted the campaign might file a lawsuit against Harkin, but backed away from that this week. Last night during a joint appearance on Iowa Public Television, Ganske himself said it was just an option they considered, and a lawsuit will not be filed. Ganske says, “Tom has admitted it was a dirty trick, uh, campaign people have left his campaign,” and said it was time to move on.”Iowa Press” host Dean Borg pressed Ganske one more time about the episode.Borg asked Ganske “Are you doing to drop it?” And Ganske replied, “I’m not planning on doing anything about it.”
