The candidates in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District disagree about whether planet warming is entirely man-made. Republican congressman Paul Ryan of Janesville and his Democratic challenger, Rob Zerban of Kenosha, met for their first debate Monday.
“We do need to address it, and I do believe the U.S. can meet the challenge, because there are many opportunities when you meet a challenge,” said Zerban, who’s making his second run against Ryan. “The United States can lead in any field that it wants.”
Ryan said he doesn’t know the human extent of climate change – and doesn’t believe scientists do either. But but claimed that proposals like new EPA regulations on coal companies are not the way to go. “We would impose these kinds of massive taxes, disproportionately hitting low-income people, manufacturers in Wisconsin, with this kind of huge tax, when we don’t even know if the science will change it,” Ryan said.
In his opening statement, Ryan said the country is not on the right track, and his entire career has been about finding solutions to the county’s problems. Zerban, also noting Ryan’s long political career, said Ryan is good at the “Potomac 2 Step” but has forgotten where the Root River and the Pike Creek are. The candidates will meet again next Monday evening for a debate in Janesville, Ryan’s hometown.
WRJN
