Newcomer Kennedy Wins Debate Versus Incumbent Foxx

WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. -- Kennedy Beats Foxx in First Debate

Billy Kennedy, candidate for US House (NC, 5th District) came out swinging at his debate with incumbent Congresswoman Virginia Foxx tonight at the Ashe County Civic Center. The standing-room-only crowd seemed to agree that Kennedy had won the night.

When asked by the panel about ideas for new technologies and energy sources, Rep. Foxx responded that there was plenty of oil and coal, denied that there was any shortage of resources, saying "that God gave us the earth's resources to use, and we should use them." Kennedy replied, "My dad was a minister, but I think the good Lord gave us brains and the ability to be a part of this society."

"Professional politicians really don't know how to get the job done," Kennedy added.

Kennedy hammered at Foxx for her reliance on corporate money, saying she was "beholden" to the special interests that were funding her campaigns. He pointed to the audience and said, "Send a working man to Washington, one who doesn't owe anything to anyone except to you."

When Foxx said she supported continued tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs to distant shores and supported unlimited and anonymous buying of campaigns by corporations, Kennedy said that's because these same companies were buying Foxx's votes: "When these companies give a candidate, like my opponent, a check for $5,000, they expect $50,000 or $100,000 in return."

When Foxx said the federal government has no business involving itself in education, Kennedy responded that the states couldn't handle the infrastructure and educational needs of students, and that students, teachers, and the nation's future would suffer. Kennedy pointed out that Foxx had even voted against the federal school lunch program.

Foxx said that she knew all about farming and had just eaten fresh green beans and potatoes last night. Kennedy related his own farm wisdom. "I'm concerned about the amount of manure that's being piled on the people of the 5th District."

Kennedy grabbed the upper hand on issues that might be considered safe harbor for a self-professed "conservative" candidate. When Foxx said she didn't support Roe v. Wade, Kennedy reminded her it was the law of the land and that America was a nation of laws.

Debate attendees cheered and applauded as Kennedy took down each of Foxx's talking points one by one, with wit, humor, and respect. The overflow crowd at the Ashe Civic Center did not take kindly to Foxx's declaration that she would do everything she could in Congress to see that the health-insurance reform law was repealed. The crowd actually booed her. When Foxx claimed that there were no terrorist attacks during the presidency of George W. Bush, people in the audience began yelling out "9/11?"

Rep. Foxx seemed genuinely shocked that the audience was not with her. The greatest shock, no doubt, was that she found herself completely undone by a farmer from Bethel.