Candidates clash in first full televised Senate debate

Mike Rounds defended the state's EB-5 program and challenged Democratic rival Rick Weiland's positions in the first televised debate of the U.S. Senate race.

Rounds, the Republican nominee, faced off against Weiland and independents Gordon Howie and Larry Pressler in a one-hour forum on South Dakota Public Broadcasting with the election less than two weeks away.

On EB-5, Rounds defended the controversial federal immigrant investor program as a boon for the state, but said it should be reformed.

"This particular program in South Dakota was a tool for economic development," Rounds said. "This is something we have to bring back under control."

Rounds said EB-5, in which foreigners can get green cards for investing $500,000 in U.S. projects, attracted more than $600 million to South Dakota and created 5,000 jobs here.

None of Rounds' opponents backed the program. Weiland focused his comments on criticizing the idea of EB-5.

"I don't think people appreciate that just because you've got the money, you can cut to the front of the (immigration) line," Weiland said. "So I would vote to repeal the program."

Pressler and especially Howie took a different tack, saying Rounds' management of South Dakota's EB-5 program as governor was suspect or even "corrupt."

"We may have seen some good in South Dakota, but we've certainly seen the fostering of crony capitalism and corruption," Howie said.

The four candidates got through just five questions in the 60-minute debate, plus rebuttals and opening and closing statements. In addition to EB-5, they debated Social Security, government shutdowns, immigration reform and how they'd compromise if elected — as well as other pet topics they managed to squeeze in to unrelated answers.

Pressler repeatedly highlighted his record as a previous three-term senator, including his role starting the Lewis & Clark rural water project. He also repeatedly lamented the barrage of attacks on him from Democrats, Republicans and outside groups on both sides.

"I'm like the biblical David, and I have at least two Goliaths coming after me," Pressler said. "I am armed with a slingshot of idealism."

Howie was the most aggressive debater, and focused most of his barbs on Rounds. Though he criticized Weiland and Pressler, too, he went out of his way to praise Weiland for agreeing to a face-to-face discussion earlier in the campaign.

"While my friend Rick Weiland is wrong on most things... when he's genuinely wrong, he'll tell it to you straight," Howie said.

Rounds emphasized his focus on keeping the country "safe and secure," and referenced the late-breaking news of a new Ebola case in New York City. He also repeatedly criticized President Barack Obama — unpopular here in South Dakota — in his answers to questions about immigration reform and his leadership style.

Rounds largely ignored the two independents, Howie and Pressler, but on several occasions criticized Weiland's policies, including attacks for supporting tax increases.

Weiland also focused his attention on Rounds and not the two independent candidates.

He also tried to distance himself from his own Democratic Party by promising to not support the Democratic leader in the Senate, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada.

"Harry Reid and (Republican Senate leader) Mitch McConnell... need to step aside," Weiland said. "I won't be voting for Mr. Reid as Democratic leader if I'm elected."

Reid and Weiland have feuded, with Reid dismissing Weiland's chances and refusing for more than a year to help Weiland's campaign. But Senate Democrats have recently invested $1 million into the Senate race here to help Weiland.

Weiland also on several occasions defended the role of government "bureaucrats" — a frequent target of Rounds this election.

"Frankly — I know Mike likes to beat on the bureaucrats — there hasn't been enough oversight of the program," Weiland said of EB-5.

This was the third Senate debate of the general election with all four candidates present, following showdowns at the State Fair and the DakotaFest ag show in August. One more debate remains, on KELO-TV on Oct. 29.

Thursday's debate was co-sponsored by AARP South Dakota and the South Dakota Newspaper Association. It's available for more viewing at http://sdpb.org/election14.