Senator Orrin Hatch was absent from last night’s U.S. Senate Debate in Bountiful, where Democratic Candidate Scott Howell challenged the 36 year incumbent to defend his record.
Howell, Independent Senate Candidate Bill Barron, Constitution party candidate Shaun McCausland debated social security reform, the nation’s debt ceiling and a constitutional amendment requiring congress to pass a budget, and trade. McCausland argued the U.S. can easily avoid outsourcing jobs caused by free trade policies.
"Why not make it easier for us to create and make things here than increase the volume of business, of manufacturing and how good our economy is and how many jobs we have here instead of destroying that and sending them all oversees," McCausland says.
All took minor jabs at Hatch who was represented by a name placard and an empty seat. Howell says he wanted to hear from Hatch himself, and learn why the incumbent voted to extend tax breaks for companies that outsource.
"And now he wants to make a move, to really change America and he’s trying to ride on the coattails of Mitt Romney. I can tell you right now, Mitt Romney would want somebody who’s been in the private sector who understands what it means to create jobs, who understands the pains and challenges [rather] than a Washington insider," Howell says.
During the Republican Senate primary race, Hatch debated his opponent Dan Liljenquist only once. Utah Justice Party Candidate Daniel Greery was also scheduled to attend but did not show.
