Dold, Seals agree on many issues

The third and final head-to-head debate between the candidates running for the suburban 10th District congressional seat proved to be a remarkably civil affair on Thursday night.

Anyone expecting fireworks between Republican Robert Dold and Democrat Dan Seals surely would have been disappointed by the roughly hourlong discussion at Temple Am Shalom in Glencoe. Although the candidates tried to highlight their differences, their stances on many issues proved to be similar.

Both criticized the No Child Left Behind educational program. Both vowed to stand up to their party leaders and not strictly vote the party line if elected to Congress. Both cited Iran as the nation's greatest security risk. And both spoke about the importance of the United States' relationship with Israel, something they hoped would resonate with the audience at the synagogue.

But there were plenty of opportunities for the candidates to point out their differences before the audience of about 200 people.

Dold, a first-time candidate from Kenilworth, once again spoke of how he was raised in the 10th District and lives there now - something Seals does not.

Dold, who has proclaimed he supports a woman's right to choose and did so again Thursday, also said he would oppose federal funding for abortion, something Seals supports.

Seals, a Wilmette resident making his third bid for the job, took plenty of swipes at Dold, too.

He criticized Dold for supporting the policies of former President George W. Bush, although he didn't cite any specifics.

Dold's abortion stance was a target for Seals, too.

“Planned Parenthood and NARAL say there is only one pro-choice candidate, and that's me," Seals said, referring to the two national abortion-rights groups.

And yet, there were more opportunities for the candidates to agree.

Both Dold and Seals said they would continue to take donations from corporations and political action committees because such contributions are part of the election process.

They even cited the same House committee, energy and commerce, when asked where they'd like to serve if elected.

The debate was sponsored by the Chicago chapter of Hadassah, a Jewish group.

The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. It's now represented by Republican Mark Kirk of Highland Park, who's leaving the House to run for the U.S. Senate.