Schneider, Dold spar over health care, Medicare in televised debate
Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider slammed Republican challenger Robert Dold for repeatedly voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act when he represented the 10th District during a televised debate.
But Dold got some licks in, too, accusing Schneider of misleading voters on several issues.
The political rivals met at the ABC 7 studio in Chicago. The 30-minute discussion, which was moderated by journalists Charles Thomas and Alan Krashesky, aired Sunday afternoon.
A two-part video recording of the debate is available online at abc7chicago.com.
Schneider, who defeated Dold in 2012 and succeeded him in Congress, said he was "disappointed" by Dold's votes to "repeal, defund or dismantle" the controversial health care legislation.
Dold responded by saying he wants to fix the legislation. People should be able to keep their health plans and their doctors, and that hasn't always happened, he said.
"We need to have a health care system that works for everybody," said Dold, of Kenilworth.
Schneider acknowledged the legislation has flaws, but he said the GOP's efforts to undo the law wasted time and money.
"That's not fixing it," said Schneider, of Deerfield.
Dold went on the offensive later in the session, accusing Schneider of voting against small businesses, pledging to be bipartisan while building a partisan voting record and voting to cut money for Medicare.
"After you've misled the voters this many times, how can they expect to trust anything you say?" Dold said.
In response, Schneider denied he's voted to cut Medicare benefits, and he accused Dold of doing just that by supporting Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plans.
Schneider's criticism of Dold's votes on health care has been a big part of his campaign, just as it was in 2012.
At one point in the ABC 7 discussion, Schneider asked Dold if he voted four times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and requested he answer with a "yes" or "no."
Dold dodged the question. When Schneider pressed him on it, Dold coldly told the Democrat, "You legislate as well as you listen."
When asked about their voting records, both Schneider and Dold said they have broken with their party and supported legislation proffered by lawmakers on the other side of the aisle.
"I am a proud Democrat, but I don't think either party has a monopoly on all the good ideas," Schneider said, pointing out he broke with Democratic leadership and voted against the government shut down and on other issues.
When it was his turn, Dold said he had an independent record in the House and stood up to GOP leaders on the environment and abortion rights.
"I have before and I will again if it's the right thing for the 10th District and for the American public," Dold said.
Dold and Schneider will debate again Wednesday on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight." The show airs at 7 p.m.
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. It stretches from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs.