Dold, Schneider sling mud during last TV debate
It didn't take long for the second and final televised debate between Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider and Republican challenger Robert Dold to turn into a verbal brawl.
Schneider, of Deerfield, and Dold, of Kenilworth, argued about raising the minimum wage, health care reform, abortion and other issues during the discussion on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight."
The candidates are battling to represent Illinois' 10th Congressional District. The contest is a rematch of the 2012 election, in which Schneider unseated Dold, and it's expected to be one of the closest congressional races in the nation.
Journalist Carol Marin hosted the 17-minute discussion. Although she called it a forum and not an opportunity for debate with rebuttals, that's exactly what it became.
The first mud ball was lobbed about six minutes into the discussion after Marin asked the candidates about raising the minimum wage.
Both Schneider and Dold said they supported such an increase, but only Schneider suggested a figure - $10.10 per hour.
Dold said he didn't know what the right amount is, insisting a bipartisan plan is needed.
"I think this is one of the differences in the race - the refusal to say what a number would be," Schneider said.
Dold fired back on the next topic, bipartisanship. After Schneider criticized Dold for repeatedly voting to repeal or defund the Affordable Care Act, Dold accused Schneider of supporting cuts to Medicare.
He even produced a letter Schneider wrote about the subject, dramatically pulling it out of his jacket pocket.
"This is a letter of admission of your guilt, because you've said one thing and did another," Dold said.
Schneider acknowledged the letter but denied he took that stance.
"You can't make up facts, Bob," Schneider said. "That did not happen."
The political sparring continued when Marin asked about abortion rights. Both Schneider and Dold have claimed to support a woman's right to choose, although Dold has admitted he supports restricting that right in certain cases.
As he's done before, Dold said he was the only Republican to speak in favor of funding Planned Parenthood during a House debate in 2011. Schneider then pointed out Dold later voted against giving the organization federal dollars.
Dold explained that vote by saying it was part of legislation aimed at keeping the government open.
But Schneider didn't relent.
"Other Republicans voted 'no,'" Schneider said. "You didn't."
Schneider and Dold appeared on ABC 7 this past weekend for a similar TV-studio debate. They are not meeting face-to-face in front of a live audience, which has rankled Dold.
They will appear separately at a political forum in North Chicago on Sunday. It will begin at 3 p.m. at the Queen of Peace Gymnasium, 910 14th St. No other joint appearances are scheduled.
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. It stretches from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs.