Forum targets young voters’ interests

By Brandon Farmer

Students had a chance to hear six of the nine Senate candidates address several issues of public concern currently facing Kentuckians at Wednesday’s Citizen Kentucky public forum.

Candidates present were Republicans Rand Paul, Bill Johnson, Roger Thoney and Brian Oerther, and Democrats Darlene Price and Maurice Sweeney. All had a chance to speak about their plans on assisting the welfare of residents of the Commonwealth.

Journalism professor Buck Ryan, organizer of the event, said the event was focused on the Senate race because of the importance of young voters paying attention in the election.

Paul was first to speak, emphasizing his view on reduced government involvement in public affairs and the economic system.

“I’m a Constitutional conservative,” Paul said. “That means I believe that government should be severely and strictly restricted by the Constitution.”

Johnson, a 10-year military veteran, pushed concern over national security and preserving the safety of the U.S.

“Our country is under attack,” he said. “We have terrorists who are trying to kill Americans. We have domestic forces that are literally trying to destroy our way of life.”

Thoney said the greatest state and national concern should be the economy. The economic crisis revolves around political irresponsibility and lust for power, he said.

“I am fed up with Washington politicians who put their political agendas first,” Thoney said. “We simply are economic casualties in a war for power, control and domination.”

Oerther, a candidate from Frankfort, made a point to restore power to the people and giving the public the upper hand in national decisions.

“I believe that the people in Washington, D.C., no longer represent ‘we the people,’ ” Oerther said. “I believe it’s time for the people of Kentucky to represent my average Kentucky.”

Price, former special agent and a counter-terrorist expert, argued her stance against corruption in government.

“The disease is ‘crony campaign financing’ and it’s affecting every part of the government,” Price said.

Sweeney took a platform on public service and assisting the ‘little man,’ a policy advocating term limits. He also encouraged voters to choose leaders who have a history of public service or are active in assisting public welfare.

“You shouldn’t have to be a lawyer, a doctor or a baseball player in order to serve, but you ought to have a record of service, and it ought to be about what you’ve done, not what you will do,” Sweeney said.

During the forum, students were given the opportunity to interact with candidates and to register for the primary.