While all was pleasant and civil during welcoming remarks from host Tim Stevens of the Black Political Empowerment Project, a description of the event by League of Women Voters President Annette Shimer, an introduction of moderator and KDKA Money and Politics Editor John Delano by Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Esther Bush, and even through statements supporting Josh Shapiro for Attorney General by Dr. Cyril Wecht, and Katie McGinty by John Fetterman, it didn’t extend much further—even though it was graciously hosted by the Church of the Reconciliation.
The Great Debate between veteran incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and his Republican challenger Lenny McAllister began with Doyle saying he is proud to serve the district, having brought in $75 million to the district, and wants to continue to do so.
McAllister immediately fired the first volley by asking the audience if their lives, schools neighborhoods and career opportunities have gotten any better during the 22 years Doyle has represented the district.
“Is this as good as it’s going to get, or can we have more,” he asked.
Doyle said that when he worked with the (Bill) Clinton administration the district prospered, it was only under Republican President George W. Bush that the district and region began “bleeding” jobs.
“You ask any legislator, Republican or Democrat, whether I’ve worked with both parties to make Pittsburgh better, there isn’t one who’ll say I haven’t,” said Doyle. “But here we have someone who, if he is elected, said he wouldn’t work with Hillary because she’s corrupt. I’ve worked with Republicans and I’ve brought resources to the Hill District, to the Mon Valley, to Rankin.”
McAllister countered that while that may be so, the Black unemployment rate in the Mon Valley is 14 percent, in Rankin is 15 percent and in McKeesport is 20 percent.
“I don’t doubt you worked hard, but I’m still seeing unemployment in double digits,” said McAllister. “I’m still seeing the disparities between young and old, rich and poor, Black and White when it comes to education, employment and economics. If your hard work for 22 years only has us to this point, what else do we need to do because it seems like you’re tapped out.”
Doyle replied, “I’m sure if you’re elected you’ll turn this around in a year or two. Am I satisfied, no we need some federal help, if your party weren’t obstructing President Obama at every turn, we’d get some.”
“But you’re supposed to be skilled enough after 22 years in politics to get around such obstructions and bring people together,” said McAllister. “If you can’t, then what makes you think years 23 and 24 would be any different?”
“I’m skilled enough to bring $75 million to this district,” said Doyle. “I’m sorry I’m not the benevolent dictator who can make magic happen overnight. I’m not responsible for 22 years of national policy but I’ve worked to make Pittsburgh prosper and I want everyone’s children to prosper.”
The candidates sparred over education, with Doyle saying schools need to tailor their curricula more to the needs of the job market, adding that he has funded training programs to do just that.
McAllister said he favors school choice, noting that pubic schools have always tried to match what the job sector needed.
On abortion, though Doyle is pro choice and McAllister pro-life, both agreed that their goal is to make abortions rare.
On gun control, Doyle said he was proud to stage a sit-in with Rep. John Lewis in an attempt to reauthorize an assault weapons ban, get expanded background checks and pass no-fly, no-buy legislation to keep people on the no-fly list from buying guns.
McAllister said, “As a survivor of gun violence, with a wife that’s a survivor and a father that’s a survivor, let me tell you a little bit: it’s not legal gun owners that are killing people—it’s people using illegal guns because the economy is no good in their community, the schools are no good, and they can’t get access to jobs.”
On Obamacare, Doyle said Republicans have blocked every attempt to fix the legislation, though he himself prefers a single payer health insurance solution.
McAllister said the ACA is already self-limiting because unpopular features like the Cadillac tax on union policy were left out, as was the tax on medical devices, which seniors opposed. He said it should be replaced by a system that fosters competition—which will drive down prices.
(J.L.Martello contributed to this story.)
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