What's Your Take on the Wild Mackenzie Debate for PA 7th Congressional District?

On Sunday evening, Blue Ridge Cable Hosted a Debate between incumbent Susan Wild, a Democrat, and Ryan Mackenzie, her Republican opponent. In her opening, Wild and Mackenzie told voters a bit about themselves, and then Mackenzie labeled Wild as a progressive masquerading as a moderate. Off the bat, he also took Wild to task for "repeatedly" saying "derogatory things about the people of Carbon County," which is a part of her congressional district.

Warehouses and truck damage to roads. - Wild hears about warehouses "probably more than almost anything." But she voted for the Infrastructure Act to provide federal funding for road and bridge repairs. She said warehouse proliferation will continue because of the "unique zoning laws in Pa."

Mackenzie said infrastructure is a "balancing act," and has worked with local officials to "reduce the impact" of new development." 

(Blogger comment) - This is primarily a question for state officials. 

What specific steps would you take to lower costs for working families? - Mackenzie said, "families all across our country are getting crushed by inflationary prices across the board ... ." He said he's never voted to raise taxes and did vote to reduce the inheritance tax for small businesses. He basically said he'd work to reduce taxes, and criticized Wild "for voting for every single plank of Bidenomics. That massive spending in DC is what has caused the inflation and high prices."

Wild said she feels the impact of inflation, too, as she does her own grocery shopping and pumps her own gas. She said she has to do everything she can to reduce prices across the board, from prescription drug prices to groceries. But she added that "corporate gouging is a real thing. ... People at the top - the 1% - they're doing just fine. so we got to make sure that we are cracking down on corporations that are price gouging." She added that the housing problem "has got to be a priority." 

Continued support of Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. -  Wild noted her district has a significant number of Ukranian constituents. "I have supported the funding we have sent to Ukraine because of the fact that Ukraine has fought very hard to be a democracy. We need to support them and, by the way, many of my constituents still have friends and family in Ukraine. ... We need to make sure that Ukraine wins this war. This is Putin's war. He would love to take over Ukraine and then move into Poland and the rest of Eastern Europe and we can't let that happen. We will end up with WWIII on our hands and all of our European allies will be greatly affected." 

Mackenzie agreed that "what Vladimir Putin is doing is an atrocity and we need to call that out and his evil acts need to be recognized. At the same time, the failed policy and foreign policy of Susan Wild and Joe Biden has let this war drag on for 2 1/2 years, causing death and destruction in Ukraine. He said we need a "peaceful resolution instead of "chaos around the world. ... We are not exhibiting strength, which would lead us to peace"

What Can a Federal Legislator Do to Reform Property Taxes? - Mackenzie said he'd support no taxes on tips or social security, which would put money back in people's pockets. Wild observed that property taxes are a state issue. but a federal legislator can make sure the Tax Code is fair to the middle class. She criticized the 2017 tax cuts as benefiting primarily the 1%. Workers are unable to deduct boots and things they need for their jobs. "We got to make sure the 1% is paying its fair share. It would solve a lot of the problems in this country if we didn't have tax cuts for billionaires." 

Stance on War in Gaza and Continued Support For Israeli Offensive. - Wild supports Israel's right to defend itself and said that most of the arms sent are for defensive purposes. She agreed that the US "absolutely" must eradicate Hamas. Mackenzie said the October 7 attack was an atrocity and that all hostages must be returned before anything else can happen. He said we need to crack down on Iran. He indicated Wild sent letters saying she is pro-Israel and is pro-Gaza. Wild said she supports Israel, but the war must end. "She was caught red-handed taking both sides of a serious issue," retorted Mackenzie. 

School Shootings. - Wild supports universal background checks, "but that is not enough." She said parents should be held responsible for safe storage. Mackenzie said mental health records should be part of universal background checks, but Wild said that Mackenzie voted in favor of ghost guns. 

Abortion Moving From Federal to State Level. - Mackenzie does not support a federal ban on abortion and supports exceptions for rape and incest. Wild retorted that in 2016 and 2017, Mackenzie voted in favor of an abortion ban that did not include rape or incest exceptions. "I don't believe the government, or any politician should have any say so in what any human being does with their body." Mackenzie accused Wild of "a bunch of lies." He accused her of having an "extreme fringe position that includes taxpayer funded abortions. She countered that Mackenzie has accepted $35,000 from the House Speaker, who supports a federal abortion ban. "Who you take money from says a lot." 

Social Security Reforms. - Wild wants to continue social security, and funds will not run out if billionaires are properly taxed. Mackenzie said he would protect social security, but Wild engages in massive deficit spending, which hurts the ability to fund social security. Wild countered that Mackenzie would put Medicare and social security "on the chopping block every single year." 

Affordable Housing. - Mackenzie said that one person he met spends 40% of his income on housing. He said a local nonprofit is using federal funds to house immigrants instead of people who are already here. Wild said she supports a bill that would provide a down payment for first time homebuyers and a child tax credit. 

Immigration. - Wild supported a bipartisan bill to stop illegal immigration, but the Speaker refused to put it out for a vote because Trump wanted to use it as a campaign issue. Mackenzie said drug cartels are running the border and we now have 10 million illegal immigrants. He opposes sanctuary cities while Wild has repeatedly voted against border walls. 

Passenger Rail from Scranton to New York. - Mackenzie said it is "worth exploring," but it is a very expensive proposal that would require years of eminent domain. Wild is a "big proponent" of passenger rail. "It would be great to have a train. Let's let people get here via passenger rail."

Bipartisanship - Wild says she works across the aisle every day and is rated in the top ten most bipartisan legislators. She voted against her party. She apologized for her remarks about Carbon County. Mackenzie claims he has been bipartisan as a state representative, while Wild has voted 100% of the time with Biden and 98% of the time with Pelosi. 

PA 7th Congressional District Republican Candidates Debate

Above is a Youtube video of Monday night's debate among three Republicans seeking their party's nomination to take on incumbent Democrat Susan Wild in this year's race for Pa.'s 7th Congressional District. They are Kevin Dellicker, Ryan Mackenzie and Maria Montero. The debate was broadcasted by BRC13, located in Lehighton. Here's what was discussed:

How Are You Suited to Represent Carbon County, which was added to Pa.-7? - Dellicker said he spent a great deal of time in Carbon County, white-water rafting in Jim Thorpe and skiing at Blue Mountain. His wife teaches school in Palmerton and many of his relatives live there. Montero grew up in Summit Hill and stated nobody understands more than she does what is needed in Carbon. "We are looking for good jobs, great paying jobs." She would achieve that by cutting taxes and eliminating regulations. Mackenzie said the problems of Carbon County are similar to those in the rest of the district, "a wide open border" and out-of -control spending in D.C. 

How would You Encourage Tourism, Especially in the Poconos? - Montero said she has been in the hospitality and tourism industry over the past eight years. She said that she would try to make sure there is clean air and clean water for the Pocono parks. Mackenzie said tourism is something to embrace and promoted it as a member of the state house. Dellicker said there's no place he'd rather be than the Pa.7th, and people should know how wonderful and diverse it is. 

How would You Improve Public Transit, especially for Seniors? - Mackenzie said his top priority would be ensuring that social security and Medicare is protected.  "We should not be taking those benefits away from them," he noted. Dellicker observed that public transportation is a "real challenge" for seniors in rural areas like Carbin County. But he stressed that runaway inflation is impacting seniors even more. He will cut spending to get inflation under control. Montero believes in limited government, "but the one thing we should do well is infrastructure. That means transportation and good roads.

How Will You Help Veterans Avoid Homelessness and Ensure them a Good Quality of Life? - Dellicker started by pointing out that he spent 28 years in the military. He and his wife actually wrote as book (20% Soldiers) about the reserve component of the military. He vowed to "tackle those issues" for "people who served our country so nobly." Montero has spent three years with a nonprofit whose goal is reducing homelessness. She complained we have spent $100 million in Ukraine, but she wants to spend that money here. MacKenzie stressed that veterans served us when on active duty so the government should serve them with things like special office hours. He also authored the "Start Up For Soldiers" program to help vets start businesses. 

Are Women's Rights Under Attack? - Montero pointed out that she's the only candidate who was ever pregnant and who ever delivered a baby, she believes women's health rights are something Americans can ever ignore. "Women deserve to have real choice." She lamented that programs like Real Alternatives, which help women who want to choose life, are being cut. Mackenzie stated he has consistently voted pro life in the state house and to reduce the number of abortions performed in Pa. "It sounds like we're all in agreement," added Dellicker. He said it's a"crazy" to cut thiose programs and then divert the funds to abortion centers. "Thise are the sort of divisive issues we don't need right now ... ."

Top Priority if Elected? - "Building the wall and securing our border," responded Mackenzie. Dellicker wants to get on the Armed Services Committee and fix our military so we can have "true peace through strength." Montero's top prioority is to "secure our borders and protect Americans."

What Can You Do to Provide Quality Education? - Montero believes there should be more technical schools because "not everybody needs to go to college." She also wants to empower parents with a Parents' Bill of Rights, which was opposed by Susan Wild. Mackenzie believes the feral government should not be expected to solve "our education problems here at home."  He does support and has voted for a Parents Bill of Rights on a state and local level. "I'll take it a step further," added Dellicker. "I don't think the federal government should be funding education at all."

How Will You Support Local Business? - MacKenzie has a three-pronged approach: reduce taxes; reduce and streamline regulations; and more workforce training. "If you don't run a small business, I don't think you can possibly understand the burdens that small businesses are under," added Dellicker. Montero agrees with cutting taxes and regulations, but added that the production of natural gas should be encouraged. 

Will You Vote Independently or Along Party Lines? - Dellicker pledged independence "because I am not a career politician. ... I don't need to go to Congress to enhance my career or my livelihood." Montero would ask herself two questions before voting on an issue: is it constitutional; and is it in America's best interests? Mackenzie said government is controlled by a Uniparty and he has voted against his party on things like the gas tax. 

Should There Be Age Limits on Those in Office? - Mackenzie opposes an "artificial age limit" on elected officials. Dellicker joked that he is the oldest of the three candidates and would fight any attempt to remove him from the ballot. Montero would support term limits as opposed to an age barrier. 

Do You Support Gun Controls? - Dellicker dodged the question, saying only that he is a "law and order" candidate. He added he is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment. Montero and Mackenzie dodged as well. 

Susan Wild's Comment that Carbon County is Drinking the Trump Kool-Aid? "Susan Wild does not respect her constituents," observed Montero. MacKenzie would like to serve Wild kool-aid at her retirement party in November. "What she said is disrespectful to every person sitting in this room and every person watching at home." Dellicker cautioned it will take more than press stunts to defeat Wild. "Remember, she did this two years ago, too."

Crowded Dem Field in Pa. 7th Is Itself a Message

The DCCC is notorious for screwing up Congressional races here in the Lehigh Valley. I've seen it happen several times, but they continue. They attempted to pressure Rev. Greg Edwards out of the race. To his credit, he called foul. They may have been more successful with David Weidman, a disabled combat vet. He made a tearful exit from the race over the weekend. He declined to name who pressured him. But even with Weidman's departure, six Democrats and just two Republicans have filed nomination petitions. That alone should tell you that this seat is going to go Democratic. The Cook Political Report now lists the district, which was solidly Republican with centrist Charlie Dent, as "likely Democratic."

The large number of Democrats running bodes well for Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. He's a tough, law-and-order Democrat who has come under fire for meeting with and speaking to the tea party, instead of snubbing them, as most Democrats do. As DA, he represented everyone, not just those who vote for him. He has that same attitude in the Congressional race.

His conservative views on issues like the death penalty and immigration will get him in trouble with people looking for a Nancy Pelosi clone. Just as Republican wack jobs like NorCo GOP party boss General Lee Snover liked to claim that Charlie Dent wasn't Republican enough, there are idiots on the left making the same kind of complaint about Morganelli.

Dent and Morganelli are unlike the extremes within their parties. They are centrists. Like most of us.

Given Morganelli's wide and positive name recognition, he is going to stand out in a field of six Democrats. Let's face it. Most people have never heard of Greg Edwards, David Clark, Susan Ellis Wild, Roger Ruggles or Rick Dougherty. Everyone knows Morganelli. As the sole woman running, Susan Wild will get a lot of support, and she should. As the most liberal of the candidates and sole minority member, Rev. Edwards will get a lot of votes, and he should. But John is going to get more.

I have no idea why Daugherty, who stood at the podium with Fed Ed and cheered him on as he resigned, is even running. I imagine it is pure ego. But he will only help Morganelli.

The same can be said of Republican-turned-Democrat Roger Ruggles, a Lafayette professor who rarely crawls down from his ivory tower long enough to learn what really is going on in Easton. He's running to draw votes away from Morganelli, probably at the request of Dem party boss Matt Munsey or Easton Mayor Sal Panto. What escapes them is that no one really knows the Professor, while Morganelli is very popular among Easton voters. Like Daugherty, Ruggles will only help Morganelli.

It's a much more lonely race among Republicans. Lehigh County Comm'r Marty Nothstein and former Lehigh County Comm'r Dean Browning are the only two candidates. Browning, a numbers guy, must know the only way he could have won this race was with multiple candidates. But one-by-one,they've pulled out. Opportunist Justin Simmons imploded. MacKenzie realized he'd lose to Morganelli.

This is going to be between Morganelli and Nothstein.