8th Congressional District candidates debate

DE PERE - Well before the first question was asked, dozens of supports of both candidates expressed their opinions outside Walter Theatre on the campus of St. Norbert College, where the debate was held.

But inside, the nominees, in a quieter setting, weighed in on a variety of topics

The first: Social Security.

"I oppose privatization of Social Security,” Republican challenger Reid Ribble said. “Secondly, I believe that we have a problem with Social Security, and demagoguing the issue and trying to separate us doesn't do any good. I got in this race to protect my grandchildren, but I also want to protect seniors."

"Social Security works, so there's no need to personalize it,” Democratic incumbent Steve Kagen said. “There’s no need to privatize it. And we shouldn't ever consider the idea of raising the age when you can get begin to get your benefits."

Both men vying for a seat in Congress were asked about specific plans to develop jobs in northeast Wisconsin.

"The most important thing we can do today is to allow small businesses to have access to credit at a price they can afford to pay, make sure that small businesses, who are the real economic engine of America, have access to credit," Kagen said.

"We have to have clarity of vision,” Ribble said. “The next thing we need to do is we have to let the business owners have some level of certainty in the regulatory and tax environment. They need to know what's coming ahead. And if they know that, then they'll take those workers off of overtime and bring a new body in. The third thing we do is make sure consumers have confidence."

Ribble says once those things are in place, capital will begin to flow through the economy, and employers will begin to hire and the economy will begin to grow.

During the debate, the nominees also talked about the state of the education system. Ribble said he wants to get federal government out, and give the power back to states, while Kagen said federal stimulus money has helped a number of school districts in Northeast Wisconsin.

The debate will be broadcast in its entirety Saturday at 7 p.m. on FOX 11.