REDWOOD COUNTY, Minn. -
Democratic incumbent Amy Klobuchar, Republican challenger Kurt Bills, and Independence Party candidate Glen Menze took faced off for the farm vote today.
And the audience was treated to two very different philosophies about government's role in agriculture, with Senator Klobuchar arguing for subsidies in biofuels, and Kurt Bills arguing against.
Klobuchar: "It is not an even playing field when you get rid of the biofuel tax credit and you still have tax breaks for the oil companies, some of the most profitable companies in our country."
Bills says, "I will absolutely double down on that. Get rid of every last stinking subsidy and get rid of TARP, and bailouts for Washington bankers, and the stimulus that goes to corporate CEOs. Get rid of it all."
Klobuchar has a well-known record when it comes to ag issues, often breaking with her party on EPA regulations and supporting policies and subsidies that farmers like.
Sen. Klobuchar says, "I truly believe that we should be investing in the farmers and workers of the Midwest, instead of the oil cartels of the Middle East."
But Bills says the country can no longer afford them, and that they represent yet another aspect of special interests having too much power in the government.
Bills says, "Who decides when it's mature? Washington bureaucrats and a career politicians who rely on those industries for that money to get all their millions of dollars so they can get re-elected. I don't get a whole lot of money. I don't get a whole lot of donations talking like I talk."
There were notable murmurs rippling throughout the crowd as Bills spoke, along with the cheers that all the candidates received.
Farm groups begin their endorsement process this month, so we'll find out if Bills' tough-love approach will be embraced by farmers, or rejected soon enough.
Bills says, "I know it's tough to hear. I understand it's difficult to hear. We jump started the industry. Again, we borrow 40 cents of every dollar."
All three candidates still need to win their party's primary to get on the ballot.
Then today's battle can continue into November.
