Gillibrand, DioGuardi spar in upstate Senate debate

TROY - Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican rival Joe DioGuardi argued about health care, gays in the military, and their records, in their second televised debate last night in the U.S. Senate race.

The hourlong debate in Troy followed the pattern of the first debate last week in New York City, with some sharp policy disagreements punctuated by pointed personal exchanges.

Polls show Gillibrand, a former congresswoman appointed last year to replace Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, with a wide lead over DioGuardi. DioGuardi, a former congressman from Westchester County, quickly tried to cast Gillibrand as someone who changed her views on issues when she went to the Senate.

"When I get to Washington, I will rock the boat, something that she has not done," DioGuardi said. "The closest she has gotten to rocking the boat is flip-flopping on every issue of importance to New Yorkers."

Gillibrand fired back often, saying DioGuardi praised the idea of privatizing Social Security in a book he wrote in 1992.

DioGuardi said privatization could not be considered an option today.

On policy, Gillibrand said President Barack Obama should not have told the Justice Department to appeal a decision by a federal judge that invalidated the "don't ask, don't tell" policy preventing gays from serving openly in the military. DioGuardi favored waiting for a consensus from military leaders. Gillibrand called the health care overhaul "commonsense reforms" that will bring down costs. DioGuardi countered that the bill did nothing to reduce the cost of health care.

DioGuardi did not like the process that allowed Gillibrand to take Clinton's seat without a special election. Gillibrand had no problem with the process.

DioGuardi thought the tea party was good for America; Gillibrand did not. Gillibrand said she would, if invited, attend an opening ceremony of an Islamic community center and mosque near the World Trade Center site; DioGuardi would not.

They both agreed that rent is too high, a point hammered home in a debate earlier this week by Rent is 2 Damn High Party gubernatorial candidate Jimmy McMillan.