PROVO — The race for the 3rd Congressional District is not a bitter one.
And even though incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, and Democratic challenger Donald Dunn seem to respect each other and agree on many issues, they admit they have many differences. The two candidates, who will square off in November, began airing those differences Friday at a debate sponsored by the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce.
The debate was mainly a question-and-answer period, with the candidates having only 30 seconds to respond to questions — resulting in answers short on specifics. However, each was given time before and after the debate to present his main platform.
Cannon, running for his third term after unseating incumbent Bill Orton four years ago, emphasized tax cuts and a reduction in federal spending. If the federal surplus is used to pay off the national debt within the next seven years, combined with transitional tax cuts and no new federal spending programs, he said money will shift from the federal government into the economy. He said interest rates could drop as low as 4 percent, which will empower the middle class and poor and make housing and other necessities more affordable.
"I can't imagine people wanting any more than that," he said.
Dunn agreed that the budget surplus should be used to pay off the national debt, which he said would be one of his main priorities should he be elected. He mainly stressed, however, that he was running on a platform to be accessible to the constituents of the 18 counties making up the 3rd District.
He said he plans to visit with local leaders in every community in those counties and find out what issues are close to them, and then fight for those issues in the nation's capital.
He said the main role of a congressman is to be a good listener and make sure everyone in his district has a seat at the decision table.
"Congress is the front line of the constituents . . . and constituent service comes first," Dunn said.
Dunn continued with his challenge of Cannon's campaign finances, saying while Cannon is financing his campaign mostly with his own money, the $250,000 he has raised has come from more than 1,000 "skinny cats." Dunn said there should be no place in politics for big donations from big spenders.
"We shouldn't allow anybody to give anyone any amount," he said.
Cannon said the Internet and the access it provides to voters will change the face of campaign fund raising. The Internet empowers voters and gives them more access to candidates, he said, which means candidates will run more grass-roots campaigns funded by the little guys in their districts.
"I personally believe this is the last campaign where you will hear anything about campaign finance," Cannon said.
The incumbent said Internet issues will be his main priorities if re-elected and said he will push for "the federal government to keep its mitts off the Internet."
The two candidates both agreed that the constitutional process needs to be followed more closely in policy decisions involving access to public lands, designating wilderness and setting aside national monuments.
"We just don't do it with a stroke of a pen," Cannon said.
Dunn said all parties with an interest in such decisions need to be involved and brought together. He admitted that won't be easy, however, and compared issues involving public lands to the Middle East peace process.
"It is very real, and it is very emotional," Dunn said.
Both also agreed that Medicare needs to be expanded to include prescription drugs for the elderly.
"We have a serious problem with seniors when they have to choose between food and medication," Cannon said.
"It's a horrible position for the elderly to be in," Dunn agreed.
Cannon and Dunn will likely have another shot to air their views when the chamber sponsors a meet-the-candidate night closer to the election. Both candidates have Web sites to inform voters. Cannon's site is www.chriscannon.com and Dunn's is www.donalddunn2000.com.
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com