CEDAR FALLS -- During a radio debate on Monday, 1st Congressional District candidates disagreed on a potential economic stimulus package, gay marriage and Social Security.

The most pointed exchange between Republican challenger David Hartsuch and Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, occurred over the legal recognition of same-sex unions.

The hour-long forum, broadcast on Iowa Public Radio at the University of Northern Iowa, was sponsored by KUNI-FM.

Braley, who is from Waterloo, said the issue of gay marriage should be decided at the state level.

Hartsuch disagreed, saying it should be a federal decision. Without federal legislation, he said, states could be forced to recognized unions sanctioned in other states.

Hartsuch said Braley's position was "very similar" to the Dred Scott case decided in 1857 by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the case, the court ruled a slave could not be freed even if he was living in a free state when his owner died.

It is now considered one of the worst decisions in the court's history.

Braley countered that several safeguards exist to prevent states from being forced to accept another state's laws.

"Quite frankly, I'm offended my opponent would try to associate me with the disastrous Dred Scott decision, particularly given my advocacy in the past on behalf of people of color and people left out in society," he said.

The candidates also addressed the nation's financial crisis and struggling economy.

Braley defended his vote in favor of a $700 billion rescue package of Wall Street. He voted against the initial version of the bill, he said, because it did not include any financial assistance to Iowans.

He called a $4.6 billion tax package for Midwest disaster relief a "keystone" to the bill.

In any economic stimulus package passed by Congress, Braley said investments should be included for the nation's infrastructure.

He specifically cited money for bridges in disrepair and updates of the electrical grid that allow it to take full advantage of renewable energy production.

Hartsuch argued a stimulus package is an "excuse to spend money."

He agreed investment in infrastructure is needed, but said it should be included in the main budget.

"A stimulus package has never produced long-term growth," he said.

The candidates also clashed on the issue of Social Security.

Hartsuch said he would support a plan that allows people to invest up to 25 percent of their Social Security funds in the stock market.

"I do believe individuals can make better choices in the long run," he said.

Braley said he has always opposed privatizing Social Security.

"If there's any lesson we've learned from this economic meltdown, it is what a disaster most people would be in with their Social Security earnings if President Bush had gotten his way and been able to privatize Social Security," he said.

President Bush unsuccessfully backed a measure three years ago to privatize Social Security.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or

jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.