Senate hopefuls debate in Warsaw

WARSAW, Ind. (WANE) - Hundreds were in attendance as all five Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Evan Bayh squared off in a debate in Warsaw Saturday morning.

The debate, being organized by Kosciusko County Silent No More, will be from 10 a.m. to Noon at Center Lake Pavilion, 119 E. Canal St. in Warsaw.

All five candidates: Dan Coats, Richard Behney, Marlin Stutzman, Don Bates, Jr., and John Hostettler were there. Hostettler sent out an e-mail Friday asking his supporters to attend, encouraging them to arrive early because the pavilion only holds 400 people.

"I think this is a pretty extraordinary place and way to demonstrate who we are and let you make the decision," said candidate Dan Coats.

The enthusiastic crowd found opportunities to cheer and laugh as the candidates' focused on serious topics like the economy and federal spending.

"We are $12 million dollars in debt. How can we afford to continue maxing out the credit card on earmarks and frivolous projects when we're sinking our country further and further into red?" asked Marlin Stutzman.

That question echoed throughout the room during the two hours debate.

All of the candidates promised to reduce federal spending.

"We're not talking about voting necessarily for a new program we're talking about major reductions in spending on previous programs that are already in place and not raising taxes to do it," said John Hostettler.

Former Senator Dan Coats said restructuring programs like Medicare and Social Security won't happen without sacrifice.

"People are going to have to take cuts. We have a legacy for the future of our children to get those in balance and not pass that debt on," said Coats.

Coats concluded the debate urging the crowd to support the candidate's name ultimately listed on November's ballot.

"The last thing you want to do is to have Evan Bayh resign, because he saw the will of the people, and have a democrat take his place," said Coats.

The five candidates first debated just over a week ago in New Castle. The winner of the GOP May primary will face a Democratic candidate hand-picked by party leaders in the general election because no Democrat amassed enough signatures to qualify for the primary.

It appears Democratic leaders are coalescing around Brad Ellsworth, a congressman from southern Indiana, to be their nominee in the fall.