lcb has a 40 year history of contributing to the democratic process and tonight we continue that tradition with this program. >> good evening i'm barrier when present of the council for a better way than that. want to start by thanking louisiana tech university president les giese and the weidner center for civic and gauge men and public policy for hosting us here at this venue tonight. we really do appreciate it. but also like to thank our audience for being with us tonight and you our viewers who are watching at home and if you would like you can join in a conversation as we go on twitter just use hashtag lpd debate. >> was introduced the candidates joining us tonight. congressman john fleming is a republican state treasurer john kennedy is a republican from madisonville. attorney carolyn fay art is a democrat from new orleans. public service commissioner foster campbell is a democrat from boucher city. congressman charles boustany is a republican from lafayette. we asked our audience to hold

applause during this debate until the end but let's welcome now to candidates with a round of applause. thank you. [applause] >> moderator: our candidates will have one minute to respond questions from a panel of journalists. we have kelly's buyers of louisiana public broadcasting, greg hillburn of "usa today" network, elizabeth crist the advocate and jeremy offer editor and publisher of law politics.com. >> tonight we will attempt to cover a lot of territory as we delve into the national issues that are important to the future of the state. a drawing was used earlier to determine the order of questioning and closing statements. we will discuss the affordable care act, we will discuss the foreign affairs and perhaps gridlock in washington and much more. first our opening question for the candidates.

this question is what specifically in your professional career has prepared you to be liaison as next united states senator. >> moderator: mr. fleming able start us off. >> i am the one among those who are -- and i want to take louisiana values to washington. my background as a physician and a businessman and military member qualifies me for this. you know when i was 11 i wanted to be a doctor so bad and i worked for that and just before i went to college my dad died suddenly of a heart attack leaving my disabled mom and my brother and sister to fend for ourselves. i rolled my sleeves up and worked my way through college and medical school went on to the united states navy, rose to the level of lieutenant commander and after that set up a medical practice in louisiana with my family. there's something else i wanted. wanted to pursue the american dream of opening up a small business and i did that

including 500 louisiana jobs. you know what i now want to go to the u.s. senate and fight for louisiana families and fight for your american dream as well. >> moderator: thank you. mr. fleming. >> i want my country back. that's why i'm running for the u.s. senate. i believe america's best days lie ahead but not if we keep going in the direction washington d.c. is taking us. washington d.c. is ting to destroy the oil and gas industry washington d.c. is going to try to raise our flood insurance rates. china, russia, iran, isis now make the rules. i want to be united states senate to try to change that. now i say washington d.c. i'm of course referring to president obama and secretary clinton but i'm also referring to the ritz-carlton democrats and the big government republicans in

the united states congress who talk some that they have set back from the last eight years and let the president and the secretary do anything they want to do. all of the mod to be ashamed of themselves. i don't mandate any disrespect but they have to hide their heads. i'm not part of the club in a group and i won't be part of the club in washington d.c.. >> good evening my name is carolyn fayard. there are three formative experiences i'd like to talk with you about tonight but i believe have prepared me to be the next united states senator for louisiana. the first is a recent college graduate i worked on wall street and witness the second plane hit the tower that day. the second experience is my experience working in a federal court and the aftermath of hurricane katrina were there and it was importantly a government that was responsive and when it was and we had a core system i was able to make sure that people were able to stay in their homes and get the relief that they needed through no

fault of their own when disaster buff also spurred the third would be the aftermath of the bp oil spill. when i worked on behalf of the negligence of bp to make sure that our -- and i understood there was a point where government and business intersect and at that point true leadership would have to step up and create compromise to make sure our people get back to work and their future remains bright. thank you. >> moderator: mr. campbell. >> i'm foster campbell. i teach school in louisiana a small place. by the way this auditorium is named after a man who came from their, jill wagner. i've never been a politician is tap dancing shoes. the worst thing i've seen since i've been in politics is all these politicians going around telling what they are going to do but there's an old saying don't tell me what you're going to do. what you tell me what you have done. i'm the only one appear that is created a billion dollar trust fund which i did and we still have it today. my home parish of boucher paris

i make the school board say the money. we have a 45 million-dollar trust fund for education. i'm certainly the only one appeared that is stood up for bobby jindal for eight years as louisiana's governor. he did more harm to our state than any governor of louisiana. in fact by the people. in doing at all my life and i know how to do the job. understand sticking up for people. >> moderator: mr. boustany. >> thank you for hosting this forum. my name is charles boustany i want to earn your trust as a united states senator brett is a heart surgeon i had to learn to trust my patience and i was very successful in my career. now in public service i have worked hard to earn the trust of the third irrational district. i felt myself and both of these endeavors endeavors to the standard of ruthless accountability, real results not just talk but focused on getting results in solving the problems. ladies and gentlemen i understand the serious

challenges and we have the get serious. our national security is at risk our economy has stalled. people are hurting and our values, our american values are being questioned around the world. it's time to get serious about solving these problems and that's what i will bring to nicely scented a record of achievement for a record results. i ask for your support. i'm -- to charles boustany you will find out more about me. i asked for your vote on november 8. >> thank you for your answers will go to her journal as panelists prefers we will hear from kelly sires. >> 3000 louisiana residents have enrolled in medicaid for expanded eligibility of the affordable care act. the precariously bound state budget relies on savings generated by federal funds, financing our coverage. what specific changes would you make if any to the epa and how would you assure no problems are

created? >> i think baca, the affordable care act, has been an abysmal failure. i would tear it out by the roots and start over. americans deserve a patient-centered health care delivery system like somebody designed it on purpose. here's what i would place in the health care delivery system. we need more choice. we need more competition. we need less fraud. we need more pay for performance , not pay for value. we need to repeal the medicare and ferguson act of 1945 so we can buy health insurance across state lines. we need to block grant the money for medicaid to the states. we need to start charging the co-pay to folks on medicaid who want to go to the emergency rooms to get treated for a fever blister. for able-bodied folks who are

receiving medicaid, free health care there should be a work requirement. again i want to -- a health care delivery system that looks like someone designed it on purpose. >> moderator: thank you mr. boustany. ms. fayard. >> in addition to over 300,000 working people that have health care coverage they save money. about $184 million and it's going to continue to save us money. the state match was around 40% during the gentle years paying expansion dollars. for -- it is now fallen to point 2.5%. is estimated that this medicaid expansion will provide $1.5 billion annually as an economic driver to her economy and making sure working people in louisiana or bring your tax dollars am and making sure they get coverage. our coverage breast cancer

awareness month in the statistics are these 24 women as a result of the health care coverage have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are not getting lifesaving treatment so we literally are saving lives by bringing our tax dollars home. >> moderator: thank you ms. fayard. mr. campbell. >> i have a son named -- i asked peter, what do you think about the affordable care act and he said dad let me play you something. does more good than bad and i believe peter is right. there's some things about the way to fix. first of all we need to attract younger people into the program to spread the risk. small businesses are having problems with it but let me tell you something, if you repeal the affordable care act it would never be put back on the books again. i'm not willing to do that. 300,000 people have insurance. i'm not about turn them out on the streets. brings in 50 million year the time that we are broke.

we get money out of it, it's good for us and it's good for the economy is good for three and a thousand people. i'm for keeping the affordable care act in fixing the problems we have with it. >> moderator: thank you mr. campbell. mr. boustany. >> the high mark of quality health care is the doctor patient relationship. he cannot reach high-quality and bring your cost to the lowest possible level without getting every patient into a meaningful doctor patient relationship. that's where the medicaid system fails because we don't have the complement of specialists and primary care physicians who do what the governor wants to do with expansion i'm deeply concerned about what the cost is going to be. the care is going to be an emergency room. we have to keep run the ball. focusing on quality, getting people into a doctor patient relationship making sure that everything is focused on true transparency on cost and quality so everybody whether it's a physician or physician and

patient can make good judgment calls on what's appropriate. when a competition to bring costs down and we need to put the family back in charge of health care not insurance bureaucrats, not bureaucrats in washington but the decision-makers and families. that's how we get back to system we can be proud of. >> moderator: thank you. mr. fleming. >> is a physician and someone who has covered people under my employment i can tell you that being fair during the obamacare debate i warned everybody, he said your costs are going to go up, your premiums. you are not going to be able to keep your present health care and you will feel the keep your insurance in it we see today it's failed. even democrats admit it's failed here's wouldn't understand. congressman boustany said he agrees with 80% of obamacare and lately he has said like democrats he would like to go-go blind deadline and fix fix it. ladies and gentlemen we cannot fix something that has a terrible foundation and i'd also

remind my democrat friends that it's $700 billion for medicare and medicare is going broke. absolute nonsense. we need to move forward into the 21st century and have patient-centered care and make sure that we get the choice to the doctor and the patient not mandates. [inaudible] >> i never said i agree with 80% of obamacare. that's absolutely false. the times i said that we could find some agreement was prior to obamacare well before that when we were talking a bipartisan way about what health care could look like which is what i just dealt with my physician. >> we have documented that you actually said that so you can run but you can't hide, charles. >> moderator: her next

question comes from the "usa today" network. >> according to a poll conducted by opinion research more than half of those surveyed think the country should be somewhat or very involved in foreign affairs. we have learned this past weekend that the u.s. is providing air and ground support to iraqi forces in an attempt to retake mosul for isis. do you support this action and do you believe the u.s. had any obligation to be involved in global conflicts? >> moderator: ms. fayard we begin with you. >> i did support the effort and i believe we must support the kurds and iraqi sonogram. the reason mosul is important is the strategic sitting for oil and money and it's the way the funds can destabilize isis. the truth of the matter is foreign affairs, we are the

greatest country the world is ever non-and they are coming us. we have seen it the domestic terrorism. they have the radical islamic ideology. we had to the. intake lead and we had to put her allies on the ground to make sure our national security stay strong. there are couple of things. it's increasing airstrikes and supporting our allies in the middle east and other areas that will permit our democratic values. >> moderator: thank you. mr. campbell. >> i do support it. i'm worried about russia's power and what they are doing in the world today and i'm worried about iran and every area this world. there is one provision. i want to see our allies help themselves. i don't think we can be -- we can protect the world. i want to make sure we hafle help from allies.

i don't want us to be the only ones trying to police the world. >> moderator: mr. boustany. >> we will have chaos without american leadership. that's been very clear to me. we have would not retake mosul for isis if we had a strategy over the past eight years. the obama administration has wobbled and drifted from crisis to crisis. we lost parts of iraq to isis because there's no strategy to deal with the aftermath. the fact of the matter is we did a strategy nine other elements of the strategy. three years ago when i saw we were fully addressed. we need a safe zone across the turkish and iraqi border. we need to put your boots on the ground. we provide air cover and intelligence capabilities. we can then consolidate a working coalition, not a coalition paper and rollback isis, rollback the financial and we need the economic side to deal with the oil transactions.

this administration has no strategy and that's why we need someone that can provide input and guidance and real leadership on a strategy. >> moderator: thank you. mr. fleming. >> i have served in the military no one else on this stage is served in the military. i meet with private and four-star generals all the time to talk about these problems. you know one of the things that really concerns me his day -- created in the middle east by john kerry and the secretary of state that we have someone here tonight john kennedy who endorsed john kerry for president. that was his mentor so i hope john has changed his view on things but he certainly was a big supporter when he was a liberal democrat of john kerry. we need to go and destroy isis; support that. i don't want to have our troops

in the frontline but they do need to be in a support role. we need to have a eyes on the battlefield to make that happen. >> mr. kennedy. >> and you get kicked in the rear it usually means you're out front. i do support the american airstrikes in mosul. i think we have to go further. i think that's a fully armed the kurds, the first mega, peshmerga excuse me. but there is a larger problem on international affairs. our enemies no longer respect us and our friends no longer trust us because of president obama's policies. and he alone is not responsible. do you know who else is responsible? the united states congress because they have sat there for eight years and they talk tough and they huffed and they puffed and they have done nothing about

it. america is the strongest country in the history of the world. we need to start acting like it. that's how we will win the war on terror. >> moderator: thank you very much. follow-up? >> i'm for boots on the ground, actually u.s. it's on the ground and who would take in any of these foreign complex for you to support back? >> you know greg it has to be an absolute last resort for most precious resource which is american troops and to send them into conflict with an exit strategy. i'm not in favor taking any option off the table giving what an enemy may present us but i certainly understand we need to work in partnership with the occupant of the white house whoever that may be when this election cycle is over as well as our generals and their military intelligence to make the right decision.

right now we need to support the troops that are on the ground, the iraqi's and the kurds. when you have airstrikes and we need to be able to fully have a coalition of partners in the united states so we can defeat isis. >> moderator: you have 30 seconds. mr. campbell. >> i would have to consult with all of our military leaders, the cia and the fbi, everybody to see if this was something that had to happen. it would be very hard for me to commit our man on the ground, men and women on the ground and i would have to know emphatically that 100% of our allies are willing to -- again. i'm very concerned about that because we have done a lot in other people don't seem to help us as much as we help them and i'm not going to commit our troops about that. >> moderator: thank you. mr. boustany. >> you have to understand the utility of force and when it's

appropriate and when it's not. secondly i do support the situation in mosul because we have a clear objective in mosul are special ops guys on the ground have a clear objective. so you have to have clear objectives. there has to be the antenna means that the matchup. these troops have to be properly resourced and there has to be a strategy. you cannot commit troops on the ground, american lives without a strategy, clear-cut strategy and it has to be well thought out. in world war ii we had a clear strategy. we also had a clear plan for what was going to happen the aftermath. that's been missing for the last eight years and that's why we are going back into putting american lives at risk again. that's got to stop. we need a strategy. >> moderator: thank you. >> i hate to break the news that we are to have boots on the ground. we have almost 5000 american troops. the whole problem and i think congressman boustany clearly outlined this person no obama

directed our troops out and an appropriate time to not get a status of forces agreement and we now have isis to deal with and it's a big problem. the president has been quietly putting troops back and that's fine that we will have to continue to build buzz and hopefully we can train up the iraqi troops and others to do the fighting force that we have to provide the support. >> mr. kennedy. >> we do have troops on the ground. i'm not sure we have 5000 that we do american have american troops there. the problem in the middle east is it's primarily not our problem. the other problem is the only two groups that seem to know how to fight our isis and the peshmerga troops with the kurds. where is saudi arabia a? where is egypt? where is jordan? where is the united arab emirates? the more helps those who help themselves and before a commit more american troops i want to

see the folks from the middle east -- is there region of the work. i want to see them commit something. >> moderator: thank you very much gentlemen and ladies. our debate comes in the campus a weekend attack. let's see what students have to say about issues that are important to them. >> is part of its coverage for the upcoming election louisiana public broadcasting recently sat down with some students from louisiana tech to see what issues are on their minds. the group had a diverse list of concerns that they hope louisiana's next senator will address. >> i think it's important that our senators focus on who the next president is going to nominate to the supreme court. >> one thing that is important to me as our veterans. i'm a military brat myself and the mental health of our veterans. >> i want a senator who focuses on making louisiana for state that i hope to live in. so importantly figure out how to make education competitive but still affordable.

>> despite their varied interests all the students shared a common desire for louisiana's next senator to work with members of the opposing party where the victor makes it to washington. >> the process be able to compromise. if i feel like in the past especially in the past generation be it left or right it's either black or white and i feel young people are very grey so i really want someone is going to be open to compromise. be firm in what they believe and also want the best for the country and want the best for the state of louisiana. >> moderator: as we learned of the video millennials see issues in shades of gray but according to a poll conducted by southern media and opinion research 50% of those surveyed in a poll would rather the next u.s. senator stand up for their position rather than compromise with others even impose legislative action but the

package for flood relief for south louisiana passed a nearly the last moment due to washington's dysfunction. would you be the type to stick to your guns or her work to compromise and what is your past experience and we are going to begin with mr. campbell. >> that's a great question. would you compromise? sometimes i've been hard to compromise on things that i really believe in and i might be a little too hardheaded some people say but i have been very successful as a politician but i'm one of the few people who are politicians. they are politicians that they don't want to talk about. i've done some great things and when i was in the legislature might -- was a republican. he didn't want the tobacco companies -- that gives money to

every classroom lazy louisiana. think you have to know how to compromise. i served with david satter and he he had very few friends in that state senate. i don't want to do that. i want to go to the senate to make friends and i want to work with the people of in louisiana like i worked with the people of louisiana. i know how to compromise and i know how to get things done. i've been doing it for years. >> moderator: thank you mr. boustany. >> regardless of who is president of houston leadership i believe you have to get results and that's been my record in public service from hurricane katrina and rita working across the aisle to get assistance. unable to get those things done. veterans, i have fought hard, worked very hard to get veterans clinics one in lake charles for veterans who been underserved. i had to take on my leadership

and i was able to get it done. stick to conservative principles. i believe you have to get results. the latest episode is through flood relief. this almost fell apart in the very day we voted to get it done my actions working along with senator richman at our delegation a bipartisan way we were able to salvage the deal at the grain to make sure it came to a vote and we got flood relief. i have a record of doing this. i don't compromise principles that i get results. >> moderator: thank you. mr. fleming. >> i'm always happy to compromise with people on pieces of legislation always crafting the best for america but i will never compromise the constitution are my principles. but you know it is one thing to get things done. another thing to get the right things done. congressman boustany has gotten things done like voting to raise the debt limit five times and voting for the big bank dale loves. he voted for cash for clunkers

for heaven sakes. very few republicans voted for that. we have to stand up for americans. we have a 20 trillion-dollar national debt. when we going to start compromising on that? >> to begin a cutting credit spending and reform washington. is your next u.s. senator that's exactly what i'm going to do. >> moderator: mr. kennedy. >> i think most will be cnn's understand that i try not to be rude but i speak my mind. i've be willing to stand up to politicians more powerful than me from both parties when i thought it was within the taxpayers interest. having said that i'm very proud of my legislative record. i convince louisiana legislature to sell 60% of the tobacco settlement and let me take up $1.2 billion and put it into a trust fund. they didn't spend a penny. it's protected in the

constitution. i convince louisiana legislature along with montgomery to allow me to use the unclaimed property program to leverage bonds to help finish i-49 north and to make a meaningful start on i-49 south. i convince louisiana legislature to allow me to invest in israel bonds. i had to explain to them what i was doing. it's been one of the best investments louisiana has ever made so i'm very proud of my legislative record. >> i was in the legislature at the time we got the money for the tobacco settlement and you didn't vote on that. you weren't in the legislature. he didn't convince the legislature to save that money. you have no votes at don't tell these people that you convince the legislature. you had no votes. you were the treasure. you might have suggested it and you i've been for it but you

didn't vote for it as you had no vote. don't tell people you put it -- i put a billion away for the trust fund. you didn't have one vote. >> moderator: you have 30 seconds to respond mr. boustany and then we will go to ms. fayard. >> he is just wrong. i don't even know fewer still in legislature. to sell or securitize settlement income streams. we raise $1.2 billion. now we convince not a single legislator, not one to touch a penny of that and let me put into a trust fund. you were there, you voted on the trust fund but i convince them along with some other really good people to allow us, was a. easy sell. what was tough was to put all $1.2 billion of the trust fund. i did that and i'm very proud of it. >> moderator: i -- gentleman i

met in fact-checking will be all over the place a muslim. we will go to ms. fayard the last one. >> i'm going to let everyone else point fingers and tried it answer the question. we should not be willing to compromise. but they make a pledge to all of you. i've always been in -- ahmad is going to put louisiana families first. certainly what is in the best interest is making sure the 54 of 64 parishes that have been affected by flooding in 2016 and people get back on their feet and back in their homes. we have to compromise. i will say i am one of 99 other people, 100 people minutes at senate. you're going to have to stand for values for the not going to compromise on values whether it's being pro-life or caring

about the american worker but i will tell you this. i'm also not going to play politics for the people that are not in their homes. i'm going to do what's right for our families in louisiana. >> moderator: the next question comes from elizabeth crist. >> the stafford act of the primarily federal statute that guide the nation's response to federal disasters to the recent disasters come under scrutiny for the tight restrictions it places on fema. barrasso concerns over what some see as lifting criteria for decorations that end up costing the country millions. do you believe that the stafford act needs to be reformed and if so how would you change it? >> moderator: mr. boustany we will start with you. >> we took one step after the 05 hurricanes katrina and rita but instead of appropriating separate money at the time that we did that, we created a separate fund, disaster relief

fund and put this on the budget rather than having it off budget and having an endless way of spending money. the stafford act its pure form because fema is not flexible. i've dealt with this. i have dealt with this during four different hurricanes in the recent floods. they rotate people and not so new people coming and have to start over and the time they don't know what's going on. they give misinformation. they have misled local governments the costs cost of local governments lots of money. we have to go back and fight to rectify that problem. the fact of the matter is yes, the stafford act deftly performed. we need much more flexibility with fema. fema must be much more responsive to our local governments and stakeholders that they serve great that's the fundamental issue that has to be taking care but i will do that as the next u.s. senator. >> i was actually in baton rouge when they have the most recent flood event tonight to her afterwards. watching how people got at their

homes and put their memorabilia and everything they had out on the streets was really a sad situation. i worked with my colleague among our louisiana delegation to have proper funding it would go forward at that and we started with approximately $500 million. there's another area of floods that a lot of people in louisiana are being affected and that is the flip premiums. they have skyrocketed in last few years. i supported and helped lead the effort to make sure that we got relief for homeowners so they couldn't be forced to be pushed out of their homes. i supported and voted for the grand cassidy had been very importantly congressman boustany did not vote for that. what is important is gimmicky behind import measures that are necessary? >> moderator: thank you. >> if i make it to happen the first question i'm going to ask god is why bad things happen to

good people because i don't understand. we have a lot of really bad things happen to a lot of really good people this year. in march flooding in north louisiana in south louisiana was devastating. it was terrific. our people need help and the stafford act and provided and yeah gerson changes we need to make but one of the most important changes, link to require fema to involve our state initiatives, our local issues and are great players and taxpayers when they are making these decisions about where you can build and where you can't build and how high you have to elevate your home and whether you should have to elevate your home at all. that's the biggest thing lacking in the statue. you have bureaucrats from afar in washington d.c. and you have to get a permission slip from them to do anything.

>> moderator: thank you. ms. fayard? >> we need to reform the stafford act or in hurricane katrina i was working for the federal court at that time in my judge actually got assigned all the results of the litigation. although extensively with fema particularly was called the time the hotel motel prior -- program. fema was trying to push people out of their houses right around thanksgiving and christmas. i learned extensively the gaps at that time. there've been some improvements that they are not enough. when we are thinking about the recent flooding event renters are not particularly threatened at all by fema or the aftermath and we know given the downturn in the housing crisis in 2008 and before people are struggling to stay in homes and to have homeownership. we need to make reforms and focus on the national flood insurance program. we need to reauthorize it and we

also need to cut administrative costs which are as high as 30% right now. >> moderator: thank you. mr. campbell. >> my house flooded in march and i was in knee-deep in water. i live on a farm in every acre was covert, all but one. we had 150 cows and we slammed them out of there and so i know all about. a terrible situation is terrible because it causes all kinds of chaos for families at the terror of the stuff out. if you don't have the money it's really hard. flood insurance doesn't cover it so we need every kind of program, every kind of new innovation that we can get. let me tell you something i'm the only one appear that will admit that we have man-made global warming. louisiana is not the same as not going to be the same so we need every program. we have had people in baton rouge who were not in a flood

zone and flooded. it's never happened in 500 years so our country is changing. our world is changing. we have man-made global warming. >> i would like like to follow-up with each of you. i was wondering if you could grade the federal response to the most recently as the floods on a scale of one to five with one being unsuccessful and five being terrific. >> moderator: mr. boustany. >> i think it's a three. gotten better since katrina and rita and we have seen improvement that we still have a long way to go. we still see the problems with fema with the rapid rotation of personnel coming through. we still have problems with the fact that there is misinformation is put out there oftentimes. so you really need to straighten up our doubt. we need more continuity and better trained people.

>> i would have to grade them in to two. it wasn't absolutely ridiculous that the slowness of the response according to mayor landry of denham springs is five or six days before they sign a buddy from the federal government. >> i would give them a three so far. >> honestly if you are not back in your home if they won. what does it matter to you what our greatest? fema did better with katrina but it's not good enough. >> 2.5. >> moderator: okay. all right. jeremy alford will handle our next question. >> oil and gas industry released to the federal government is rocky at best. if energy executives here complaining of a regulatory onslaught most of the key

policies being drafted are either coming from the white house or from federal agencies not the u.s. senate and not the u.s. house. their restrictions on offshore and onshore drilling. there are also plans for financial insurances and a well-controlled rule. as louisiana's next senator would you use such actions as a regulatory overreach or an appropriate use of authority? >> moderator: mr. fleming, you go first. >> is a strong and proven conservative i'm very protective of our industry that is so important we stand. i serve on natural resources committee. back then the subcommittee chairman and we deal with the wellbore rule on offshore drilling. you are absolutely right jeremy, the federal government is absolutely triangulating our energy industry and they are doing it deliberately. they're going after the oil industry and they say that

natural gas is a transitional fuel. i guess what they want us to do is live on no windmills and solar panels which really don't work. we have to bring common sense. we need to let all the reforms compete in the marketplace, get away from the nonsense and get away from the strangulated regulations that are destroying the industry and jobs. >> moderator: mr. kennedy. >> president obama belief that he can tax, spend and regulate american prosperity including our oil and gas industry. and apparently congress agrees because for eight years they talked but they haven't done anything about it. your three things i will try to do is a united states senator. i'm going to pass a law that says if bureaucracy proposes a regulation that has a 50 million-dollar impact or more congress gets to vote on it. that's number one. number two i want to pass a law

that says the bureaucracy wants to propose a rule and that's fine. that's a point for three rules they have two get rid of. number three and going to require and national regulatory budget where we list all 67,000 of the regulations our oil and gas industry and petro industry have to comply with do we will now how much they cost and try to pass a bill that would require every rule and regulation to have a sunset provision. >> moderator: thank you. i didn't talk to you particularly but you can use your time later. ms. fayard. >> louisiana some oil and gas state. it's imperative the next senator takes this caused to our people. we have a working coast. we also have a balance clean air clean water and transition to energy of the future. we don't want to be left behind as people transition to wind and solar so we need to have and all that approach.

fortunately our state is beautiful in our state has plenty of abundant resources and skilled workforce that can take the lead here. i would also say in the bp litigation we lost 11 fine men because of negligence, because we have the congress chasing the wrong thing. you have to have a champion to understand there has to be a balance on these issues and fighting every single day to balance interest that requires leadership and requires compromise from time to time but it requires maintaining her louisiana values and a working class of we do have. >> moderator: thank you. mr. campbell. >> thank you. appreciate i appreciate the question. of course regulation can be risky and it can be too liberal. let's talk about -- i'm the only one appear that both say when the oil companies to damage the

coast they need to pay for it. there's not one soul listening to this broadcast tonight who had somebody tear up your yard without asking for it to dessa we do. they write the big checks and the politicians to the tap dancing. let me just get this straight. 90% of the oil and gas found off the coast comes a tourist the coast can try to her stay pair won their state to be treated fairly and i want the oil companies to pay their fair share. that's all i want. nothing more than their fair share. >> moderator: thank you. mr. boustany. >> this is a -- industry for state in our country but i'm the only one appear his taking substandard steps that it ended up in results. i stopped the attempt by the

president obama to tax, the $10.25 barrel tax. i stopped that. i also got legislation passed to stop the regulatory overreach. i got a pass in the house. we need a senator who will acting get this done. i pass legislation to stop the new viability that will bankrupt our offshore companies. herding them battling killing jobs through the 70s act and we need a senator who needs -- knows how to get this done pramila one appear who took the most important strategic step we have taken with oil and gas and that is to vote to lift the ban. i'm proud of that vote. it was a very important vote. why should we give iran the ability to sell oil anywhere and tell her producers they can't sell oil anywhere but here in the u.s.. it's wrong. >> moderator: thank you very much. we have now reached a point in the debate review the candidates

will pose questions to other candidates. they were determined by prior drying. the candidate may ask a question for 230 seconds. the candidate being asked a question will have a minute to respond and the rebuttal will calm to the questioner and 30 seconds. it's complicated. mr. boustany you are a person you have a question for ms. fayard. >> thank you. ms. fayard during my time in service i've been a staunch supporter boiling gas. i stop president obama when he wanted to put a new tax on every barrel of oil and increase the liquefied gas tax to lift the oil on exports. i pass bills to stop these onerous regulations on this industry and most recently introduced legislation to deal with the growing problem of legacy lawsuits. ms. fayard want to clarify your position on the legacy lawsuit issue.

>> thank you for that question. i am at the least the only practicing lawyer on this stage and i'm actually a civil justice attorneys on involve often in large cases where companies and plaintiffs go after each other. sometimes his company versus company. i would counsel everybody the way that i would counsel mike clients. litigation is a means to an end. it's not in and of itself is very important that you manage expectations whether it's the legacy lawsuit to be time-consuming and costly, expensive and there are no guarantees. oftentimes it seems that when you have too few because the money is not checked it necessary what it needs to go but it will take united states senator, i'll i'll be honest a united states senator who can hold together a coalition of willing partners that will help restore the coast map means restore act fun. that means taking care of panel

ties when those get assessed. >> moderator: thank you ms. fayard. i appreciate your answer. i support this industry good times and bad but i'm baffled by one of my republican opponents who would suggest raising the tax when it's on its knees. books in louisiana looking for someone is consistent with the principles and has a proven track record of getting things done. that's been my record of service i will continue to be a champion for our state. >> moderator: mr. campbell will have a question for mr. boustany. >> mr. boustany i want to ask you a question as a politician. you are a physician and i know you have compassion for people. you told me about it and i respect you. you look after the health and

that includes mental health. and louisiana we need help with mental health. so my question is simple. one of our opponents mr. kennedy has an average of supposed suicide. he says jokingly at record drink weedkiller. mental health is a big challenge for state and certainly nothing to joke about. it's very important issue to my family, very important. the question is this, do you think mr. kennedy should apologize for joking about suicide? >> let me just say mr. campbell i appreciate your views and mental health is not a joking matter for anyone. many families across this country have been affected by it one way or another. we all know somebody who has serious mental thomas. i've taken steps to my time in service to pass bills, co-sponsor bills, most recently a large mental health reform bill. we have to put on. he was fiscal health of me to

take it seriously and yes i would agree that i do think mr. kennedy should apologize. thank you. >> i would like to say is that dad i'm real touchy about suicide, very very touchy. my whole family is and i don't think its funny. i really have feelings for people with mental illness. there's nothing like natomas. the whole family suffers. there's no disease like mental thomas and we have a lot of sick people and lazy and of the need help. the first time i heard it it made the hair on my neck stand up and i was sick to hear about somebody drinking poison that would kill them. i thought that was way out of line. >> moderator: ms. fayard you have a question for mr. kennedy please. >> you are going to have your one minute.

>> i would rather he answer that. >> treasurer candidate bobby jindal ring to us -- this year there was a bipartisan effort including the governor and the legislature to try and fix fix . one was refinancing from outstanding bond is that with admittedly provide the cash savings of $82 million to help health care and education. as chairman of the commission you had to vote on this measure. spin past 13-1. you were the lone -- both. this means you support the -- of bobby jindal. [inaudible] >> governor jindal did a number of good things but finances was not one of them. i was the very first person to

stand up and say that his decisions were going to lead us. and i paid a price for that. they cut my budget of $500,000. i took it full on the face and kept going. i was the first one to stand up and say look governor you shouldn't spend all $880 million in the medicaid trust fund. the money is supposed to be there for our elderly. i was the first one to say look y'all it's wrong to spend $400 million from retirees health insurance fund. so i put my record of standing up against politicians of both parties who are more powerful to me up against anyone. >> are the facts. the refinancing save to save money in interest rate on long-term debt dropped

substantially predated the $1.69 help shore up -- so regardless of what the treasure said the chief financial officer made a poor political decision on this one and the bad financial decision to these issues will come up again and so on the half of the people of louisiana perhaps we should dial back. >> moderator: mr. fleming has a question for mr. campbell. >> mr. campbell as a trust a conservative i'm 100% pro-life and i'm also a huge supporter of the 2nd amendment. the right to bear arms. in fact i'm the only one on the stage tonight who has passed a pro-gun bill into law. here's my question. i'm very confused by your position on this thing. said quote i'm scared it won't carry. you also said it's cold and callous not to have taxpayer funding of abortion.

what is your answer, sir? >> let me state it for everybody and louisiana especially for your doctor fleming. i am pro 2nd amendment and i am pro-life, very very simple. we are talking about guns. mr. fleming you don't have as many shotgun society. i have 36 and if you have more than that i will take my hat off to you. i'm a bird hunter and i passed youth hunting days in louisiana and i was on the louisiana wildlife association. i am pro-life and i'm pro-gun. that's pure and simple. >> you refuse to fill out the nra survey and refuse to fill a louisiana right to life survey. if you support hillary clinton hillary is very much pro abortion and very much anti-gun.

>> finally mr. kennedy was your question for mr. fleming? >> okay, thank you. john, we have been together and i've gotten to know you and i'm enjoying it. i've heard you in a number of forums talk about the problems and medicare, not medicaid to medicare and social security. i was wondering tonight if you could elaborate on the problems you see in what americans ought to do about it. >> first of all is a proven conservative i want to save and protect social security. everyone has paid into it, everyone who is on it and everyone soon to be on it should have their -- when it comes to medicare runs out of money in nine years. something must be done immediately and again obamacare took $700 billion out of medicare.

i have to tell you folks we are going to have to perform spending in washington. look forward to working with my senate colleagues in achieving that. >> i have 30 seconds? >> yes, you do. >> i believe that everybody ought to get medicare and social security they paid for. you want to save money i want to read you some the things the congress has appropriate money for it. congress appropriated $1.5 million to study the effects of swedish massages on bunny rabbit. congress than $750,000 on the soccer field for guantánamo bay terrace terrace. congress than $370,000 to study whether mothers love -- as much as their kids. >> moderator: we are going back to questions from our reporters and our next question comes from kelly's buyers.

>> louisiana's economy and employment opportunity or heavy elite reliant on the -- industry which has had its ups and downs. louisiana workers are concerned about having good jobs in a variety of industries in the future. what can you do as a senator to help create the next generation of jobs and we cannot? >> moderator: mr. kennedy, you go first. >> years we need to do to grow jobs in america. number one stop illegal immigration. number to negotiate better trade agreements. number three, make it possible, get the tax incentives to businesses to invest money in software and machinery and equipment and new planes. that's going to create jobs and that's going to enhance productivity which will make wages go up. number four, we need to encourage american businesses,

and you can do it through the tax system, to try to engage in more profit sharing so employees can share in the profits. the enhance productivity on behalf of the employees will pay for the whole program. number five, we have got to send their folks back to school. congress has allowed trade adjustment assistance for folks who've lost their jobs in terms of helping them reeducate. if you do those things we will get this economy moving again. ..

first thing we need to do, we have ups and downs and now not many people are drilling.

the next thing, we get them back here to try to help the educational program which stops the bad trade deals. i think nafta has problems and i wouldn't have voted for it. you want to know how you're going to pay for all of this? the way i do it i make all the corporations get them up and see if they create jobs or just we have millions of jobs coming to companies that don't produce any jobs that i did take the could y and have a litmus test. if you don't produce jobs we take them away and train people. >> thank you very much. small-business startups are very low right now. we haven't seen this low level since the 70s. wthey needed the economic growth and the less than 1% isn't satisfactory.

we've got to get policies in place, regulatory reforms in things we talked about just now let's talk specifics to louisiana. we are on the campus of louisiana tech university. the bright spots i believe in the country. look what is being done with cybersecurity and engineering and cost training right here. that's what we need to do more of. we can create innovation and bring outside investment along with internal investment in louisiana. second, they are very innovative. we need to continue to build on it and stop the war on energy and finally, we need to export more. i want chinese mothers buying shirts off the shelves that say made in louisiana. we need a trade markets that's going to be the key to getting growth and creating jobs. jobs. >> moderator: thank you. mr. fleming.

>> he's actually created a 500 jobs in the private sector. i have to tell you the formula is very simple. we need to repeal obamacare it is the biggest job killer we have today and we need to repeal dodd frank that is killing the community bank every day in the country and we need to roll back the regulations. mr. kennedy said we should pass a bill that already does that so i can vote for it there. also we need to reduce and simplify taxes, but i have to take issue with my friend, john kennedy. he read off all these expenditures on stuff that i never did support for. what about the $400,000 a year spent out of taxpayer money instead of the zero that you would pay in the 300 strong of our work that you criticize bobby jindal.

>> moderator: you may have 30 seconds. >> boustany: with respect to my friend john mckee said is not true. true. let me tell you what is true, congress spent $400 million to study whether life can exist on jupiter's moon. congress appropriated $370,000 to study whether they love their dogs as much as kid. they gave 700,000 to the nationn in vietnam to help them restore and the congress appropriated $753 million for themselves to remodel one of their buildings. i think we could have build some roadbuilt someroads in louisian. >> moderator: you didn't talk about you. let's wait until the next response.

>> moderator: the next question is from the usa today network. >> moderator: no matter who wins, we will have one of the most junior delegations where the seniority wins. what will you overcome that weakness coming and how can you do that as a legislator in washington. we will start with you on this one. >> seniority is how it works in the senate and washington, d.c.. 38 years of age, when i bring that up it is to emphasize i have a little bit more runway than others to rebuild the seniority back and create some relationships. i already have some relationships and washington, d.c.. that will benefit louisiana.

we are going to have a new congress in january and a new president. some people may be happy or feel displaced about whoever that may be that i am going to work as hard as i can every single day and use the relationships to continue to build new ones to initiate our people for the long haul. >> some people say i'm too old. i'm younger than donald trump. i'm younger than bill clinton and the same age as hillary clinton. i know how to build a consensus. i've done it in the legislature and passed bills with republicans and democrats. nobody has done more for working people, not one. i am proud of my record.

i can use good call and sends practices to louisiana to help the great state of louisiana. >> boustany: and the most difficult political environment we've seen, i've been able to get results and work with others on the other side of the aisle with the house and senate. senate. didn't violate principles into stand up to things and find ways to get things done even when we were obstructed by our own leadership. we were trying to obstruct the ability to get the clinics and i found a way to get around it. so what you need is somebody that is smart and works hard to understand the issues and second, it's all about the

relationships. the one thing that matters the most is getting results. i have a proven track record and i will take that and get results for you. >> the best way to solve the problem. here's the problem in washington it's no longer about seniority that the fourth branch of government and bureaucracy. it's given all the power to the executive branch. i even fought against his good friend john boehner that kept selling out to president obama.

that iif that is your power. you speak through their representative. >> seniority does matter in the united states congress. i think big ideas matter in recent years i've watched some brand-new senators make a big impact on the country and i think senator rubio and senator paul and i don't agree with everything they've said or done anin any person would agree that they have made a big impact on the discussion and the vision of where america ought to go to the i'm going to offer to take them to lunch or dinner. i will buy.

i want to know what are their interests, what are their desires, what do they hope to accomplish, and i want to introduce myself. i want to work with everybody but i'm not going to sacrifice my principles. >> the next question comes from elizabeth. >> moderator: the senate has refused to move forward on the justice on the justice to be filled by the next president and confirmed by the incoming sena senate. more could come up on the supreme court. what issues would you prioritize when considering the supreme court justice? >> the senate ought to do the job. i think if you don't like it, vote against him. but if he's a republican or democrat, he has the right to have his nominees that had to be

coveted. i told you i was pro-life and to vote for a supreme court justice that is pro-life, that is one of my name considerations and i also would like to know that he has experience and a heart he isn't cold hearted and owned by the corporations. i would like to see that he's interested in middle america. >> moderator: mr. boustany. >> boustany: first the judicial records so far have been ruled in favor of the state and second this week on the second amendment rights but for those two reasons i would say no to the nomination. make sure whoever is nominated respects the constitution and understands the separation of power and understands the legislative branch makes law and

the judges have to adjudicate and not create law. that is vitally important and second i want a pro-life judge. i deeply believe in the pro-life cause of the position who's dealt with life and death issues and second amendment is critic critical. those are some of the key things i would look at in the next candidate to be on the same court o where the judicial appointment for that matter we lost a wonderful justice in justice scalia. he stood up for the first amendment and the second amendment and that would be essential as a u.s. senator i

would only vote to confirm someone that upholds the constitution in full and doesn't try to change it or morph it in any way. and not someone that would take away our gun rights at all. i can't vote for president obama's nominee. i think the judge that is an activist judge we should find better qualified people. i've had the honor of teaching at wall school and the owner of being a substitute teacher in the public schools and whether i'm teaching wall school students we have the branches of government the legislature is supposed to make the wall.

the president is supposed to execute the law and the judges are supposed to uncover. they are not supposed to make the wall were execute the law. i want judges that will interpret in good faith to strict constructionist who are not trying to promote a liberal activist agenda. >> fayard: i don't know him and it's because the senate hasn't done their job. they have a responsibility to provide advice and consent to all nominees with republicans and democrats alike have been wrong on this issue, the country is at a standstill. the court stressed. you have to take a page and do

your job. we have to hold hearings. that's why we have hearings to get to know the heart and character of the nominees but they haven't worked in the past based on the history of the court. first and foremost, safety and security of the country that is the job of the government whatever branch is it you need to look for the journalists that are going to apply the law and not legislate from the bench we only have 30 seconds for responses. they replaced no child left behind and have fewer mandates, but there's still some requirements for the testing and mesh measuring progress. is this consistent or inconsistent.

>> moderator: mr. boustany. >> boustany: if the move in the right direction from no child left behind but there's still question mandates that federal standards being imposed on the vocals of the system. let me tell you what i believe. i believe standards should be at the highest level possible except locally by parents working with teachers and principals and school systems. that is the best way to have accountability in the k-12 education. >> moderator: mr. fleming. >> fleming: i'm surprised to hear mr. boustany dismissed no child left behind. i voted against that. i think the federal government other than funding has no role whatsoever in the local school choice. the last thing we need is more

mandates coming out telling you how to teach your children. >> i'm glad we have a question about education. i believe in the life-changing power of education and i think no parents should have to send their child to a failing school. i support our public schools and home schools and finding out which of the teachers can teach and pay them like the professionals they are and i also support higher standards. we are capable of developing standards for ourselves. >> fayard: quality education some run on the platform to abolish the department of education which i find ironic given the fact that we are next to last on every educational category if not last. if anything we need to work in partnership and make sure they are adequately funded.

the government invests more than the state government on how your education right now and in louisiana the students will continue to fall behind in the tops program and to prioritized and make sure that there are standards and accountability from louisiana children. >> cambelle: i'm the only one that's here to improve on education that is an f. average. it didn't cost a penny. if the endowment fund that i created those into the classroom and it can't be spent for bricks and mortar it goes into the classroom instructions of the ideal way to help education put the money in the classroom.

>> moderator: now we are moving to the last round and it's time for the lightning round to answer questions with one-word responses and we begin with this question. which passed louisiana senator would you want to emulate in your service? >> kennedy: probably jobs. >> fayard: job growth. >> boustany: . >> moderator: who are you voting for president this year and we will just keep going down the line. >> donald trump. >> kennedy: donald trump. >> fayard: secretary clinton. >> cambelle: the democratic nominee. >> boustany: donald trump. >> moderator: what world leader do you most admire?

>> fleming: i would say netanyahu. >> kennedy: i would list theresa may, the new prime minister of the uk, chancellor merkel of germany and netanyahu. >> fayard: angela merkel. >> cambelle: without a question for frances. >> boustany: the president of argentina is changing the socialist economy to a market-based economy. it's earth shattering. >> moderator: this will require more than one word but a brief response so please. what are the top three charities that you gave to for the last year? >> fleming: i would include my church and other churches as well and several right to life organizations. >> kennedy: i'm a founding member of the northcross united methodist church.

i was raised presbyterian and we got married and compromised and i became a methodist so i've given most of my money to the northcross united methodist church, and i give money to a charity that my wife helped form to help homeless people. >> fayard: it would be the louisiana system that is a social organization as well as the new leaders council which is a training organization to encourage people. >> the rescue mission helped them of sleep and get something to eat at night. many churches all across. the wounded warriors program, we supported that over the years and also the community health clinic that recently there

something i was dedicated to and help with its founding. >> moderator: finally, if you are not in the runoff, who built in support? >> fleming: i will support the republican and republican is in the runoff. >> kennedy: the republican. >> fayard: i would likely support the democrats. >> cambelle: the same. >> boustany: i would support the republican. [laughter] that was very enlightening. we are now going to the closing statements. >> thank you for your answers on this. we now move to the closing statements and the remarks were chose by an earlier drawing and each candidate will have one minute for their responses in vivo begin with mr. kennedy. >> kennedy: i believe in god, i believe in protecting the unborn.

i believe in more freedom. i believe that america doesn't have a revenue problem. congress has a spending problem. i believe every member of the united states congress ought to be required to teach at least twice a year in the public school in the district. and i believe in one more thing. i believe that america's best days lie ahead but not if we keep going in the direction of the compliant united states congress has taken this country. our country was founded by geniuses but there were times that i thought it had been run by its just. i don't mean any disrespect but you can't fix stupid.

>> fleming: i think you can see there is a distinct difference here tonight. we have folks that have been democrats and ie and the trusted conservative and that's what i want to pursue. i came from nothing and i understand the economy. i served in the military in uniform and i've got to tell you it was such an honor and i was so proud to wear the uniform in the military and i've also been a physician for the number of years. i want to be your voice, but again i have left my american dream. i want to go to the senate and make sure that you can live your american dream. >> boustany: we had an interesting debate. the one question you have to ask yourself is do you trust to represent the state.

i was a heart surgeon trusted by my patients for many years. our next senator is going to be asked to make big decisions. what do we do about a failing economy and safeguard the values that are being questioned today. i ask for your trust and your vote on november 8. >> as the only one on the stage not being paid by all of you to be year it's been an honor to spend time with you. you've heard a lot from those that promise to make things better but they never do. this is what they want, they want a promotion, they want more of your tax dollars and to believe they will do what they haven't ever done before. they talk about themselves but they don't. here's what i want. i want equal pay for equal work and as an outsider i will fight

for pay to play corrupt politics and i know it's important that we provide affordable college education and good jobs for our youth. sadly the negative campaigning has become the norm is telling the truth is not. mr. campbell attacked my family and denigrates me as an independent woman. he claims that after 41 years in office the report shows he bought and paid for by all your grades go up. enough is enough. politics can be a dirty business but you can fix it not selecting the same insiders over and over again. i am not one of the good old boys. please honor me with your vote for the senate and let me go to work with you and your family. mr. campbell to close. >> cambelle: first i want to thank you for putting on this event and my wife and children for staying with me during this campaign. it's been hard work. i'm a former teacher, small business owner and a farmer. i want a better louisiana for all people and that's why i've

been in public service all my life. i've been endorsed because he knows i have the courage to fight and help bring things home to make louisiana a better state. after eight years, we have a lot of work to do. we need to bring our tax dollars to help people and raise the minimum wage to help our families and finally, we need equal pay for women. there is no wrong way to do the right thing. i released my tax returns. nobody up here has. you can see where my money goes and how much taxes they pay. i'm asking for you to vote for me simply because i want to be a voice of peopl the people like e in the past. i am a voice that the people, not the powerful. god bless you and the state of louisiana and the united states of america. i would appreciate your help. >> moderator: we would like to thank the candidate for their participation and the viewers at home. we think louisiana tech and the center for civic engagement and

public policy for hosting us. remember early voting begins october 25 and runs through across the country. >> we have to make this election season so please check out go vote.com for the polling locationlocations, sample ballod things about the precinct and other information. on behalf of the council for a better louisiana and broadcasting we would like to thank all of you for joining us tonight and hope you have a great evening. may we have a round of applause for everyone. thank you. [applause]