Thread by @BenWinslow

And we're off and running for the #UT2 debate between @RepChrisStewart, @KaelWeston and @freeutahns. Watch on @fox13 online. #utpol #utdebates

Q- What uniquely qualifies you to rep #UT2?

@KaelWeston talks about his work in wars.

He says this election is a referendum on Trump and revisits @RepChrisStewart's "Our Moussoulini" and accuses him of collaborating. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns gives his CV and says "certain firms launder the oligarchy's propaganda" and says there's a choice between "Imperialist Party A and Imperialist Party B."

This debate is SPICY already. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@RepChrisStewart says he's qualified to represent #UT2 and he's a conservative.

"I believe socialism is a bad idea. You have a right to protest, but you don't have a right to riot..." he says.

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

Q on #COVID19 and the feds' role to play in the pandemic?

@freeutahns says the feds do NOT have a role to play in this area.

He says the spread is "a tragedy of the commons." @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

"I just disagree," @RepChrisStewart says to @freeutahns.

He says the feds do have a role and says President Trump did act (including the China travel ban).

He says "Operation Warp Speed" is an example of a success story. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

There are things they could have done better, @RepChrisStewart says.

@KaelWeston disagrees with both of them.

"How many Americans didn't need to die?" he says. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

"They played games with our health," @KaelWeston says.

@freeutahns says Libertarian perspective is that prohibition is more harmful, it's better to be punished by the outcomes of exposure than prohibition. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

"You can't have it both ways," @RepChrisStewart says.

@KaelWeston says he's a "non-fiction writer and I believe in telling the truth. The White House is a superspreader location."

This debate is SPICY! @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@SUUtbirds student ? on another stimulus.

@RepChrisStewart says initial relief was essential, but now they have to deal with economic impact.

"I would. We need to have additional stimulus..." he says, outlining criteria like hardest hit, schools, etc. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@KaelWeston says he got the payment, says Stewart voted against the last (Democratic bill).

"We are very close to having serious economic repercussions if this relief is held up by politics," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns says the approach is "kicking the can down the road."

He says they're ordering up "another round of hair of the dog... but the more rounds we order up, the worse the hangover."

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@RepChrisStewart says he agrees with @freeutahns about debt issues.

@KaelWeston calls the White House is a "superspreader location" but what about the protests across the country, Stewart counters.

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns says it's not his money to give and he can't be "the candyman."

He worries about debt and "spending ourselves into oblivion."

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

Q on climate and compacts?

@KaelWeston says he'd sign a compact and there's good models to pursue.

@freeutahns says he hasn't seen it, wouldn't sign without studying.

@RepChrisStewart says he'll look at it, so long as it's not like Green New Deal. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

"While we want to support alternative forms of energy, we're just not ready yet," @RepChrisStewart says, describing himself as "all of the above when it comes to energy."

What will you do on climate? @freeutahns says feds are a major polluter. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns says he opposes a federal "heat agency."

@RepChrisStewart says he's cut red tape to make it easier for alternative sources of energy on public lands.

Some ideas are bad ideas, he says, rejecting "compulsion." @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@KaelWeston says they need to get back into the Paris agreement, supports tax incentives or penalties for polluters.

@RepChrisStewart defends his record on energy, challenges Weston for going after him on taking PAC $$. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns says the #utleg has engaged in "corporate welfare" for the Oakland coal port which is "picking winners and losers" which he doesn't support.

@KaelWeston goes back to PACs (and says Latham hasn't filed). @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

This turned into a big exchange on PACs between all three candidates.

@freeutahns says he's got less than $5,000 so he's not obligated to file "so a bureaucrat can hug it."

"THANK YOU MR. LATHAM," moderator Pat Jones says, ending it. #utpol #utdebates

Q on health care and ACA? Would you repeal?

@RepChrisStewart says he has every single time, but always supported the plan to replace.

He accuses the media of being "just lazy on this." Their plan did have grants to states for coverage. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

"I'm on Obamacare," @RepChrisStewart says, adding Congress requires it, so he knows "how bad it is."

He says there's things they can do to drive down costs.

@KaelWeston says majority of Utahns would trade their healthcare for what Congress has. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@KaelWeston says people can go bankrupt and Democrats fight for "more health care, not try to take it away."

Weston criticizes Stewart's record on ACA and says they "pretend like they're for pre-existing conditions." @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns says he doesn't want to overthrow government, "I want to overgrow government" and he wants "a wide range of choices" and seeks to "liberate health care."

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@RepChrisStewart turns to go back to Weston on "Obamacare."

He insists he does not want to get rid of pre-existing conditions.

Weston says Stewart isn't sweating like others are on health care. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@laddegan on Stewart's plan for new national park?

@freeutahns says "the short answer is no." He says Utah should manage it.

@RepChrisStewart says this land deserves protections, has local input. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@KaelWeston says people oppose it because "it's a bad idea and it's unwise policy."

"These national lands cannot be handed over to county commissioners," he says, saying some areas aren't protected. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@SUUtbirds student asks about @USPS and ongoing rural funding?

@RepChrisStewart says he has fought for funding "the entire time" and he'll keep fighting for rural areas getting postal service. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@KaelWeston says Stewart didn't show up to vote on that.

He says he's been driving rural Utah and seen post offices being impacted.

@freeutahns says "we need to separate state/postal delivery."
@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

I ask what specific policies they like from the opposing party? @KaelWeston says there are some good policies (like NATO).

@freeutahns says he likes the End Qualified Immunity Act, Fair Representation Act. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@RepChrisStewart invokes his own #LGBTQ legislation to deal with religious community.

He cites his own 988 legislation and wild horse bills.

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@GlenMillsABC4 asks about court packing!

@freeutahns says he doesn't support it. @RepChrisStewart is a hard NO, says "even suggesting it is nuts." @KaelWeston says will of Americans needs to be respected. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

"This election is a real choice," @KaelWeston says beginning his closing statement. "A better future I believe is possible in January."

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@freeutahns says "government is a protection racket."

He says don't contribute to "the D and R's Hunger Games."

He urges a vote for Libertarians. @fox13 #utpol #utdebates

.@RepChrisStewart says he and @KaelWeston agree on something: "This is an incredibly important election."

He says you can keep climbing the mountain with conservative policies "or take a hard left turn and walk off that cliff."

@fox13 #utpol #utdebates

Debate over. I'll have a recap on @fox13 @ 9.

#utpol #utdebates