U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) and state Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill) met up for a televised debate at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in downtown Cincinnati, discussing the economy, immigration and taxes.

Driehaus is challenging Chabot in Ohio's 1st Congressional District.

The candidates responded to questions from a panel of journalists, as well as to questions submitted to WCPO.com.

Driehaus noted the various troubles facing the country in his opening statements, saying that the time has come to change Washington. Driehaus pointed to the Cincinnati Enquirer noting that both candidates are pro-life Catholics from Western Cincinnati who are fiscally conservative. Driehaus said that it's the differences that need to be addressed.

Driehaus drew lines on Social Security and housing, saying that Chabot supports privatization while he does not, and pointing to his work on the foreclosure issue, saying that Chabot has been silent until just recently.

Chabot opened his remarks by expressing his disappointment that write-in candidate Eric Wilson (I-Cinncinati) was not allowed to participate in the debate. Wilson protested outside the debate hall. WCPO made clear that it is its policy that only candidates on the ballot would be allowed to participate in the debate.

Chabot said that he casts his votes based on what he thinks are the best interests of the district and the country. Chabot touted what he called his record of bipartisanship and working across the aisle "on a whole range of issues."

Chabot said that Driehaus' claim that he voted to privatize Social Security was untrue. Chabot said that he's been in favor of saving Social Security, and pointed to legislation he authored that would require all money that goes into Social Security to be used only for Social Security.

The debate was sponsored by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, WVXU, the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, the Cincinnati USA Hispanic Chamber, League of Women Voters and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Immigration
When asked about proposals to address illegal immigration, Driehaus said he does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants and he does support making English the official language of both the state of Ohio and the nation. Driehaus said he believes in a broad immigration policy. He said that there needs to be a legalized way for workers to come into the country and recognized their role in the economy. Driehaus called for a comprehensive solution to the immigration question.

Chabot hit Driehaus on bipartisanship, citing his work as Ohio House minority whip, a position designed to get party members to vote along party lines.

Chabot said that he was a strong supporter of the border fence, and called the "Kennedy-McCain Amnesty Bill" a "huge mistake." Chabot said that Americans should be taken care of first. Chabot also hit Driehaus for authoring legislation urging support of the bill.

Driehaus said that Chabot knows he didn't support all aspect of the bill and said he was proud of his work as minority whip, working across party lines, to get stuff done. Driehaus said that good legislation was about bringing people together.

Taxes
When asked about the importance of keeping taxes low, Chabot said he had been called the community's "anti-tax crusader." Chabot said he believes that Americans send far too much of their money to Washington. Chabot said that government needs to make sure that the Bush tax cuts are made permanent. He hit Congressional Democrats for doing away with those tax cuts.

"The last thing we should do in these tough economic times is to raise people's taxes," Chabot said.
Driehaus said he had a record in the state legislature of opposing taxes, citing his stance against a sales tax increase supported by former Republican Gov. Bob Taft. He said that both he and Chabot were for lowering taxes, but he believes lower taxes should go to the middle-class, while he said Chabot supports the Bush tax policy which is "tax cuts for the wealthy and special carve-outs for special interests."

When asked where tax cuts could happen, Driehaus pointed to what the government could save on Medicaid by helping people stay in their homes longer by providing Hospice support. Driehaus said this alone could save hundreds of millions. Driehaus also called on getting rid of tax breaks for special interests through evaluation.

Chabot said this puts many valuable special needs at risk. He hit Driehaus, saying he proposed an internet sales tax and supported the removal of school tax levies from the purview of voters.

With regard to cutting spending to offset the loss in revenue when taxes are cut, Chabot pointed to his high ratings with groups in Washington monitoring spending. Chabot said that government must be much more fiscally prudent than they are currently. He also said that the President should have line-item veto power.

Driehaus pointed to his record of voting against tax increases and defended an internet sales-tax to protect small businesses.

Conclusion
Chabot touted his work in the district, saying he did all he can to represent the folks of Ohio's 1st.
"I try to keep in touch and even though I'm a pretty conservative Republican, I have an awful lot of Democrats and Independents who support me as well," Chabot said.

Driehaus reiterated his call for change.
"The congressman and I both drive Buicks," Driehaus said. "He drives an old one. Mine is just a little newer. It's okay to update the model."