INDIANAPOLIS — Former Sen. Dan Coats said during a Tuesday night debate that his experience in foreign policy set him apart from four others seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Coats once served on the Senate Intelligence Committee during his tenure in the Senate from 1989 to early 1999, and he was ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005.
"I have had to deal with foreign policy and national security on a day-to-day and hour-to-hour basis," Coats said.
Former Rep. John Hostettler said what made him stand out was a record of not compromising on his convictions during his time in Congress from 1995 to early 2007.
"I will do in Washington exactly what I say I will do," Hostettler said.
The other Republican candidates are state Sen. Marlin Stutzman of Howe, financial adviser Don Bates Jr. of Winchester and Fishers businessman Richard Behney.
The primary winner likely will face Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsworth in the November general election for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh.
The debate was sponsored by the Indiana Debate Commission and was televised live by public television station WFYI in Indianapolis. The commission estimated 40 radio and TV outlets across the state were carrying the debate live or via delayed coverage through a satellite feed.
The commission selected the questions of 10 Indiana residents for the debate. More than 90 questions were submitted and a commission committee selected those that would be asked.
Matthew Daley of Fishers asked the candidates what the topic of their first bill would be in the Senate.
Bates said he would seek legislation to extend the tax cuts passed under President George W. Bush beyond this year.
"If we do this it will inspire confidence that we are serious about rejuvenating our economy," he said.
Behney, a tea party organizer and activist, said he would seek to repeal the health care overhaul law recently enacted.
"It is an economy killer and a constitutional killer," he said.
Hostettler, Coats and Stutzman said they would seek to stop runaway government spending and work to eliminate the deficit.
All the candidates said they did not support the recent treaty between Russia and the U.S. to reduce their number of nuclear weapons. It must still be ratified by the legislatures of both countries.
They said it would send a wrong message to the nation's enemies.
"I think the foreign policy of this president is someone who has not had the experience and is going around the world apologizing to our enemies," Coats said. "I believe in peace through strength."
As for standing apart, Stutzman cited his tenure in the state Legislature, first in the House and now in the Senate.
"I understand the long arm of the federal government and how it affects our freedoms and our state," he said.
Behney noted his ties to the tea party movement, and said the other four candidates were acting if they were applying for a government job.
"We have had three who have been there and done that and one who has been nowhere and done little," he said. The "three" was an apparent reference to Coats, Hostettler and Stutzman — all of whom have served in public office — and the other was apparently aimed at Bates.
Bates said he was not a politician and as a businessman believed he had the best grasp on the fiscal crisis facing the country.
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