Conn. Senate Democrats face off at forum

MANSFIELD, Conn. (AP) - The three Democrats vying for Connecticut's open U.S. Senate seat pitched themselves to potential primary voters Thursday night as the best person to represent the middle class.

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and state Rep. William Tong each argued how it's wrong that middle class working people have been hit hard by the economic downturn while a few — the country's most wealthy — have prospered. All three said they understand the struggles of everyday Americans and have ideas to help them.

"I think in this economy, middle class working people, seniors, we're all underdogs right now. This is not a moment for frontrunners. We need to reclaim the American dream and the thing about that dream is, it's an underdog's dream," said Tong. The self-described underdog in the race touted his efforts to write state legislation to help struggling homeowners with mediation services so they can refinance their mortgages and stay in their homes. He said he'd like to pass similar legislation in Washington.

Bysiewicz called for re-imposing a transaction tax on securities transactions and using some of the revenue to help homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth. Murphy called for a more fair tax code that supports the middle class, while also voicing support for government investment in communities.

The three hope to ultimately fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Lieberman, who is retiring. While Murphy leads the pack in fundraising and has said he'd like to avoid a primary, both Bysiewicz and Tong plan to continue on to the Aug. 14 primary. Several Republicans, meanwhile, are vying for the GOP endorsement, including former wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who ran in 2010 for the U.S. Senate and lost to now-Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays.

Thursday's forum at the Mansfield Middle School, organized by the Mansfield Democratic Town Committee and The Quiet Corner Democrats, marked the first official Democratic event featuring all three candidates. The three appeared to agree on most of the issues.

When asked how they'd identify someone in the middle class, none would give a specific income range.

Bysiewicz said she considers the middle class to be "pretty much everybody except the wealthiest among us." She called for allowing the Bush-era tax cuts to expire and using some of the money to provide relief to the middle class.

Murphy said he didn't have a numerical figure to describe the middle class. Rather, he said they are people who worry what will happen financially if someone in their household loses a job or becomes seriously ill. Tong said he believes members of the middle class are people who have troubling hanging onto their jobs and homes, or who worry about the rising price of gasoline.

"I think you're middle class if you wake up in the morning and you've got a fight on your hands," he said.

All three voiced support for alternative and renewable energy, diverting federal funds from major agri-business to help small farmers like those in eastern Connecticut, and continuing to use diplomacy and sanctions to put pressure on Iran to stop proceeding with its nuclear program.

"Sanctions are working on Iran. We should let them work," said Murphy, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

None supported using military intervention to stop the violence in Syria.

Bysiewicz said the U.S. "should avoid military action with respect to Syria" and provide aid to rebel forces, "without putting troops in harm's way." Bysiewicz has called for a faster withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.