The jeers and applause of citizens filled a full house at the City Club of Eugene Sept. 10 during an initial debate between the candidates for the 4th congressional district: Democrat incumbent Peter DeFazio, Republican candidate Art Robinson and Pacific Green candidate Mike Beilstein.
Nearly 580 people packed into the Eugene Hilton Ballroom, many of whom seemed to have already decided which candidate they were supporting, with cheers and boos sounding alternately as the two major party candidates traded verbal barbs.
The event was put together by the DeFazio campaign, and is the first of four planned forums throughout the congressional district.
As the zeal of the audience suggested, the race between DeFazio and Robinson has been a contentious one.
Incumbent DeFazio has defended his seat in a politically polarized district for 13 consecutive terms. During this 24-year span, the 63-year-old representative has successfully portrayed himself as an independent player in Washington who is not afraid to buck his party leadership, while maintaining the benefit of substantial fiscal support from the Democratic National Committee.
DeFazio is considered by many to be a shoo-in for the house seat.
Robinson, a political newcomer, comes from an academic background, having taught chemistry at UC San Diego in the 1970s. Since leaving academia, he has focused on independent research. The 68-year-old Cave Junction resident has gained notoriety for his unorthodox positions on education and energy, as well as his anti-government rhetoric, which has garnered him support with conservatives.
Beilstein, a city counselor in Corvallis, portrayed himself as the anti-military alternative to the status-quo candidate.
Beilstein admitted he didn’t believe he could win, but that he hoped a third voice would help shape the political discourse in the district, which includes Eugene and Springfield.
During the forum, the candidates were allotted two-minute responses, reducing the candidates to broad allusions in describing their political stances, without much in the way of specifics.
Robinson made repeated challenges for an outside debate with DeFazio.
Robinson has authored four letters challenging DeFazio to debates over the last several months.
“(A debate) allows more time to present evidence and present reasoned arguments,” Robinson said in an interview with the Emerald  in June. “These little forums have become popular with  politicians in recent times. They’re just a little light on content.”
DeFazio characterized Robinson’s challenges to an outside debate as a diversionary tactic.
“We’re at a debate … I want to talk about your ideas:  abolishing public education, your ideas to do away with all taxes and all regulation on BP, Exxon Mobile and other energy companies, your opposition to the reform of Wall Street,” DeFazio said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to discuss those things and have you account for the things you’ve said over the last 20 years.”
Throughout his campaign, Robinson has maintained that human-caused global warming is a hoax. He is a  fervent supporter of nuclear energy and believes the health-care reform bill passed last year is unconstitutional and a form of socialism.
“They want to turn us into a socialist state where the government controls everything we do,” he said.
His defense of these positions incited passion from liberals and conservatives alike.
DeFazio aggressively defended his career, arguing that he has not shied away from combative decisions in his 24 years in office, citing his opposition to the federal stimulus bill last year. He also defended his vote for the health-care reform bill, sharing a story about a man he met who would have to use the majority of his unemployment check to pay for his wife’s health care bills.
The zeal of the audience turned to rowdiness as the debate proceeded, with shouts of “You’re right!” and “Baloney!” as the candidates spoke.
Azael Scheffler, an undeclared Lane Community College student leaning toward Robinson, was one audience member who wanted to hear more from the candidates.
“Is it just me, or shouldn’t candidates take the extra time to explain their ideas to the voters? ” Scheffler said. “That’s what I’m liking about Art, is that he’s willing to back up his ideas.”
The next debate between candidates for Oregon’s 4th congressional district will be Sept. 20 at First Congressional Church, 4515 SW West Hills Road in Corvallis, pending Robinson’s acceptance. The event will be sponsored by the Corvallis Gazette-Times and will begin at 7 p.m.
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