Atlanta, GA - The first televised debate between Michael Coles and Paul Coverdell provided the voters of Georgia with a revealing look at Paul Coverdell and his record in the U.S. Senate. Healthcare: Tonight, Coverdell admitted to voting against federal funding for Peachcare, a program sponsored by Governor Miller designed to give healthcare to 145,000 of Georgia’s children. Education: Paul Coverdell claims his record on helping young people “stands tall.” His record speaks otherwise: In his six years in the Senate, Paul Coverdell has not written or sponsored any legislation that has had any effect on any school, public or private, in the United States. Conversely, Coverdell has voted against the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Act, and against national standards for students and teachers while voting to cut $30 billion in financial aid to college students. Agriculture: Paul Coverdell claims to be “at the forefront” in helping farmers. His record speaks otherwise: In 1996, Paul Coverdell helped pass the “Freedom to Farm” bill which has already proven to be the most harmful farm legislation for Georgia in this century. The bill removed the safety net for farmers and replaced with an inadequate farm insurance scheme. As a result the Farm Bureau estimates that up to one-quarter of Georgia’s farmers could go out of business this year. Veterans: Paul Coverdell claims to be a voice for veterans in the United States Senate. Tonight, he admitted just the opposite: When confronted by Michael Coles about sacrificing veterans benefits to pay for highways, Coverdell admitted to robbing veterans of over 17 billion in veterans medical care by stating: “I wasn’t going to deny Georgia $2 billion of transportation funds.” “Apparently, Paul Coverdell seems to think that taking $17 billion away from Georgia’s greatest heroes in order to get $2 billion for highways is a fair trade,” stated Coles. # # # |
