Two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, another candidate's son, and one candidate for the U.S. House spoke here Saturday to about 60 Democrats from around this region.

They participated in a two-hour question and answer session that Marion Light, chairman of the Northeast Democrats, pointed out was not a debate.

The event was hosted jointly by Northeast Democrats and the Greene County Democratic Party, at the Comfort Inn.

County Chairman Jack West welcomed the crowd and introduced Light.

U.S. Senate candidates Bob Tuke, a Nashville attorney and former state party chairman; and Bob Eaton, a Nashville car dealer, are each seeking the U.S. Senate seat now held by U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who is running for reelection.

Also participating was Mark Padgett, son of former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett, another Democratic candidate for the Senate. Mike Padgett was speaking in Memphis.

They shared the spotlight with Rob Russell, a Kingsport educator who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 1st Congressional District seat now held by Republican David Davis, of Johnson City.

Light posed all the questions, which he said he had written himself.

Kenneth Eaton, a Nashville car dealer and investor, said he has been a businessman for 32 years. Eaton said lobbyists have too much say in writing America's laws, and promised to bring a business approach to the U.S. Senate if elected.

"For the last 14 years, Tennessee has been a Republican state," Eaton said, adding, "This will be our year."

Tuke began his remarks by noting that state Rep. Eddie Yokley, D-11th, of Greene County, who was in the audience, "has endorsed me and is helping me."

Tuke noted that he is a former Marine officer, said he had started the day by hiking in Paint Creek, adding that segment to his "march across Tennessee."

Tuke also attended what he called a "heartwarming" veterans appreciation day event held Saturday by the Greene County Democratic Women.

Tuke said this is the year to "throw off all the Bush remnants" in government, "including Lamar Alexander."

Russell, originally from Morristown but now living in Kingsport, is a teacher and administrator at East Tennessee State University. Light introduced Russell by saying he is "running for Congress for the First Congressional District, David Davis' seat."

Noting the traditional strength of the Republican party in the First District, Russell quipped that his slogan might well be "130 years is enough."

Light asked all the candidates variations on the theme of "Why is the economy so bad?"

Russell said poor planning and "poor policy-making" are inevitable "when the obstructionist party gets the reins" of government.

Eaton said the primary cause of weakness in the U.S. economy is the cost of oil, which has caused high gasoline prices, Eaton said, and forced jobs overseas.

The crisis in the housing market, Eaton said, is due to "the (Bush) administration and Congress not keeping an eye on the financing of homes."

Eaton said Sen. Alexander has supported a bill that would help investors buy foreclosed houses. The bill is good for investors like Eaton himself, he said, but does not address the underlying problem.

Light asked Padgett if President Bush's economic stimulus package "has served its purpose in preventing a recession?"

Padgett said the stimulus package "was a great idea" but was too small to assist business owners.

He said he and his father would have preferred seeing the same money used to promote "green-collar jobs" such as the production of windmills or solar collecting panels.

Padgett said Senate candidates need to be careful not to simply say "Lamar Alexander's wrong; everybody knows that," but to offer solutions, because "our nation's always depended on Democrats to be leaders."

Tuke was asked about banking problems, and the recent bankruptcy of IndyMac Bank in San Diego.

Tuke said most of his career has involved representing banks, borrowers and small business. From that perspective, he said, he sees "a collosal failure on the part of the Bush administration" in not adequately regulating the banking industry."

Tuke said the subprime mortgage crisis has now spilled over into commercial banking, and is "not cyclical, it's caused by incompetance" on the part of government and bad management by the banks themselves.

Considering that, Tuke said, "It behooves us to have a senator -- me -- who understands this economy well."

Eaton said he had personal experience as a real-estate investor trying to buy a house that was put in foreclosure by IndyMac Bank.

Eaton said that when he made an offer on the house, the bank was owed a certain amount, but the bank was able to apply "fee upon fee" in addition to a large "prepayment penalty."

By the time the house was cleared for sale, Eaton said, the amount owed to the bank had almost doubled, though an offer was on the table the whole time.

"Prepayment penalties need to be illegal," Eaton said, noting that he believes the Senate is working on a bill to that effect."

Light asked all of the candidates "the key factor" that will be seen when the U.S. economy "slips from recession into depression."

Russell said he did not know of "any one thing" that would indicate that.

Tuke said the economy faces "three or four pressure points," including Medicare costs and energy costs, that could trigger worse problems for the economy.

Light asked Eaton the "key factor" question as well. Eaton said he did not live during the Great Depression, and added, "I don't think we're going to hit depression days." Eaton said he believes the economy is in recession, and things will "get a little worse." A lot of people will lose homes, and jobs, he said, but they will not go hungry, they will simply have to "not eat steak" as often.

The key, he said, is to elect a Democratic president and a Democratic majority in Congress.

Padgett was also asked the "key factor" leading to a depression question.

Padgett said that although he talks to many people who tell him their sales are down, most people still have jobs and are making what they made last year.

"We just need an upswing," he said. Padgett said energy prices are high largely because the dollar is so weak.

"We may not be through the worst of it yet," Padgett said of the economy, "but so many things about this country are spectacular."
Padgett predicted a surge in consumer confidence that will turn the economy up "when Barack Obama wins" the presidency.

Light asked candidates their view of the Patriot Act, which expands the authority of U.S. law enforcement agencies for the stated purpose of fighting terrorism in the United States and abroad.

The new law increases the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone, e-mail communications, medical, financial and other records; eases restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States; expands the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to regulate financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign individuals and entities; and enhances the discretion of law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants suspected of terrorism-related acts.

Answers indicated that all of the candidates consider the Patriot Act an infringement of civil liberties. Eaton said most in law enforcement are good people, but the act could be misused.

Tuke said "the capacity of the U.S. government is limitless when it comes to technology," and given that capacity, "we need laws to protect us" and preserve basic privacy.

Each speaker was asked slightly different questions related to climate change. Tuke said "every single responsible authority says this is a crisis."

He said Oak Ridge National Laboratories is conducting the largest energy study in the country.

Eaton was asked if Sen. Alexander is right in saying that hydrogen cells for autos are still a decade away, considering recent advertising by Honda and BMW.

Eaton replied that it is important to listen carefully to the ads, which are for test vehicles only available in small quantities in certain places. Cars that get upwards of 30 miles per gallon are available now, and will help, but hydrogen cell vehicles are "five to eight, maybe 10" years away.

Russell said he would like to have a hydrogen vehicle for his daily commute from Kingsport to Johnson City, but noted that hydrogen vehicles would require a network of fueling stations that does not now exist.

"There is no magic bullet to help us reverse climate change," Russell said. "We need to try as many things as possible."

Padgett said there are many areas of disagreement about climate change. He said his father will seek to find issues about which there is much agreement and work on them, as Gov. Phil Bredesen has been able to do on other controversies.

All the speakers were asked what effect the war in Iraq has had on Tennesseans.

Tuke said a higher percentage of Tennesseans are serving, and both they and their families are affected.

Eaton said high gasoline and oil prices, which he said are a result of the war, are affecting everyone. "I don't know how Tennessee could be affected more than other states."

Russell said he has had "two close friends" deployed and they and their families bore "the personal cost," though both returned unharmed.

Russell also said the war has undermined faith in government, and diverted money that could have boosted the economy and cured serious problems at home.

Padgett said the war has affected Tennesseans physically, emotionally and economically.

At the end of the meeting, one man seated on the second row asked for time. The man turned out to be Leonard "Lenny" Ladner, a Democratic candidate who is also on the ballot for the Senate nomination.

Light declined to give Ladner time, not even 10 seconds, so Ladner began speaking anyway, in a loud, apparently agitated voice.

Ladner angrily asked Light why he, a candidate who spent $500 to travel to Greeneville, was not allowed to speak.

He then asked the candidates, "Why is it all your solutions" involve large amounts of spending and the growth of government?

He then asked Light "Why not let a working-class person speak?" Ladner is a long-haul truck driver.

Light answered, "I don't want to," without elaborating, causing Ladner to turn to the audience and say, "You all heard that."

Ladner then walked out of the meeting. Several in the audience said Ladner later apolgized to candidate Tuke in the parking lot.

After the meeting, Light told The Greeneville Sun that he decided not to include Ladner because polls showed him having little chance. Light also said others who had heard Ladner speak advised him against it.