More on Walz & Gutknecht at Farmfest

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Gutknecht, Walz find common ground
Wed, Aug 2, 2006

By Matthew Stolle, The Post-Bulletin

REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. -- GOP Rep. Gil Gutknecht and his DFL challenger, Tim Walz, shared the stage for the first time in their race for the 1st Congressional District.

What emerged from Tuesday's 90-minute debate were two politicians with similar views on a host of agricultural and farm issues. Extending the 2002 farm bill? Both gave a thumbs up. Classifying manure as a hazardous waste? Dumb idea, both said.

Even the hot-button issue of the day -- the proposed Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railroad expansion -- generated little debate between the two. Both expressed support for it, although both said the concerns of Rochester and Mayo Clinic have to be addressed.

The forum was at FarmFest in this southwestern Minnesota community and nine candidates from the state's five rural state legislative districts met under a large white tent to discuss farm issues.

Gutknecht at one point chided Walz for expressing support for DM&E's expansion, even though Walz said last week that he opposed the $2.5 federal loan sought by railroad President Kevin Schieffer.

"He came to Rochester and said, essentially, he would try to kill the railroad. That wasn't what he said today," Gutknecht said after the debate.

Walz said he has always supported the project, but as a fiscal conservative could not support the loan. Asked whether the project was possible without the loan, Walz said, "that's what we need to find out."

Walz, a Mankato High School teacher turned politician, reiterated his criticism that Gutknecht should have done more to mediate a solution between DM&E and Rochester in the early stages of the controversy.

DM&E is proposing to upgrade and extend its rail line from Wyoming to the Mississippi River. Farmers support the idea because it offers a cheaper way to transport farm commodities to eastern markets. But Rochester and Mayo Clinic oppose it, contending that the increased train traffic will disrupt and harm the city.

For his part, Gutknecht said he would not be a "party to killing that railroad," although "I've taken a lot of arrows from some of our friends in Rochester."

At another time in the debate, Walz challenged Gutknecht on his vote in support of the budget reconciliation act in which 10 percent of the cuts fell on farm programs.

Gutknecht won his last election by more than 20 points, but with waging a war with no apparent end in sight and a president with approval ratings in the 30s, Democrats believe they have the best shot in years to dislodge the six-term incumbent.

Gutknecht agreed that this year would be challenging. But he questioned whether Democrats really have an agenda of their own other to say "we're not them."

Gutknecht called Walz a "very good candidate," but said he thought philosophical differences would begin to emerge during the course of the campaign.

Walz, for his part, said he was pleased with his panel performance. He pointed out that Gutknecht is a 12-year incumbent who sits on the House agricultural committee and "this is his strongest suit."

"I held my own here," he added, and as subjects turn to education and the military, he said his candidacy will only grow stronger.