LA CROSSE, Wis. (WSAU) — While the Democratic Presidential debate was going on in Milwaukee, another state Democrat was watching Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton closely.
U.S. 3rd District Representative Ron Kind watched the Milwaukee debate from home, looking for how his party’s candidates would outline their plans on issues like the economy and job growth. “We’ve got to be focused on the economy, what it’s going to create as far as jobs, good paying jobs, and make sure we’re not leaving anyone behind in the process.”
Bernie Sanders easily won the vote in New Hampshire, yet Hillary Clinton received the same number of delegates with 24, due to Clinton getting the so-called “super delegates” from that state that are not bound by the vote. When asked about the super delegates issue, Kind says that’s how it has worked for many years. “You know, it’s been a part of the process now for many, many years, so all of the candidates going in know that that is part of getting all of the votes you need to secure the nomination.”
Kind is enjoying the fact that his party still has more than one candidate in the running, which is forcing them to talk about more issues. “Senator Sanders has shown he may have some staying power, which is good. I think this is what we need in our democracy is a lively debate about what the future of our country is going to look like.”
As far as the Republicans, Kind won’t speculate on the results. He does want to see a more positive message from the other side in the campaign. “It’s obviously up to them to determine who their nominee is going to be, but I’m hopeful that there will be a more hopeful, optimistic, forward-looking message coming from the Republican candidates, because I’ve been hearing a lot of doom and gloom, and fear mongering, dark clouds, and we’re in decline, and listen, there is not a nation in the world that I would switch places with.”
Kind says in America, “We have our challenges and there’s work to do.” He says the U.S. is, “doing laps around the world when it comes to what we’re accomplishing.”
The La Crosse Democrat wants to see the country take steps to have more security for people in retirement, and improve access to quality education. He’s currently promoting a bill that would both expand Pell grants and allow more flexible use of those dollars, and eliminate the federal block that prevents college students from refinancing student loan debt.
