EMERSON CHALLENGED TO DEBATE

Democratic congressional candidate Tony Heckemeyer on Wednesday challenged U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson to debate him on the issues.

Emerson campaign manager Atalie Ebersole said later that the Cape Girardeau Republican would be willing to discuss the issues with "our eventual opponent" at informational forums this fall.

"Once the August Democratic primary chooses the Democratic nominee, we will be more than happy to discuss our vision for the 8th District," Ebersole said.

Heckemeyer, of Sikeston, a former Scott County circuit judge, is one of three Democratic candidates for the 8th District congressional seat. The others are Richard Kline of Gipsey, who ran as a Republican two years ago; and perennial candidate and former music store owner Thad Bullock of Cape Girardeau.

Ebersole said the Emerson camp hopes that Heckemeyer will discuss the issues with Kline and Bullock at informational forums in advance of the August primary. But Heckemeyer campaign manager Michael Sargeant said any meaningful forum on the issues should include Emerson.

Heckemeyer hasn't talked about his two Democratic opponents. He has focused his attention solely on Emerson.

The winner of the August primary will face Emerson in the November election. Emerson is seeking re-election to a second term.

Heckemeyer issued the debate challenge at a news conference on the steps of Common Pleas Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Later in the day he sent a letter to Emerson calling for debates.

Said Heckemeyer: "I suggest that we debate in every county in our district. Every voter in our district should be able to travel a short distance to hear us debate if they choose."

At the news conference, Emerson accused Emerson of flip flopping on the issues.

"One day she gloats about helping write the budget-busting transportation bill, and the next day she votes against it," he said. "One day she says Social Security is in good shape, and the next day she says Social Security is a problem.

"She's a politician, but she can't have it both ways. She can't take credit for a highway bill she voted against. She can't scare seniors one week and pacify them the next," he said.

Emerson voted against the federal highway bill over objections to cuts in federal funding for veterans' programs.

Heckemeyer said he would have voted against the highway bill because it exceeded the balanced-budget agreement by $22 billion.

Heckemeyer said he wants to use the budget surplus strictly to shore up Social Security. In a press release, he said Emerson doesn't support such a move.

But the Emerson campaign said the press release didn't accurately reflect the congresswoman's position.

In a recent letter to a constituent, Emerson said the surplus -- calculated at $140 billion over the next five years -- should be used to pay down the nation's $5.5 trillion debt.

"By paying down the debt we are actually putting money back into the Social Security Trust Fund," she wrote.

Emerson said she co-sponsored a bill that would create a new treasury account that would "wall off" budget surpluses so they couldn't be spent until Social Security finances are addressed.