REP. POSHARD, CHALLENGER WINTERS DEBATE

EFFINGHAM, Ill. -- Republican challenger Brent Winters presented an anti-tax stance during a debate with U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and accused Poshard of falsely presenting himself as conservative.

The Republican challenger for the 19th congressional district repeatedly criticized proposals that small businesses pay health insurance for their employees.

"Mandates that come down from the federal government are taxes," Winters said during Tuesday's debate. "Any time government confiscates money from private citizens, that's a tax."

Poshard said Winters' position was simplistic.

"The issues are tough in government, and they don't always have easy solutions. Anyone who suggests they do is simply wrong," Poshard said.

The debate was sponsored by a professional women's club. The 19th district encompasses 27 counties in Southern Illinois.