2nd Congressional District Debate Comments

In Tuesday's 2nd District congressional debate on AETN, U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder (Democrat) and Andy Mayberry (Republican) actively trading heated comments on gay marriage and abortion.

Mayberry said the marriage issue is a "defining difference" he has with Snyder. He said a federal amendment is needed because federal judges could strike down Arkansas' constitutional ban on gay marriage. Snyder said he disagreed with a 2004 proposal for a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage because states have traditionally handled marriage law. He said some gay people want to be able to pass job benefits to a partner. He advocated civil unions for gays.

Mayberry noted that Snyder voted against "indicting" Saddam Hussein and that he has an F rating from the National Rifle Association. Mayberry has an A rating by the NRA. Snyder said, "That vote in 1997 was not to indict Saddam Hussein. That was a vote to say he's a bad guy but we're not going to do anything about it." Snyder said he would not vote for anything that takes away weapons from "law-abiding" citizens.

On abortion, the candidates positions were at odds. Mayberry is "100 percent pro-life" and would like a "life at conception act" to prevent abortions. He criticized Snyder's vote against bans on partial-birth abortions. After warning parents to protect their children's ears, Mayberry described the practice of partial-birth abortion. 4,000 abortions occur each day. Snyder said there should be fewer abortions but that most medical decisions should be made between a patient and doctor. Snyder also voted against parental notification to take a their minor child across state lines for an abortion.

Mayberry is endorsed by the National and Arkansas Right to Life.
Snyder has the most liberal voting record of any Arkansas congressman. Snyder has a career grade of "F" in addressing immigration problems and even voted against securing our nation's borders and supports amnesty for illegal aliens.