Jason Plummer, Sheila Simon Debate On 'Chicago Tonight' (VIDEO)

After his painfully awkward appearance on "Chicago Tonight" in April, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Jason Plummer returned to the show Monday night to debate Democratic candidate Sheila Simon.

While he managed to get through the debate without "blanking," Plummer still had few answers for host Phil Ponce in terms of why he refuses to release his income tax returns and what the Brady Administration would do to fix the state's massive budget shortfall.

Almost immediately after the show began, Ponce grilled Plummer on his failure to disclose his taxes. Plummer maintained that it was a "privacy issue," but implied that he has paid an ample amount of taxes in the past five years.

Simon made sure to point out that she and her running mate, Governor Pat Quinn, made their taxes available for public viewing--and that not doing so implies that there is something to hide.

Other issues that came up during the appearance were free rides for senior citizens on public transit. Plummer said they should be stopped, since the state could no longer afford the program. Simon said the program should be looked into.

The two had different opinions on nearly every subject. Plummer said he thinks Illinois citizens should be allowed to carry concealed weapons and own assault weapons. Simon thinks both should be illegal.

Plummer actually strayed from his running mate Bill Brady on one issue: abortion.

When asked whether he felt a woman should be forced to carry a child that was conceived during rape or incest, Plummer said no. Brady opposes abortion in all cases.

In recent weeks, Brady made headlines for his position on Creationism. Brady believes schools should be able to teach the Biblical version of creation--rather than evolution--if they want to. When asked by Ponce whether he felt it was appropriate to teach Creationism in schools, Plummer said yes, but seemed confused or shy about his own position.

Ponce: Do you believe in Creationism? Yes or no.
Plummer: Uh...yes, I do.
Ponce: You believe that the world was created in six days and is 10,000 years old?
Plummer: My philosophical beliefs and my life is based on my faith and my faith is rooted in my Christian faith.

Ponce pressed the issue once more, and Plummer seemed agitated.

"My faith is my faith," he said. "But that that's not an issue voters are talking about."

Simon said she believes children should be taught science in schools.

Plummer went on to accuse Simon and Gov. Quinn of spreading misinformation and attacks.

"The only attacks I've made have been on -- they can't be on your record, because you don't have one -- but on your running mate's record," Simon said.

WATCH the debate here:

Comments

[kkemerait]

08:47 AM on 10/27/2010

Neither creationism not intelligent design can be considered a science by any reasonable definition of the term. It is not so much a church/state issue as it is one of appropriateness.

You wouldn't teach alchemy in our children's chemistry class, or astrology alongside astronomy. I certainly hope that you wouldn't let teachers accept "speaking in tongues" as fulfilling a foreign language requirement right along with Spanish, French, German and Latin, would you?

If you want to teach creationism in public schools then do so in a sociology, religions of the world or mythology class where it belongs. Our children need to learn good science, not be confused with religious ideologies parading as scientific opinion.

To teach creationism in science class is to do a disservice to our children and our future. Please don't let it happen.

Why creationism isn't science:

http://mainereason.blogspot.com/2010/10/is-creation-science-science.html
http://mainereason.blogspot.com/2010/09/teaching-creationism-in-schools.html

[ChiTownMike]

01:34 AM on 10/27/2010

For those Illinois voters who have not been paying attention, there is a separate item on the ballot this election regarding the amendment of the Illinois Consitution as it relates to impeachment of the chief executive of the state. Keep in mind, as you go to the polls and choose to vote "Yes" to this ballot initiative that you could, one day, inherit Mr. Plummer as governor!

I need a time out...my head hurts from that thought!!!

[VOTER]

04:43 PM on 10/26/2010

"My name is Jason and LIAR Kirk is my hero .....which is why I modeled my
campaign methods after his. Imagine my surprise when Kirk's Lies began
appearing in the press and then mine did too!
Anyway, my name is Jason. I'm a Republican hoping to be elected the next
Lt. Governor of Illinois and this is all I am going to say."

[ItAintNoRocketScience]

02:49 PM on 10/26/2010

"I've paid lots of income taxes. Really. Trust me. Elect me." Wake up people!

[GirlFriday123]

02:16 PM on 10/26/2010

So his faith is his faith, and if he has his way, it'll be the faith of every public school child, regardless of the faith of their parents.

[mamala4]

02:01 PM on 10/26/2010

So Plummer says that he doesn't have to show his tax return because he comes from the private sector...so IF he wins, next year he will have to disclose his tax return and then he won't be able to hide....

[kareemachan]

01:16 PM on 10/26/2010

This guy looks (and sounds like ) about 18 years old. I can much more clearly imagine him crushing empty beer cans with his forehead than I can see him holding a responsible political office.

[mamala4]

01:59 PM on 10/26/2010

And he speaks like a 12 year old...