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Here are highlights of the positions offered on key topics by Mary Bono Mack and Steve Pougnet during the debate:
FEDERAL STIMULUS:
Bono Mack: Stimulus has been expensive failure, less than 10 percent of money ended up in projects like construction of the control tower at Palm Springs International Airport. Money wasted on projects like Palm Springs welcome sign. "How many jobs did they create? I say none."
Pougnet: Economists and experts say passing the stimulus "was the right thing to do." In Palm Springs, money put 63 police officers on the streets and paid for the much-needed $14 million airport tower.
JOB CREATION
Pougnet: Pushed hotel tax incentive program to encourage reconstruction of hotels like the Hyatt, Riviera and Ace, generating $150 million worth of work. Envisions green business incubator with goal of incubating 50 jobs in five years - "the new economy."
Bono Mack: Cites failed Palm Springs projects like the Port Lawrence development and Hard Rock Hotel and the arrival of marijuana dispensaries to the city. Says government needs to get out of the way of entrepreneurs.
AFGHANISTAN
Pougnet: Blames President Bush for Iraq. Says he opposes a timeline for withdrawal of troops - supports withdrawing them by the end of the year.
Bono Mack: Criticizes President Obama's foreign policy, says there should be no dialogue with Iran, supports Afghanistan timeline proposed by Gen. David Petraeus. Says Pougnet's comments about withdrawal are offensive to soldiers and their families.
IMMIGRATION REFORM
Bono Mack: Expresses "frustration" over failure to protect border. Wants to make it easier for employers to identify illegals and advocates "a robust, non-amnesty guest worker program."
Pougnet: Cites large Latino population in district and charges Mono Back has "never really had a plan" for tackling illegal immigration. Does not support amnesty, supports fines for employers who hire illegals.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Bono Mack: "I respect both sides of this issue," says it's a state issue that will ultimately be resolved in federal courts.
Pougnet: "I support the ruling" on Proposition 8.
MOSQUE NEAR GROUND ZERO
Pougnet: President Obama is correct to take a stand, though stressed that the issue is one of local land use and says he would not support construction of mosque because of heavy traffic and other "hazards" in the area.
Bono Mack: "He would vote against the mosque because of the traffic?" She continues: "The American people are still hurting deeply over 9/11 ... I'm fully against this mosque and it has nothing to do with traffic it has everything to do with the psyche of the American people."
JUST A RUBBER STAMP?
Pougnet: Doesn't support the president on Afghanistan because there's "no clear strategy" and should start bringing people home now. "It is not winnable."
Bono Mack: Pougnet's position shows he's "farther to the left" than Obama. "You are so wrong on this," says his statements hurt the troops.
NO NATIONAL PROFILE?
Bono Mack: "A wise person told me it's much better to be a workhorse than a showhorse." Says she's busy being a consensus builder, helping constituents, doesn't "grandstand just to see myself on television."
Pougnet: Bono Mack rarely in the district attending to constituents.
CAP AND TRADE
Bono Mack: Affirms her vote in favor but talks more broadly about efforts to harness a "safe, secure supply of energy." Opposes California's AB32, says environmental law should be handled by Congress, not individual states.
Pougnet: Supports AB32, which would reduce greenhouse emissions. "You can go green without going in the red," he says several times.
RESIDENCY
Bono Mack: Dispute Pougnet's contention she isn't around: "The mayor and I move in different circles." Says people understand that she's married to someone from Florida but that her roots are in the district and that she knows the district better than Pougnet. "People don't buy this ... it's a bad campaign tactic," she says.
Pougnet: Questions how often Bono Mack is in the district. "You can't be in Florida and here and Washington, D.C. all the time."
