Carbajal and Fareed get testy at Cal Poly debate

October 21, 2016

During a debate rife with personal attacks and leading questions, Democrat Salud Carbajal showed he does not intend to stop discussing Republican Justin Fareed’s supposed support for presidential candidate Donald Trump. Fareed revealed he cannot name anything about Carbajal which he admires.

On Thursday evening, KSBY anchor Carina Corral moderated the second televised debate between 24th District congressional candidates Carbajal and Fareed at Cal Poly’s Spanos theater.

In addition to posing questions about global warming, gun control and immigration reform, Corral asked the candidates whether or not they support women’s reproductive rights, “free” community college, marriage equality, unisex bathrooms in schools and transgender rights.

On Diablo Canyon — the primary San Luis Obispo County issue that was discussed — Fareed said the nuclear plant needs to be retrofitted and used as a desalination plant. Carbajal said it needs to be determined whether Diablo Canyon can be transformed into a regional desalination plant. However, that cost may fall on local ratepayers, Carbajal said.

At the end of the televised portion of the debate, Corral asked Carbajal and Fareed to name something each admires about the other candidate.

Carbajal praised Fareed’s confidence and desire to serve in Congress as a young man. Carbajal said that when he was Fareed’s age he had other priorities, like serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and raising a young family.

“Sounded like a whole lot of nonsense to me,” Fareed responded. “The answer is no I can’t,” he said when stating whether or not he could name something he admires about Carbajal.

Prior to posing the question, Corral said she was trying to conclude on a positive note. The debate then continued an additional half hour with KSBY livestreaming it online.

In a repeat of the first debate, Carbajal continually attacked Trump and accused Fareed of supporting him. Carbajal said multiple times that Fareed has been standing with Trump’s racism and misogyny. He also said Fareed is standing with a presidential candidate who condones Russia meddling in American elections.

Fareed said it is expedient for Carbajal to make their congressional campaign about the presidential race.

Carbajal and Fareed each accused the other of being a “puppet” of respective Republican and Democratic interests. The candidates did shake hands at the conclusion of the debate, though.