MAYORAL HOPEFULS DEFEND CIVIL LIBERTIES

As America continued its war on terror and launched an attack Wednesday on
Iraq, Madison's mayoral candidates vowed to stand up for domestic civil
liberties.

Dave Cieslewicz and Paul Soglin were asked about handling the USA Patriot
Act, which gives the government sweeping powers to fight terrorists, at a
crowded forum sponsored by the liberal political party Progressive Dane.

"If we have to delete library records on a daily basis, we will do that,"
Soglin said. "If it's necessary to delete health records, we will do that."

The consequences of such civil disobedience would be decided by the courts,
he said.

Cieslewicz called Wednesday's attacks "one of the lowest moments in U.S.
history," and said it "disrespects those who lost their lives in 9-11."

The candidates also debated development, transportation, housing, drug
policy, race relations and more during the lively, two-hour forum attended
by nearly 200 people, including a delegation of mayors visiting from Russia.

The forum was important because Cieslewicz and Soglin ran a dead heat in
the primary, each getting about 35 percent of the vote, and Progressive
Dane's endorsed candidate, Bert Zipperer, got 16 percent that's now up for
grabs.

It also kicks off a 24-hour period in which the candidates will participate
in five forums, including four today.

Although Cieslewicz and Soglin threw few hard jabs directly at one another,
differences emerged Wednesday night, especially during a series of
rapid-fire questions allowing only yes or no answers.

The candidates were asked if they favored:

* An $8 minimum wage? Cieslewicz yes; Soglin no.

* Local public financing of campaigns? Cieslewicz yes; Soglin refused to
give a one-word answer.

* Taking buses off State Street? Soglin no; Cieslewicz yes.

* A residency requirement for city employees? Soglin yes; Cieslewicz no.

* Use of pesticides in parks? Cieslewicz no; Soglin yes, at least for golf
courses.

* Legalized marijuana? Cieslewicz yes; Soglin yes, for medicinal purposes.

The election is April 1.