Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 3, 2006 12:20:56 GMT -5
Races in N.J., nation head for homestretch
Smith, in House for 25 years, faces 2 rivals
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/3/06
BY JOHN VANDIVER
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
Two years ago, Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., was pushed out as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs after engaging in a political standoff with leaders from his own party.
Smith was demanding more funding for health care for veterans, and GOP leaders wanted him to back off. Smith, a self-described moderate conservative, didn't.
"I'm a team player. I'm faithful to the party. But independent-thinking," said Smith, who says that independent spirit is one of the reasons he should be returned to Washington in the Nov. 7 election for another term in Congress.
Two challengers, however, in the race for the 4th Congressional District seat, say otherwise.
Carol Gay, a retired labor organizer from Brick, has been knocking on doors and handing out fliers at bus stops in an effort to build name recognition.
"His name is known, and mine is not. That's the main challenge," Gay said. "'I'm gaining momentum."
Meanwhile, a third candidate in the race says an independent voice is needed in Washington.
"I believe it is necessary for a person like me, without ties to special interests to get in there," said Louis B. Wary Jr., a 70-year-old from Brick who has previously sought office in the state Senate and Assembly.
Gay says Republican economic policies have resulted in "the largest deficit in the history of the country" and that Smith is part of the problem.
Gay also is critical of Smith's vote that empowered President Bush to invade Iraq.
"We shouldn't have been there in the first place. The cost of the war, in lives and tax dollars, is unconscionable," Gay said.
Smith said his vote was based on a widely held belief that Iraq was in possession of weapons of mass destruction.
"I do believe we need to get our men and women out of there as soon as humanly possible," said Smith, who went on to say that post-invasion efforts to secure Baghdad have been an "unmitigated disaster" and that "more flexibility" is needed.
Wary takes a more unconventional position on the war.
Pull out the troops, give "the good people time to leave," then send in the bombers, Wary said.
"Wipe it out once and for all," he said.
Gay says more resources should be dedicated to domestic concerns, such as a universal health care system. Ending the fight in Iraq would save billions of dollars, she said.
"People are concerned about the lack of leadership," Gay said.
Smith, who has written a wide range of legislation on issues such as the fight against human trafficking, autism and funding for veterans programs, says universal health care would result in sizable tax increases. Smith said Medicare reform has brought improvements to the system, although more needs to be done.
Meanwhile, Wary's plan to cut down on health care costs is to get rid of bad doctors. A doctor with a history of malpractice troubles should have his license stripped, he says. That would mean fewer lawsuits and cheaper insurance, Wary said.
Wary also wants a better accounting of foreign aid, which he says ends up in the wrong hands. Until a true accounting, "All foreign aid must be withheld immediately," he said.
As for illegal immigration, Wary is calling for the "immediate deportation of illegal aliens."
Smith said he supports tighter security on the border and would support legislation that requires employers to ascertain whether the people they hire are in the country lawfully. Doing so would cut off the jobs and the incentive for coming to the country illegally, he said. Gay, a former teacher in Georgia who moved to New Jersey in 1972, wants to see an easier pathway toward citizenship. There should be a way to help the workers, Gay said.
Smith, in House for 25 years, faces 2 rivals
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/3/06
BY JOHN VANDIVER
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
Two years ago, Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., was pushed out as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs after engaging in a political standoff with leaders from his own party.
Smith was demanding more funding for health care for veterans, and GOP leaders wanted him to back off. Smith, a self-described moderate conservative, didn't.
"I'm a team player. I'm faithful to the party. But independent-thinking," said Smith, who says that independent spirit is one of the reasons he should be returned to Washington in the Nov. 7 election for another term in Congress.
Two challengers, however, in the race for the 4th Congressional District seat, say otherwise.
Carol Gay, a retired labor organizer from Brick, has been knocking on doors and handing out fliers at bus stops in an effort to build name recognition.
"His name is known, and mine is not. That's the main challenge," Gay said. "'I'm gaining momentum."
Meanwhile, a third candidate in the race says an independent voice is needed in Washington.
"I believe it is necessary for a person like me, without ties to special interests to get in there," said Louis B. Wary Jr., a 70-year-old from Brick who has previously sought office in the state Senate and Assembly.
Gay says Republican economic policies have resulted in "the largest deficit in the history of the country" and that Smith is part of the problem.
Gay also is critical of Smith's vote that empowered President Bush to invade Iraq.
"We shouldn't have been there in the first place. The cost of the war, in lives and tax dollars, is unconscionable," Gay said.
Smith said his vote was based on a widely held belief that Iraq was in possession of weapons of mass destruction.
"I do believe we need to get our men and women out of there as soon as humanly possible," said Smith, who went on to say that post-invasion efforts to secure Baghdad have been an "unmitigated disaster" and that "more flexibility" is needed.
Wary takes a more unconventional position on the war.
Pull out the troops, give "the good people time to leave," then send in the bombers, Wary said.
"Wipe it out once and for all," he said.
Gay says more resources should be dedicated to domestic concerns, such as a universal health care system. Ending the fight in Iraq would save billions of dollars, she said.
"People are concerned about the lack of leadership," Gay said.
Smith, who has written a wide range of legislation on issues such as the fight against human trafficking, autism and funding for veterans programs, says universal health care would result in sizable tax increases. Smith said Medicare reform has brought improvements to the system, although more needs to be done.
Meanwhile, Wary's plan to cut down on health care costs is to get rid of bad doctors. A doctor with a history of malpractice troubles should have his license stripped, he says. That would mean fewer lawsuits and cheaper insurance, Wary said.
Wary also wants a better accounting of foreign aid, which he says ends up in the wrong hands. Until a true accounting, "All foreign aid must be withheld immediately," he said.
As for illegal immigration, Wary is calling for the "immediate deportation of illegal aliens."
Smith said he supports tighter security on the border and would support legislation that requires employers to ascertain whether the people they hire are in the country lawfully. Doing so would cut off the jobs and the incentive for coming to the country illegally, he said. Gay, a former teacher in Georgia who moved to New Jersey in 1972, wants to see an easier pathway toward citizenship. There should be a way to help the workers, Gay said.