Dennis Shulman for U.S. Congress: Sensible Leadership for New Jersey’s 5th District

October 25th, 2008

Saturday, October 25, 2008
By BILL WICHERT
The Express-Times

HACKETTSTOWN | The first question in a debate Friday between 5th Congressional District candidates centered on the economic crisis sweeping the nation, but Democratic candidate Dennis Shulman didn’t want to give an answer right away.

He had something to ask his opponent, incumbent U.S. Scott Garrett, R-Warren.

“Do you have no shame?” Shulman asked Garrett, criticizing a news release put out by the congressman’s campaign that Shulman said painted him as anti-American. “You cannot be that desperate to keep your job to make these kinds of accusations”

As he would say a few times over the next hour, Garrett said Shulman had avoided the initial question and was more interested in making attacks than in offering solutions to problems facing voters.

“Dennis and I both love America,” Garrett said into the microphone. “The issue is not whether or not either one of us loves America. The issue for the voters is what is our judgment on the issues.”

With their supporters waving signs outside along Route 46 West, Garrett and Shulman tangled over supporting the troops, helping out taxpayers and improving access to health care during Friday’s debate at radio station WRNJ-AM in Hackettstown.

Attacking the attacks

Arguing that Garrett has been referred to as a “right-wing extremist,” Shulman said his attacks were backed up by evidence, even citing specific bill numbers to criticize Garrett’s voting record. The three-term congressman said Shulman either didn’t know his complete record or was intentionally misleading listeners.

The two candidates questioned one another’s associations. Shulman implied that Garrett bases his votes on campaign contributions from oil companies, and Garrett said Shulman’s campaign manager is aligned with ACORN, a community organization under investigation for alleged voter registration fraud.

A Sussex County resident, Garrett noted his opposition to the recent $700 billion bailout package approved by Congress and said he remains against additional tax increases.

“My entire record in Congress has been opposed to tax increases, because nobody can convince me that what we need now is to raise taxes on families or small businesses,” Garrett said. “I think I have a clear record where it comes to taxes and fiscal spending.”

Veterans’ future debated

Shulman, of Bergen County, said he is going to Washington, D.C., to cut taxes and cut spending. Besides ending the Iraq war soon, reducing spending will come from ending subsidies for oil companies and pursuing companies that move their operations offshore, Shulman said.

Blind since age 18, Shulman said his “trademark issue” would be providing services for disabled veterans. He criticized Garrett for voting against veterans’ issues and noted that his opponent has received a zero rating from a disabled veterans group.

“That is not just a wrong voting record. That’s an immoral voting record,” Shulman said. “I will be someone that takes care of that sacred responsibility.”

Garrett defended his voting record, saying he has supported measures to provide medical treatment and educational benefits for veterans. The congressman said he opposed funding to set up permanent bases in Iraq, because he wants to bring the troops home.

“There’s nothing we shouldn’t be doing to take care of them,” Garrett said.

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