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

October 25th, 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008
BY HERB JACKSON
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

Democratic candidate Dennis Shulman insisted that three-term Republican Rep. Scott Garrett repudiate a news release that questions whether Shulman supports the U.S. Constitution.

“What are you doing? You’re accusing me of being anti-American? How dare you? How dare you?” Shulman said at the start of a radio debate on WRNJ in Warren County.

“You cannot, truly you cannot be that desperate to keep your job to make these kinds of accusations,” he added.

Garrett, R-Wantage, countered that Shulman had ducked a question about the economy, and preferred a campaign of attacks to talking about issues and solutions.

“Look, Dennis and I both love America. Dennis and I both have profound respect for this country. The issue is not whether either one of us love America, the issue for the voters is: What are our solutions to the problems?” Garrett said.

The exchange was the latest flare-up in what has become an increasingly nasty race in a district that is usually safe for Republicans. A memo leaked this week from the House Republicans’ national fund-raising committee shows Garrett’s seat in a category described as “leaning Republican, [but] if there’s a wave, could be in trouble.”

Shulman’s television ads have accused Garrett of being corrupt and a tax cheat. Garrett responded this week with an ad that shows Shulman, a rabbi, on the same screen with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The ad calls Shulman an extremist who would negotiate with terrorists.

In Friday’s debate, Shulman was reacting to a news release Garrett issued that noted Shulman’s campaign manager had previously worked as a lobbyist for an immigration reform coalition whose members included ACORN, the community group that helped fund voter registration drives in which fraudulent registrations have been submitted.

“Individuals participating in the election process, especially those asking to be chosen as public servants, have an obligation to ensure the sanctity of our election process is preserved,” the Oct. 17 Garrett release concluded. “Associating with organizations like ACORN is a warning that Dennis Shulman lacks a commitment to the United States Constitution and to our political heritage as a nation.”

Shulman compared Garrett’s charge to that of Rep. MicheleCQ Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican whose suggestion during an MSNBC interview last week that some members of Congress should be investigated for having anti-American views led to a gusher of contributions for her opponent.

“I am offended and outraged that you would make that claim. It’s an indecent claim and saying that we both love America is not going to get you anywhere,” Shulman said.

Shulman said that other groups in the same immigration coalition his campaign manager represented included the Catholic and Methodist churches and Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

“I’ll be glad to denounce ACORN if you will denounce John McCain, the Catholic Church and the Methodist community. That is such a ridiculous smear,” Shulman said. “You want to do guilt by association. My accusations are at least about what you’ve done.”

Garrett said several times during the debate that Shulman was misleading voters about his voting record, and urged listeners to the debate to count how often Shulman made an attack. At one point, Shulman cited Garrett’s 0 percent rating from a disabled veterans’ group, and said as a blind person he considered helping disabled veterans a “moral vote.”

Garrett sighed and said, “Dennis, now calling people immoral. And you’re talking about attacks? OK.”

The debate comes a day after reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed Shulman remaining competitive with Garrett in fund-raising, something no other New Jersey challenger has done this year. Since the beginning of October, Garrett has raised $114,000 to Shulman’s $97,000.

Garrett had about $411,000 to Shulman’s $127,000 on Oct. 15, the most recent date available.

In his campaign attacks, Shulman has called Garrett unethical for taking money from the banks and other financial companies while serving on the House Financial Services Committee, and the Democrat promised if elected not to take money from interests he regulates.

Many of the House Democrats who support Shulman, however, also raise money from companies and groups whose issues are before committees they serve on.

Garrett sought to turn the issue back on Shulman in the debate, noting Shulman’s had received donations from labor unions that are trying to get Congress to make it easier to organize workplaces by eliminating the secret vote that must be taken.

Garrett asked Shulman if he would give back the unions’ money if that issue came up while he was in Congress. Shulman ducked the question, saying he was proud to be supported by carpenters and teachers.

E-mail: jackson@northjersey.com
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Democratic candidate Dennis Shulman insisted that three-term Republican Rep. Scott Garrett repudiate a news release that questions whether Shulman supports the U.S. Constitution.

“What are you doing? You’re accusing me of being anti-American? How dare you? How dare you?” Shulman said at the start of a radio debate on WRNJ in Warren County.

“You cannot, truly you cannot be that desperate to keep your job to make these kinds of accusations,” he added.

Garrett, R-Wantage, countered that Shulman had ducked a question about the economy, and preferred a campaign of attacks to talking about issues and solutions.

“Look, Dennis and I both love America. Dennis and I both have profound respect for this country. The issue is not whether either one of us love America, the issue for the voters is: What are our solutions to the problems?” Garrett said.

The exchange was the latest flare-up in what has become an increasingly nasty race in a district that is usually safe for Republicans. A memo leaked this week from the House Republicans’ national fund-raising committee shows Garrett’s seat in a category described as “leaning Republican, [but] if there’s a wave, could be in trouble.”

Shulman’s television ads have accused Garrett of being corrupt and a tax cheat. Garrett responded this week with an ad that shows Shulman, a rabbi, on the same screen with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The ad calls Shulman an extremist who would negotiate with terrorists.

In Friday’s debate, Shulman was reacting to a news release Garrett issued that noted Shulman’s campaign manager had previously worked as a lobbyist for an immigration reform coalition whose members included ACORN, the community group that helped fund voter registration drives in which fraudulent registrations have been submitted.

“Individuals participating in the election process, especially those asking to be chosen as public servants, have an obligation to ensure the sanctity of our election process is preserved,” the Oct. 17 Garrett release concluded. “Associating with organizations like ACORN is a warning that Dennis Shulman lacks a commitment to the United States Constitution and to our political heritage as a nation.”

Shulman compared Garrett’s charge to that of Rep. MicheleCQ Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican whose suggestion during an MSNBC interview last week that some members of Congress should be investigated for having anti-American views led to a gusher of contributions for her opponent.

“I am offended and outraged that you would make that claim. It’s an indecent claim and saying that we both love America is not going to get you anywhere,” Shulman said.

Shulman said that other groups in the same immigration coalition his campaign manager represented included the Catholic and Methodist churches and Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

“I’ll be glad to denounce ACORN if you will denounce John McCain, the Catholic Church and the Methodist community. That is such a ridiculous smear,” Shulman said. “You want to do guilt by association. My accusations are at least about what you’ve done.”

Garrett said several times during the debate that Shulman was misleading voters about his voting record, and urged listeners to the debate to count how often Shulman made an attack. At one point, Shulman cited Garrett’s 0 percent rating from a disabled veterans’ group, and said as a blind person he considered helping disabled veterans a “moral vote.”

Garrett sighed and said, “Dennis, now calling people immoral. And you’re talking about attacks? OK.”

The debate comes a day after reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed Shulman remaining competitive with Garrett in fund-raising, something no other New Jersey challenger has done this year. Since the beginning of October, Garrett has raised $114,000 to Shulman’s $97,000.

Garrett had about $411,000 to Shulman’s $127,000 on Oct. 15, the most recent date available.

In his campaign attacks, Shulman has called Garrett unethical for taking money from the banks and other financial companies while serving on the House Financial Services Committee, and the Democrat promised if elected not to take money from interests he regulates.

Many of the House Democrats who support Shulman, however, also raise money from companies and groups whose issues are before committees they serve on.

Garrett sought to turn the issue back on Shulman in the debate, noting Shulman’s had received donations from labor unions that are trying to get Congress to make it easier to organize workplaces by eliminating the secret vote that must be taken.

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