The Express-Times: Democrat Dennis Shulman trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett for seat serving Warren County

October 30th, 2008

Thursday, October 30, 2008
By JESSICA COOMES
The Express-Times
WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, R-Warren, a conservative who prioritizes tax cuts, is running a contentious re-election campaign against political newcomer Dennis Shulman, a rabbi who paints himself as a problem solver.
As the Tuesday election approaches, political analysts are expecting a wave of Democratic gains in Congress, and polls show Barack Obama leading John McCain.
It’s unclear whether voters’ discontentment with Republicans and President Bush will be enough for Shulman, a Democrat, to unseat Garrett. The district prefers Republicans, and in 2006, when Democrats swept congressional elections nationwide, Garrett’s challenger earned just 44 percent of the vote.
Shulman, a psychologist, launched his first-ever campaign last year and has raised at least $900,000. That’s less than Garrett’s $1.3 million but nearly double what Garrett’s opponent in 2006, Paul Aronsohn, raised.
Shulman would be the first rabbi in Congress and the first blind member in decades.
Shulman said he’s a problem solver: “As a blind person, I’ve had to do that to function in the world. As a psychologist, one is dedicated to helping someone solve real-life problems. As a rabbi, as a community leader, you’re dealing with the same type of issues, how to address problems in the community or how to address spiritual problems.”
Garrett, who was a state lawmaker for 12 years, is consistently conservative, speaking against tax increases and wasteful spending. In recent months, Garrett appeared on dozens of national news shows regarding the economic crisis.
“I have been continuing to work to get our economy going again,” said Garrett, labeled a taxpayer hero by fiscal watchdog groups. “My focus has always been on strengthening the family budget. Just about the No. 1 issue is the economy and spending in Washington and the threat that is coming from the other side of the aisle for higher taxes.”
Garrett called Shulman’s policy ideas “grand schemes” that would increase spending.
Shulman said government unquestionably has an important role in regulating markets, providing disaster relief and maintaining Social Security, among other things.
The attacks
During the contentious race, Shulman created Web sites and ads criticizing Garrett on topics such as his anti-abortion position and personal property-tax breaks.
Garrett said he rebutted several falsehoods, including Shulman’s assertion that Garrett has not been responsive to the Ramapough Indians’ environmental concerns related to a Superfund site. Garrett said he refuted with 30 pages of documentation.
“It shouldn’t be about nonissues like that,” Garrett said. “It should be about issues that are important to the public, economic issues.”
In ads and mailers of his own, Garrett said Shulman would negotiate with terrorists. Shulman said he was most offended by a Garrett news release saying Shulman “lacks a commitment to the United States Constitution and our political heritage as a nation.”
“I have been proud to be an American and for him to claim I’m somehow anti-American boils my blood,” Shulman said.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/elections/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1225339569103850.xml&coll=3

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