Debate offers little detail
SARANAC LAKE — Matthew A. Doheny and Douglas L. Hoffman have talked often of reversing ballooning deficits and shrinking the size of the federal government when campaigning for the 23rd Congressional District seat.
But when pressed twice during a debate here Tuesday to pick a specific significant government program to cut first, the Republican candidates offered little detail.
Mr. Doheny, a Watertown portfolio manager, told the 80 gathered at the Harrietstown Town Hall that he'd oppose further bailouts and added that federal governments should stop piling on mandates. And although the Congressional Budget Office has said maintaining the Bush administration's tax cuts in the long term would hurt the economy, Mr. Doheny maintained that extending the cuts would help because it would provide certainty to businesses looking to add jobs.
Mr. Hoffman, a Saranac Lake accountant, also defended the Bush tax cuts, saying their planned expiration at year's end would be "devastating to the economy." To reduce spending, he again argued that eliminating earmarks and other unspecified discretionary spending could lead to smaller deficits.
Earmarks, which steer money to specific projects picked by members of Congress, account for about 1 percent of all federal spending.
He also advocated for an examination of all spending to find duplication and waste, although he did not say where he thought that bloat may be.
"When I get down in Congress, I'm not going to be alone," he said. "The Republicans already have a plan that's pretty well documented, pretty well fiscally conservative. I will have help in making decisions like that."
Both Mr. Doheny and Mr. Hoffman have said they would repeal the inheritance tax, protect Fort Drum and related defense spending, and not fundamentally change Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security for current beneficiaries.
Mr. Hoffman said Tuesday that farmers also need government subsidies to continue because of over-regulation, supply-and-demand issues, and outside forces, such as fluctuations in price caused by trading at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which handles commodities.
Together, Social Security, defense spending, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for 58.7 percent of Mr. Obama's proposed 2010 fiscal year spending.
Like last week's debate, the candidates found common ground on most issues, uniting in their support for the development of nuclear power plants and broadband communication in more rural Adirondack areas. Both opposed an environmental bill commonly called "cap and trade," which they claim could increase energy costs.
Mr. Hoffman has used Mr. Doheny's support of abortion rights to draw a distinction between the two candidates in stump speeches and fundraising appeals. But even on that issue, the two opponents sounded similar tones Tuesday.
"I never said I was going to become a congressman and make abortion illegal," said Mr. Hoffman, who has identified himself as anti-abortion. "That's for the courts to decide."
Mr. Doheny supports a pregnant woman's right to choose in the first trimester, but opposes federal funding for abortion and supports laws that would notify parents of teenagers seeking abortions. He agreed with Mr. Hoffman that the Supreme Court, not Congress, would decide the legality of abortion.
Mr. Doheny again portrayed himself as the candidate with the most resources — both financial and in on-ground support — to unseat Rep. William L. Owens. Mr. Hoffman reminded the crowd that Republicans have historically fared far better in New York with the support of the Conservative Party, which he has.
Mr. Doheny again criticized Mr. Hoffman for vowing to continue actively campaigning even if he does not win the GOP primary next Tuesday. Mr. Hoffman again questioned Mr. Doheny's conservative bona fides and implied that his opponent may have voted for the more moderate Republican Dierdre K. Scozzafava during last fall's special election.
"I stood up and fought for the conservative cause," said Mr. Hoffman, who finished second to Mr. Owens after sidelining Ms. Scozzafava last November. "Who did you vote for in the last election? I think that will tell us how conservative you really are."
Mr. Doheny said he voted last fall, but has declined to say which candidate he backed.
