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MANASSAS, Va. — In Thursday’s night’s 1st Congressional District forum, Republican incumbent Rob Wittman put his knowledge and seven years of congressional experience on display to get across his conservative viewpoints.
The newcomer and challenger, Democrat Norm Mosher, said the event was his first public campaign forum, and it showed as Mosher stuck to a script of Democratic talking points.
The Prince William Committee of 100 held the candidates forum, which was also to include Independent Gail Parker who did not show. The event was moderated by Dr. Steven Farnsworth, Professor and Director of Center for Leadership and Media Studies at Mary Washington University.
Crisis in the Middle East
On the topic of how do deal with ISIS, the group calling itself the Islamic State, the opinions of the two candidates differed.
“ISIS must be destroyed,” said Wittman. “Extremisms, in all nations, it’s a chance to stand against this type of treachery that should be wiped out…the focus of these groups is to wipe out everyone who doesn’t believe in their narrow view of the Quran, and I know there are many in Islam that don’t believe in that.”
Mosher called on strengthening relationships with countries around Iraq and Syria, where the ISIS movement has taken a stronghold.
“We upset balance of Iraq when we invaded,” said Mosher. “I would like to see stronger role by Saudi Arabia and Qatar and a stronger relationship with Turkey and Egypt. What’s going on is just an extension of 1,400 years of religious warfare. We can’t put boots on the ground in that region without being seen as an occupier.”
Immigration
On the topic of children coming across U.S. borders illegally, and illegal immigrants who have been here for years, Mosher said deportation is not an option.
“There aren’t enough buses in the world to deport 12 to 14 million illegal’s who are here in our country. They’re here and they’re contributing to our culture,” said Mosher. “We should focus on a wall south of Mexico to stop countries from sending children here that we have to deal with.”
Wittman said a mix of physical barriers, and increased use of technology will do more to stop the flow of illegal immigrants across the U.S. southern border. He also called for tightening the visa program in the U.S., calling for increased enforcement and finding those who have overstayed their welcome.
Money
Questions turned to money, taxes, and to whether or not the national minimum wage should be raised, which currently sits at $7.25 per hour in Virginia and varies by state.
“Min wage should be wage. When you have companies making their labor plans with the assumption their employees will go on government assistance is shameful,” said Mosher, who suggested $10.10 per hour would be an acceptable minimum wage.
“When you look at information from the Congressional Budget Office, which found that if the minimum wage was raised, 1 million jobs would be lost. The real issue we need to address is finding the jobs people need to move into after leaving minimum wage jobs,” said Wittman, who also advocated for more career and technical education.
On corporate tax reform, Wittman said companies should pay less corporate taxes and should not be penalized for sending jobs over seas. Mosher fired back and said while the coporate tax rate may be 38%, only about 12% is actually being paid due to tax evasion.
“…you can’t change the tax code until all the loopholes are stopped so we actually know what were getting for national revenue,” he said.
Healthcare
On healthcare, Mosher is a strong supporter of Obamacare while Wittman said it has failed to launch. The two agreed, however, on two specifics of the Obamacare plan – allowing adults age 26 and under to remain on their parents healthcare plan, and for guanrateeing health coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.
Of the most important issues facing Virginia, Mosher said climate change is already affecting coastal towns in eastern Virginia in the 1st District, as well as impacting the coastal City of Norfolk.
Wittman said improving the road system so more businesses can get goods to market faster is key to bettering the region.
“Mass transit is part of the solution, but ask anyone that transacts business or delivers goods — they’ll tell you have to have roads and major corridors to get goods to market,” said Wittman.
Voters will have their say as to which candidate will represent them when they go to the polls Nov. 4.
