CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ADDRESS ECONOMY, WAR, WILDFIRE AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING EAST COUNTY

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By Joseph Rocha

 

Duncan Hunter
Mike Lumpkin

October 28, 2008 (San Diego's East County) - For better or for worse, come November 4th, the 27-year stronghold on the 52nd Congressional seat will be released.  Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter is retiring.  Now, East County finds itself under siege in one of the hottest Congressional races of the season as two local military heroes step up to the podium,  each confident in their integrity and ability to lead--and battle for every vote.  As a veteran myself, I looked forward to interviewing, researching and attending a debate to learn more about two candidates with military experience vying to represent our region, as well as a third-party challenger.

 

View a video of the debate here:   http://www.copswiki.org/Common/M796

Scroll down for ECM's analysis of the debate...

“The challenges we face include a challenged economy, lack of energy security, educational problems, and new conflicts going on overseas,” said Democratic candidate Mike Lumpkin, who also cited a shrinking job base and unsecure border as key issues during a debate at Cuyamaca College.  A resident of Jamul, Lumpkin graduated from the University of California, San Diego and then joined the U. S. Navy. He served in the Navy SEALS for over two decades in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Lumpkin was the Deputy Commander of all special operations in Iraq and also served as the Defense Department’s liaison to Congress.  He has managed budgets in the billions of dollars with thousands of civilian and military personnel under his command, including 2,000 Navy SEALs and three brigades of Army Rangers.  Lumpkin assures voters he has the skill set and experience to serve them best in Congress.

Republican candidate Duncan D. Hunter, son of the retiring Congressman, started a small web site company after graduation from San Diego State University. He was involved in the high technology and digital communications industry until the tech bubble burst.  After the September 11th , 2001 terrorist attacks, he recalled, “I quit my job the next day…because I wanted to serve my country.” Hunter joined the Marine Corps and served two deployments in Iraq, including service in Fallujah. Promoted to Captain, he got out in 2005 and began another small business building homes, which was once again affected by a changing economy and unstable market. While working on his father’s presidential campaign he decided to run for Congress--just in time to be called back to active duty for one more tour in Iraq.  Hunter tells voters that his business experience in the struggling civilian sector keeps him in touch with the hardships faced by Americans today.

Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit, capitalizing on popularity of Ron Paul, has also been waging a valiant if uphill effort to woo voters from the two major parties.  “I am the candidate in this race that is the champion of the Constitution,” said Benoit, who argues that “government is getting out of control, writing legislation, taking away our liberties, and engaging in foreign enterprises not beneficial to our country.”  Benoit believes the Patriot Act, Real ID Act, and Military Commissions Act have robbed Americans of Constitutionally-protected freedoms.  He faults an economy geared up for “warfare and welfare,” blames Congress for “mortgaging our children’s future,” and believes in small government in which domestic issues would be addressed locally, not through federal programs.  He also calls for an immediate end to the Iraq War.

During the Cuyamaca College debate on the 22nd of October, sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce, I couldn’t help the feeling that I was in a foxhole myself. Candidates had taken the stage and the debate was about to begin. I yawned and glanced at my watch. Then Joe Ryan, a write-in candidate who qualified for the ballot, took to the stage, violently tapping at papers in his hands while loudly demanding that he should be included in the debate, since it was held at a publicly-owned campus. An officer escorted him out in handcuffs, but not before he managed to scream accusations at Hunter and the officer. I  perked up, this was going to be some debate!

Although all the candidates managed to entertain us with genuine humor and character while addressing the top issues affecting the country, there was tangible tension on the surface. Lumpkin took a shot at his opponent, stating, “It did not take a catastrophic event for me to be patriotic”. Hunter was quick to reply that he didn’t join the Marine Corp to have the service pay for something for him or to get something out of it. Lumpkin has coined Hunter as “the Congressman’s kid” and warned voters of a monarchical pass of power between the Hunters. At the debate, “Junior” took Lumpkin head-on and said if he wanted to run against his father, he was too late in the game. Hunter reiterated his desire to serve and pledged to deliver “straight answers” to questions.  Clearly, the dueling veterans have proven to be formidable opponents in this election.

On the key issues of  war, border security, taxes, women’s rights, healthcare, and  global warming these Congressional candidates positions are as opposite as day is to night.

Lumpkin, considered one of the foremost experts in National Security by the Department of Defense, has a clear and unique exit strategy for Iraq. He proposes that the U.S. remove fifty percent of our troops from Iraq and deploy the remaining troops to the Iraqi borders to prevent neighboring countries from entering the conflict, allowing the Iraqi government and military to settle its own civil war. “In 2003 we invaded Iraq to insure that there were no weapons of mass destruction that threatened the United States, to end a tortuous dictatorship, to provide the framework for democracy and to provide the resources to revive its economy.  These objectives were achieved years ago. The mission was accomplished,” he states in a video on his website.  His defense strategies also include shifting some troops to Afghanistan and modernizing the military, including adequately outfitting troops as well as a “robust shipbuilding program” as the world becomes a global market. 

Hunter, having seen Iraq progress over the years, insists the surge is working. In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, Hunter said that he believes we must stay until Iraq is no longer a threat to the U.S. and is a stabilizing force in the Middle East. He added that he will support a withdrawal when the Generals on the ground say it is time.   “I think that pulling out of Iraq right now is like pulling firefighters off a wildfire when you have 70% containment,” he has stated.  On his website, Hunter also calls for providing troops with the best equipment available and elimination of “bureaucratic roadblocks that hamper our efforts to obtain new weapons and intelligence technology.”

Concerning the Patriot Act, Habeas Corpus and Torture, Lumpkin told East County Magazine that he feels the Patriot Act is over reaching, Habeas Corpus is a must, and torture is unacceptable. Hunter responded that the Patriot Act was necessary and can be re-evaluated as needed, feels that “this is not a conventional war where the Geneva Convention applies while terrorists cut the heads off our troop captives.” 

In regards to border security, Hunter says first and foremost that the U.S. needs to build the border wall. When I spoke to Hunter, I asked if the wall had to cover ever mile of the south border, he replied, “Absolutely,” with conviction. Lumpkin replied just as confidently that the wall should be built only in parts where it was effective and where the topography and environment make it reasonable.  “Our southern border is a national security issue,” he noted in the debate.   Lumpkin would leverage technology to improve border security and also called for increasing the size of the Border Patrol force.

In the debate, Lumpkin said taxes are not the problem; we need to reduce wasteful spending and establish priorities. Hunter said he wants to reduce taxes and added, “We cannot tax our way out of our problems.” He also calls for establishment of fair trade, not free trade.

Lumpkin believes in the human factor in global warming. Lumpkin says we have the “recipe” to energy independence in San Diego County with wind, solar, and coastal energy.  “We need to create incentives at the state, federal, and county level for businesses to thrive here,” he said.  “Twenty percent of our GNP in the 52nd district is tied to defense. What about the other 80%? We need to focus on it has well and broaden our tax base.” 

Hunter believes global warming is cyclical. His solution to energy independence is to “drill, drill, drill”, tapping into our own resources and investing in all alternatives during the 10 year refining period.   

Lumpkin is pro-choice. Hunter is strongly  pro-life but told ECM that there should be exceptions for rape victims, cases of incest, and when the mother’s life is in danger.

Lumpkin supports making healthcare more accessible for everyone, though not necessarily through a single-payer plan in this time of economic crisis.  He would support full SCHIP funding to expand healthcare for uninsured children and also seeks to make Medicare fiscally stable. 

Hunter does not feel the Federal Government should regulate healthcare. He believes Congress should use its power to effect interstate trade by breaking the “monopoly state” insurance companies have on coverage. Hunter told ECM his proposition would allow for Americans to choose the plan that fits their needs best from any state in the U.S. regardless of what state they reside in, encouraging competitive service and prices.

Rest assured both candidates do see eye to eye on some issues that all agree are important for our region.  Lumpkin and Hunter say that they want to make sure children go to good schools, protect middle class jobs, make San Diego a leader in energy efficiency providing federal incentives for families and businesses that go green, and restore faith and transparency  in government.  Both agree it will take more than a wall to resolve our immigration issues, and both are committed to equipping our troops and caring for our veterans, and focus on all foreign policy priorities--not just Iraq and Afghanistan, ensuring national security.

Both agree that stronger fire protection is needed for our region.  “I know well the devastation that can be caused by southern California wildfires,” said Hunter, whose parents home burned down in the 2003 Cedar fire.  He aims to ensure that federal assets such as firefighting helicopters and aircraft at Camp Pendleton and North Island Naval Base are requested immediately if a wildfire beyond the ability of local firefighting resources occurs.  He faults enviromentalists and lobbyists for restricting homeowners’ rights to brush and debris from around residences and also calls for federal funding to help local firefighters obtain equipment and personnel.

Lumpkin’s Jamul property has also been damaged by wildfire. Son of a disabled firefighter and a volunteer with the Deerhorn Valley Community Fire Station, Lumpkin told East County Magazine that he, too,  is acutely award of the fire hazards facing East County and supports more resources for firefighting. “We need to enhance the relationship between federal, state and local fire agencies,” he said, adding that agencies should work together to practice coordinated responses to catastrophic blazes.

Without a doubt, East County is abuzz with the prospect of a new Congressional Representative. This election, there are two exceptional candidates each with unique merit, but very different directions for the country.

For more information on this race, visit the League of Women Voters’ nonpartisan site at  www.smartvoter.org, check the nonpartisan “Voter’s Self Defense” info on candidates d at  www.vote-smart.org (including campaign financing, issue positions and interest group support),  and visit the candidates’ websites at:

www.hunterforcongress.com
www.lumpkinforcongress.com
www.benoit08.com

Joseph Rocha is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Middle East in Anti-Terrorism/Force protection measures as an Explosion Detection Handler and Supply Petty Officer.  He received the Expeditionary Global War on Terrorism Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and also assisted in Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts.  His unit provided security for officials including the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.  Now a political science major at City College, Rocha’s bipartisan experience includes internships with Republican Congressman Ken Calvert, Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis, and  Kenneth Maxey, Director of the California Democratic Party.  He aspires to attend law school with a focus on Constitutional Law. 

Editor Miriam Raftery, an award-winning journalist who has reported on the 52nd Congressional district race in several past elections, also contributed to this story. 


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Comments

Lumpkin vs Hunter

I attended the recent debate at Grossmont College just to see these two candidates face off. I was totally convinced that Mike Lumpkin is the obviously more qualified candidate. He was able to clearly communicate his positions and his credentials are really impressive. On the other hand, Duncan Hunter Jr. appeared bumbling, inarticualte, and at times looked like a deer in the headlights went confronted with logical opposition to his stances on issues. If voters take the time to look at these two veterans MIKE LUMPKIN is clearly the one who should take the 52nd Congressional seat. No doubt Lumpkin won the debate - the question now is - can he win the election? I hope so. We deserve good representation.

Prevent Unwanted Dynasties

As soon as the residents in the 52nd find out that the candidate is actually Little Duncan, the son, they tell me that they think it is wrong, and that they do NOT want a dynasty here in our district! We want meritocracy, not aristocracy!