Maloney And Nielsen Take On Issues And Each Other In Local Forum

By Steve Bigham

Jim Maloney and Mark Nielsen came face-to-face in Newtown Monday night where they took part in a spirited debate on the issues currently facing the Fifth US Congressional District, the nation, and the world.

The two candidates, who have been bashing each other’s records for months, were in town for the annual Pizza & Politics event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. While the attacks continued this week, both the incumbent and challenger used the Newtown forum to stake out their respective positions on the issues.

Many among the 200 or so in attendance said they came to see firsthand if the candidates had anything of real substance to offer. Their TV ads indicated great disdain for one another and some were expecting a barroom brawl rather than a debate.

“It was much more civil than I expected it would be,” admitted John Klopfenstein. “They were very eloquent in their responses as opposed to the down and dirty sound byte commercials they’re running.”

For those who may still be undecided on whom to vote for, Monday’s event may have helped them to make up their minds. However, there is some question as to how many of those in attendance were still truly undecided. Many of them were members of the Republican and Democratic town committees.

Mr Nielsen, the challenger, is making his second bid for the seat in Washington after falling to Mr Maloney by little more than one percent point two years ago. He calls himself a free market, free trade Republican. If elected, he promises voters tax relief with no rate reductions, improved education by promoting accountability among teachers, and a steadfast effort to resist special interest group pressures.

Mr Nielsen wasted little time criticizing his opponent for catering to the special interest groups.

“Mr Maloney is the number one recipient of money from organized labor on the East Coast. He should not be representing the Fifth District,” Mr Nielsen said. “He would be more appropriate representing Flint, Michigan, or Gary, Indiana.”

Mr Nielsen attacked Mr Maloney for voting against the China Trade Bill, which eliminated trade restrictions with the most populous nation in the world. The Republican suggested that his opponent voted the way he did because of his ties to organized labor.

Mr Maloney defended his vote, pointing out that he does support trade with China, but only if its government agrees to clean up its act on human rights violations and the environment.

“Mr Nielsen says trade at any cost,” he said.

The burly Democrat, seeking a third term in office, then turned the tables on Mr Nielsen, a former state senator from Danbury, accusing him of voting in a way that supported HMOs and their agenda. HMOs are major contributors of the Nielsen campaign, according to Mr Maloney.

“Why does Mr Nielsen have such a fixation on labor? Because he had the worst labor rating in the state senate when he was there,” Mr Maloney noted. “People who work with their hands or their backs are definitely scared of Mr Nielsen getting elected.”

The congressman went so far as to call his opponent “anti-family” and out of touch with the people of the Fifth District.

But, as Mr Nielsen pointed out, it is Mr Maloney who is out of touch with the district. Just look at his voting record, he said.

“You should insist on a representative who pays attention locally, but also someone who votes as you would on the important matters of the day,” Mr Nielsen explained.

But Mr Maloney is proud of his accomplishments locally, particularly the eight Newtown police officers recently hired thanks to his support of community-policing programs. The incumbent also emphasized his ties to Newtown through his wife, Mary, and his in-laws, Dr and Mrs Thomas Draper.

Mr Maloney said he stands by his voting record and believes he offers a balanced approach.

“We don’t live in Flint, Michigan. We also don’t live in Pottersville [made famous in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life]. Pottersville is what Mr Nielsen offers you this evening. I offer a balance that takes all sides into consideration,” he said.

In the area of education, Mr Nielsen favors “opportunity scholarships” or school vouchers worth $1,500 that would allow low-income families to get some direct financial support from the federal government at a private school. Mr Maloney disagrees with vouchers, favoring $2,000 per child federal tax credits to help families pay for education.

“It would be available to everyone and wouldn’t discriminate,” he said.

The Fifth District is rated one of the most hotly contested congressional races in the nation this year. The Fifth District is considered a swing district that can go either way – Democrat or Republican.

Joseph Zdonczyk of the Concerned Citizens Party is also on the ballot. However, the candidate was not selected to take part in the forum. He expressed his displeasure with the decision outside of the venue. Officials for the event said they offered to introduce Mr Zdonczyk prior to the Maloney/Nielsen debate. He declined.