Thread: NC - 12th District challenger talks immigration

Dr. Ada Fischer, a candidate endorsed by alipac is mentioned here:

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/n ... 917252.htm

Posted on Fri, Nov. 03, 2006

DECISION 2006

12th District challenger talks immigration
Congressional rematch spotlights new issues
TIM FUNK
tfunk@charlotteobserver.com

It's a rematch this year in North Carolina's 12th Congressional District, with Dr. Ada Fisher, a Republican from Salisbury, trying again to retire Rep. Mel Watt, a Charlotte Democrat running for an eighth term.

Watt, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, won easily in their last matchup in 2004, taking 67 percent of the vote to Fisher's 33 percent.

Fisher, a retired physician, has to be counted as the underdog again in a Democratic-friendly district that winds along Interstate 85 from downtown Charlotte into Forsyth and Guilford counties. Though she's raised more money this campaign -- with help from expensive direct-mail firms -- her campaign only had $1,680 in the bank at the end of September.

Watt's cash on hand as of Oct. 18: $160,357.

But Fisher, 58, says she has a powerful new issue in 2006: illegal immigration.

She says the influx of undocumented immigrants is compromising homeland security, burdening social service agencies and taking jobs away from workers who are U.S. citizens.

"We're going to have a clash between black and brown (people)," Fisher says, referring to African Americans and Hispanics who often compete for the same jobs. "(Illegal immigrants from Latin America) are being allowed to cut in line and take benefits away from citizens of the United States."

She charged that Watt favors "amnesty" for illegal immigrants.

Watt answers that the country needs first to have a discussion about its goals for first to have a discussion about its goals for immigration.

As he travels the district, Watt, 61, says voters prefer to talk about the Iraq war, health care and jobs -- issues on which he claims to better reflect district opinion.

He emphasizes his early opposition to the Iraq war and his strong support for raising the minimum wage.

"If we (Democrats) take back the House, I'd expect a quick vote to increase the minimum wage -- probably in the first 30 days," he says.

Watt is also talking about his long experience in Washington and his work as head of the Congressional Black Caucus on issues such as equal opportunity, poverty and extension of the Voting Rights Act.

"Experience is an excellent thing," says Watt, who sits on the House Judiciary and Financial Services committees.

But Fisher says Watt's 14 years in Congress is long enough. She wants to go to Washington to use her know-how as a public health specialist and to push for new ideas -- including a flat income tax that would replace the current graduated income tax formula. Decision 2006

As he travels the district, Watt, 61, says voters prefer to talk about the Iraq war, health care and jobs -- issues on which he claims to better reflect district opinion.

Watt sees no connection between illegal immigration, healthcare and jobs?

Please, please, please send Dr. Fischer to Washington.