Thread: IN: Ellsworth, Goode spar over financial rescue package

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Ellsworth, Goode spar over financial rescue package
By Jimmy Nesbitt (Contact)
Originally published 10:16 p.m., October 7, 2008
Updated 10:16 p.m., October 7, 2008

VINCENNES, Ind. The economy was one of several issues the candidates for the 8th Congressional District seat discussed Tuesday during a debate at Vincennes University's Red Skelton Performing Arts Center.

About 120 people attended the debate, hosted by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Lynne Rump, a member of the League of Women Voters of Knox County.

The incumbent, Democrat Brad Ellsworth, defended his recent vote for the $700 billion financial rescue package, saying it was necessary to help small banks and business owners trying to get loans.

His opponent, Republican Greg Goode, said the package supported by Ellsworth rewards people who made bad decisions.

"Quite frankly, I think he should be back in Congress addressing this problem," Goode said.

Ellsworth and Goode agreed on several issues, such as opposing the granting of amnesty to illegal aliens and privatizing Social Security. But there was a clear split on the financial rescue package.

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8th District challenger speaks to Rotary Club
By John Martin
Originally published 08:59 p.m., October 14, 2008
Updated 08:59 p.m., October 14, 2008

Congressional candidate Greg Goode told Evansville Rotarians on Tuesday he is a self-described "Christian, American, conservative and Republican" in that order.

The Terre Haute, Ind., man who is challenging 8th District Rep. Brad Ellsworth promoted his conservative positions in luncheon remarks, but he also vowed to work with local officials of both political parties on transportation projects and other issues.

Goode has run a predominately shoe-leather campaign in his bid to unseat Ellsworth, an Evansville Democrat first elected in 2006.

He said he's been to 83 parades and hundreds of community events in the district's 18 counties and tells voters that he would be "a rock-solid, reliable, conservative voice in your U.S. Congress."

He decried illegal immigration twice during his speech, saying "thousands of illegal aliens continue to walk into the United States of America unchecked, and the only answer from our government is to offer them amnesty and full citizenship."

Goode said he would "do everything I can as your next congressman to lower your taxes" and would support "common-sense regulations" over financial markets.

On the Iraq war, Goode vowed to support funding for American troops and said that regardless of opinions about the war's beginning, "We are in Iraq, and we've got to get the job done once and for all."

Goode said he is a deacon at his Baptist church and a National Rifle Association member, and he said if elected he would be "a pro-life champion."

Goode said he opposed the bailout package for financial markets approved by Congress, vowed to support "fair trade" practices if elected and would support "environmentally safe exploration of coal and natural gas" as energy alternatives.

Goode said he met Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during a visit to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and he joked to the Rotary audience that he got to meet the Republican vice presidential nominee "before she was cool."

The candidate said he would covet a seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee if elected, and would seek federal funds for Interstate 69 and Vanderburgh County's University Parkway project.

This is Goode's first campaign for elected office. From 2002 to 2007, he was the chief public and governmental affairs officer at his alma mater, Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

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