9th District
Sunday, October 29, 2006


The war in Iraq is a leading issue in the 9th Congressional District. In February, Democratic Rep. Steve Rothman became the first member of New Jersey's congressional delegation to call for a full withdrawal. That position spurred Republican challenger Vincent Micco, an Iraq war veteran, to enter the race in the heavily Democratic district. Micco says U.S. troops should remain until order is established and a sovereign Iraqi government can control the country.

An independent candidate, Michael Jarvis of Hawthorne, is also running.

Name: Steve Rothman

Party: Democrat

Age: 54

Hometown: Fair Lawn

Occupation: Member of Congress

Education: B.A., Syracuse University; J.D., Washington University School of Law

Family: Married with two children and three stepchildren.

Experience: Member of Congress since 1997, serves on the House Appropriations Committee; Bergen County surrogate, 1993-96; mayor of Englewood, 1983-89.

Spending (2005 through late September): $626,000

Cash on hand: $1.9 million

Web site: house.gov/rothman


Issues

The war in Iraq:

Calls for a troop withdrawal within three to eight months, with some troops stationed in nearby countries as a "quick-reaction force" to deal with armed conflicts between Iraqis. Rothman says the region would be more stable without a U.S. military presence in Iraq. Fewer Iraqis will become radicalized and the positive image of the U.S. in the world can be restored, he argues. The U.S. can then concentrate its efforts on tracking al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and throughout the world. Rothman also supports an inquiry into the possible impeachment of President Bush over whether the U.S. was misled by his administration on the reasons for the war.

Homeland security and terror:

Says he wants to fully fund all the recommendations listed in the 9/11 Commission's report. He says he will continue to push for security funding on a need basis instead of money going to states not likely to be affected by terrorism. Rothman also wants a ban on small planes over Manhattan.

Education:

Says his Secure Our Schools Act should be fully funded at $30 million so more schools can apply for matching funds to install metal detectors, locks, improved lighting and other safety measures.

Tax breaks:

Supports making college tuition tax deductible, fixing the alternative minimum tax and giving greater tax cuts to small businesses. He would rescind tax cuts to oil companies and individuals making more than $1 million a year.

Health care:

Supports expanding Medicare to everyone regardless of age, creating universal single-payer health care, but he does not know how it would be funded.

Economy:

Opposes closing Teterboro Airport, believing that it would hurt Bergen County's economy, but he calls for greater restrictions on its use. As he gains more seniority on the Appropriations Committee, Rothman says, he would bring more money back to the district to expand hospitals and improve transportation.

Immigration:

Supports the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill, which calls for stronger border security, regulates the future entry of foreign workers and would create a path to citizenship for illegal aliens living here for at least two years. He called a proposed 700-mile wall on the Mexican border a "joke." Rothman wants more border guards, detention facilities and penalties for employers of illegal immigrants. He wants illegal immigrants with a criminal record to be deported.

Name: Vincent Micco

Party: Republican

Age: 35

Hometown: Rutherford

Occupation: Mortgage banker

Education: Attended college but did not graduate. Honor graduate of U.S. Army Intelligence Academy.

Family: Married with four children

Experience: Sergeant in the Army who served in a counterintelligence unit; former executive director of the Bergen County Republican Organization; has never held public office.

Spending (2005 through late September): $19,200

Cash on hand: $14,800

Web site: votevince.com


Issues:

The war in Iraq:

Says the U.S. should remain a strong military presence in Iraq until the new government can defend itself from within and from other countries. He believes a pullout would severely damage stability in the Middle East and the image of the U.S. as a promoter of democracy. Micco says he has seen tremendous progress in rebuilding efforts, blames the attacks on a small group of "troublemakers" who are backed by Iran and says the vast majority of Iraqis want the U.S. in their country until it is stabilized. He blames news media for not reporting positive news from Iraq.

Homeland security and terror:

Supports most of President Bush's initiatives, including the Safe Ports Act. Micco said border security is one of his main concerns. He favors building walls on the Mexican and Canadian borders where practicable.

Education:

Says the federal No Child Left Behind program is a good idea but must be fully funded to be effective.

Tax breaks:

Says he wants to keep the Bush tax cuts permanent, believing they have jump-started the economy. He believes the cuts will create an economic boom and allow the administration to cut the federal deficit.

Health care:

Supports the recently enacted Medicare Part D plan. He says he does not believe in universal health care administered by the federal government. Micco wants the government to provide greater tax breaks to businesses that give health-care coverage to all of their employees.

Economy:

Wants to see Teterboro Airport closed permanently. He believes it will not hurt Bergen County's economy because its 827 acres could be developed into commercial or industrial property, but would leave that up to local officials. Micco is also advocating private property rights by vowing to fight developers who team with local government to condemn private property for redevelopment. Micco wants to provide more opportunities to low- and moderate-income families to buy their first home by expanding federal programs that offer low-interest loans with a small down payment. Micco says this can substitute for state-mandated low-income housing in all New Jersey municipalities.

Immigration:

Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants already living here. He says current immigration laws should be enforced to dissuade employers from hiring illegal workers.

-- Scott Fallon



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