Congressional Candidates Spar at Forum

Congressman Jim Moran, Democrat from Virginia's 8th District, got a little heated at a candidates forum when challenged by Republican opponent Patrick Murray about his record during 20 years in Congress.

Murray, a career Army officer, points out the $13 trillion federal deficit, and says current members of Congress, along with President Barack Obama, are to blame.

"You are the one who has been voting for these measures," Murray said. The candidates, along with Independent Green Party candidate Ron Fisher, discussed their platforms at a Monday taping of Reston Impact, a public affairs show that runs on Comcast Channel 28. "What are you going to do differently?"

"I am going to do exactly what I have been doing," Moran countered. "During the Clinton years, almost 22 million new jobs were created. We left President Bush with a surplus of $5.6 trillion. Bush cut taxes, increased spending on two wars, and there was a $9 trillion fiscal reversal. My policies are clear. I am against tax cuts that aren't paid for. I want this budget balanced!"

The candidates discussed everything from abortion rights to traffic in Fairfax County.

Moran emphasized his accomplishments in Congress that have helped grow the Dulles Technology Corridor and maintain low unemployment during the economic downturn.

"National magazines have described Fairfax County is as the best place to start a business and achieve upward mobility," Moran said. "There is no better place right now to have a family and a job. My work on the House Appropriations Committee has resulted in almost $45 million of federal money put into Northern Virginia every year."

Murray says spending - even if it benefits the local economy - is why "we are in trouble."

"In the last two years, Congress has spent tax money like a trailer through a tornado park," said Murray. "They are addicted to spending your tax dollars. ... Moran needs to be held accountable for the deficit."

Murray came back to the deficit during a discussion of education. Moran voted for the Federal stimulus package that helped avert 300,00 teacher layoffs nationwide.

"We have good schools here, but they are not as good as they could be," Moran said about the need to get away from a "cookie cutter" approach to school and hel minorities acheive their full potential.

Said Murray: "We have tripled education spending, and the test results are flat. ... The kids need a good education, because God knows, they will have so much debt."

Murray said in a previous debate that he does not consider a women's right to choose "a critical issue" among voters in the 8th District, which encompasses the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, Arlington County, and portions of Fairfax County, including Reston. 

"I mostly hear about the ecnomy from voters," he said Monday. "Abortion is a very personal issue.We should be working to reduce the number of abortions."

Moran reiterated his pro-choice stance, as did Fisher.

Fisher's other platform includes reducing defense spending by 90 percent, creating jobs and increasing public transportation options.