Local party chairs give views on their candidates
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Steve Haines, Kosciusko County's Democrat Party chairman, thought his candidate for the new Third Congressional District did just fine Monday, looked confident and was sure of himself.
Haines and his wife, Patti, attended the debate in Fort Wayne last night at the Chamber of Commerce.
"Jay did an excellent job," he said today. "I just wish there would be another debate so their difference could be spelled out more."
He said the real debate occurred following the televised program when the candidates met with media representatives.
"I know Jay's been criticized in letters to the editor for putting Souder down," Haines said, "but a record like his is hard to defend."
Haines said Souder voted against sending people to war during the Clinton years, and voting for the move during the Bush years is clearly political.
"How can he give $13-1/2 million to the Kruse museum? It's disgraceful when there is no money for veterans but plenty to pay back your donors. I know they come from different accounts. Maybe the pie needs to be resliced."
Haines called the congressional candidate for the new Third District a moderate, not the extreme liberal Souder paints him to be, unlike the extreme conservative Souder is.
Haines thought the debate was well-run with no one going over the given time, and the answers were short and to the point.
"I'm amazed at how many people said they watched the debate," he said, adding another debate or a longer one would have shown more differences between the candidates.
Republican Party chairman Mike Gavin watched the debate from his home. He is of the opinion, quite naturally, that his party's candidate was clearly the better prepared, answered questions more fully and, because of his experience in the capital, gave quite a bit more detail when answering questions.
"Its clear to me Mark Souder is more in tune with his constituents," Gavin said. "He represents the thoughts and values of the Third District, from the resolution supporting military action against Iraq to the repeal of the estate tax.
"Rigdon said he would not have voted for the resolution even though the Democrat Party leaders, Senators Gephart and Daschle, voted for it.
"And how can he not support repeal of the estate tax? Mr. Rigdon showed himself to be quite a bit more liberal than this constituency." [[In-content Ad]]
Steve Haines, Kosciusko County's Democrat Party chairman, thought his candidate for the new Third Congressional District did just fine Monday, looked confident and was sure of himself.
Haines and his wife, Patti, attended the debate in Fort Wayne last night at the Chamber of Commerce.
"Jay did an excellent job," he said today. "I just wish there would be another debate so their difference could be spelled out more."
He said the real debate occurred following the televised program when the candidates met with media representatives.
"I know Jay's been criticized in letters to the editor for putting Souder down," Haines said, "but a record like his is hard to defend."
Haines said Souder voted against sending people to war during the Clinton years, and voting for the move during the Bush years is clearly political.
"How can he give $13-1/2 million to the Kruse museum? It's disgraceful when there is no money for veterans but plenty to pay back your donors. I know they come from different accounts. Maybe the pie needs to be resliced."
Haines called the congressional candidate for the new Third District a moderate, not the extreme liberal Souder paints him to be, unlike the extreme conservative Souder is.
Haines thought the debate was well-run with no one going over the given time, and the answers were short and to the point.
"I'm amazed at how many people said they watched the debate," he said, adding another debate or a longer one would have shown more differences between the candidates.
Republican Party chairman Mike Gavin watched the debate from his home. He is of the opinion, quite naturally, that his party's candidate was clearly the better prepared, answered questions more fully and, because of his experience in the capital, gave quite a bit more detail when answering questions.
"Its clear to me Mark Souder is more in tune with his constituents," Gavin said. "He represents the thoughts and values of the Third District, from the resolution supporting military action against Iraq to the repeal of the estate tax.
"Rigdon said he would not have voted for the resolution even though the Democrat Party leaders, Senators Gephart and Daschle, voted for it.
"And how can he not support repeal of the estate tax? Mr. Rigdon showed himself to be quite a bit more liberal than this constituency." [[In-content Ad]]