With eye on U.S. Rep. Nye, GOP hopefuls debate

NASSAWADOX

The first public debate Thursday night of the six Republicans seeking the GOP nomination to run for Congress against Glenn Nye was less about their differences than their shared views that the federal government has to shrink and the U.S. has to become energy independent.

Their messages varied, but all carried the same theme - less government interference.

"Put a hiring freeze on government jobs. That's the first clear signal that government can send," said Ben Loyola, owner of an engineering firm in Virginia Beach.

"The spending frenzy has got to stop," said Ed Maulbeck, a defense contractor.

"I will do anything I can to stop the bleeding," said Bert Mizusawa, a government and corporate consultant. "To reduce the deficit, we need leaders with backbone who can put money back in your pocket."

"The best way for the government to help our small business is to simply leave us alone," said Scott Rigell, owner of Freedom Automotive. "We know it's not the government that creates jobs. It's our small businesses."

Government has to let capitalism run its course, they said.

"Let big companies that are failing fail," said Scott Taylor, a real estate broker and security consultant. "Let companies that are innovative thrive."

During the two-hour forum before an audience of about 100 in an Italian restaurant, the 2nd District candidates answered questions given to them in advance. They were critical of the health care reform legislation and championed the idea that the next congressman needs to be a military veteran - as they all are.

While referring to Nye, a Democrat, as "our freshman congressman" a few times, his name was only mentioned once.

The six said drilling for gas and oil off Virginia's coast and building more nuclear power plants were critical to reviving the economy and would be a boost to Virginia.

"There's no excuse for us not to drill," said Kenny Golden, former chairman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party. "There's no excuse for us not to use nuclear energy, and we need to do it now."

The concerns that offshore drilling platforms would hurt the environment or might affect the Navy's ability to maneuver can be addressed without blocking the drilling, they said.

"It's good training for the Navy. There are a lot of oil rigs in the Middle East," said Mizusawa. "It's a strategic imperative for America to develop these alternatives."

"We're not going to spill oil, and if we did spill oil we have the ability to clean it up," Maulbeck said.

Several candidates said they opposed the health care bills being debated in Congress.

The candidates are expected to appear as several other forums in the coming weeks before party members in the 2nd District, which stretches from part of Norfolk through Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore, choose their nominee.

Party members are expected to meet next week to decide whether to choose their candidate at a convention, a one-day caucus or a June 8 primary election.

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com