2nd District candidates make closing arguments

VIRGINIA BEACH

The three candidates in the 2nd Congressional District sparred but also agreed Thursday night on some issues during their last debate before next week 's election.

The forum, organized by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, focused heavily on the United States' relationship with Israel and touched on the new health care law, the stimulus bill, negative campaign ads, and the candidates' views on Islam and terrorism.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, Republican Scott Rigell and independent Kenny Golden told the standing-room-only crowd of 300 at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center that they consider the United States and Israel inseparable allies.

"We know that Israel cannot have a bad day militarily," said Nye, who is a Democrat.

"I know there is a special story for Israel. It goes back to the Bible," Rigell said. "I believe the original deed for that land is with the Jewish people."

The candidates offered strong words when asked about plans to place an Islamic center, including a mosque, near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York City and the firing of an NPR political commentator for saying he is worried when he sees Muslim passengers in traditional clothing seated near him on commercial jetliners.

All said the New York center should be moved or at least used as a center for all faiths - not just Islam.

"That project should show some good taste and move somewhere else," Golden said.

Nye said people of different backgrounds should be able to share their beliefs with one another. "One of the strengths of this country... is the fact that we are free to say what we feel about things."

Rigell said there are times when "political correctness" prevents people from being honest about their fears and feelings.

The firing of Juan Williams by NPR for expressing his concern was wrong, Rigell said. "You know, frankly, I would share his view. I think for him to be fired for saying something that is an entirely rational concern is, I think, a poor decision."

Asked how their own religious beliefs would affect their actions if elected, all said they are Christians but that isn't their sole identity.

"My decisions, in terms of votes, are guided by the Constitution of the United States of America and my conversations with people of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore," Nye said.

Rigell was more concise: "I'm not a pastor; I'm a businessman. I know how to create jobs. That's what I want to do."

Rigell and Nye spoke of their differences on federal stimulus spending and their attack ads on each other about the subject.

Nye pointed out that he supported the multibillion-dollar stimulus bill last year because it would create jobs, and he was critical of Rigell, a car dealer, for opposing it while participating in the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Under the program, car buyers were eligible for federal funds when they traded in their high-mileage older cars for fuel-efficient new vehicles.

Nye said Rigell's opposition to the stimulus bill was based on politics and not on principled beliefs.

Rigell, whose dealerships made more than $400,000 in sales with the program, said he resented Nye's criticism and that he had no choice but to participate or lose money to other dealers. "The rebate went to the customers, not the dealerships," he said.

Golden, who sat between the two, gestured to Nye, then to Rigell, and said: "You voted for it. You used it. I wouldn't have voted for it."

Voters in the district, which includes Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore plus part of Norfolk and Hampton, will elect one of the three men to a two-year term Tuesday.

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