South Idaho Press - "Candidates trade views on issues"

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South Idaho Press - "Candidates trade views on issues"

Evoking the key word of the presidential campaign, Republican candidate Gregory Nemitz said a vote for incumbent Rep. Mike Simpson in the May 27 Primary Election will not bring change to Washington.

"He's been in for 10 years, so I don't think you really get change if you vote for the same guy. Maybe it's time to look at different options," Nemitz told the South Idaho Press during an interview this week.

Simpson responded through a written statement issued by his communication's department.

"I believe in change as well � as I think all good conservatives do," Simpson said. "I'd like to see change through the Balanced Budget Amendment. I'd like to see change through lower taxes. I'd like to see change through smaller budgets and reduced spending. I'd like to see change through less regulation. I'd like to see change through greater respect for the lives of people and the unborn. And I'd like to see change through less reliance on the federal government in our daily lives."

Nemitz said he believes voters will connect with his message despite the uphill battle of challenging a five-term congressman

"It's not a slam dunk, but I think once people hear my message they'll pause and think maybe change is what we need," he said.

Nemitz said Simpson has dropped the ball on a couple of issues and accused him of joining the rest of Congress in raiding Social Security Trust Funds. "They've been doing it for so long it seems like it's become standard operating procedure for the government," he said.

Nemitz said Simpson has failed to take advantage of opportunities to co-sponsor legislature that would lock up social security funds and has instead voted to spend the money 93 percent of the time.

"We need a little bit more conservative fiscal policy in this country. Just being a rubber stamp for the powers that be in Washington is not going to accomplish that," Nemitz said.

Simpson said he has supported past efforts to seal off social security surpluses and has been an outspoken opponent of trust fund spending for years.

"Perhaps Mr. Nemitz has never heard me speak, but I talk about entitlement reform constantly and believe the lack of courage in Congress to deal with these financial issues bodes very poorly for our long-term financial health," he said.

Other distinctions between the two candidates mirror differences seen between presidential candidate Ron Paul, who Nemitz supports, and the Republican Party.

Like Paul, Nemitz heavily opposes what he calls an "illegal" war in Iraq. He also questioned the motives behind the invasion.

"We will leave Iraq when the oil is gone," Nemitz said.

Simpson said he was not in a position to give a specific timeline for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"As long as progress is being made on the ground, Iraq's government is making the political reforms necessary for national reconciliation and the government of Iraq is an ally against fundamental extremism, I believe we need to maintain our commitment to helping Iraq achieve stability," he said.

Nemitz said he was inspired to run for Congress by Paul's own campaign. He also said fears that Paul supporters are out to splinter the Republican Party are misguided.

"The Ron Paul movement is a movement within the Republican Party," Nemitz said.

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