Prince William Times - In Debate, Wittman Talks Bipartisanship, Mosher Faults GOP

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By Jonathan Hunley

The two major-party contenders for Virginia's 1st Congressional District seat talked partisanship at a debate last week outside Manassas, but they did so from opposing points.

Rep. Robert J. "Rob" Wittman, a Republican, emphasized bipartisan efforts he's undertaken with House Democrats, many of them from the Old Dominion, as well as times he's worked with Virginia's U.S. senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats.

His Democratic challenger, former Irvington town councilman Norman G. "Norm" Mosher, on the other hand, repeatedly criticized House Republicans and their leadership.

"Are you happy with this Congress?" Mosher asked at the event held by the Prince William Committee of 100, a group that aims to educate the public on civic matters. "Or is it time to change?"

Despite this contrast, and others on individual issues, the hopefuls maintained a civil tone in the debate, moderated by University of Mary Washington professor and pundit Stephen Farnsworth.

Of course, Wittman and Mosher have known each other for years. They both live in Virginia's Northern Neck, and the Democrat even has served on an advisory board to the Republican.

They agreed that Capitol Hill could use some fixing, but Wittman said that compromise is needed, while Mosher, perhaps obviously as a the challenger, urged the kind of change that comes at the ballot box.

"Washington, by any measure, is broken," Wittman said at the debate, held at the Wyndham Garden Manassas hotel.

On the issues of Syria and terrorism, the candidates essentially agreed with the notion that President Barack Obama needs congressional approval for military action, though they disagreed on certain points.

Disagreement was clearer on the issue of immigration reform.

Mosher noted that immigrants who have entered the U.S. illegally need a path to citizenship.

He also said the unaccompanied immigrant children who have flocked to the nation's southern border recently make for a "humanitarian" issue first, not one of immigration regulation.

Wittman, though, noted that a large percentage of people in the U.S. illegally have overstayed visas, so he said visa reform is necessary as well as border security.

Mosher, though, responded by saying, "Fences don't work."

The hopefuls also clashed along lines that might be considered more typical for their respective parties.

On the economy, Wittman said that the U.S. needs to lower its corporate tax rate but not raise the minimum wage, while Mosher was skeptical of the practices of some big businesses and supported hiking the pay of those who earn the least.

Wittman, though, underscored that his concern over the minimum wage was about companies having to shed jobs if they have to pay a higher minimum wage.

Really, the incumbent said, the focus should be on workforce development and how employees can attain higher-level positions.

"I don't want anybody staying at minimum wage," the lawmaker said.

The issue of marriage brought a clear distinction between the candidates, as well.

Wittman said that state legislatures should decide who can be married, but Mosher said the legal part of marriage is a contract that people of the same sex should be able to enter into just as heterosexuals do.

"I really do believe equal is equal, and that's the end of it," he said.

Independent Green candidate Glenda Gail Parker, who is also on the November ballot, was invited to the forum but did not attend.

Election Day is Nov. 4.

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