Debate highlights differences in candidates’ priorities, experiences.

Vienna residents had an opportunity last Wednesday, Sept. 24 to take a close look into the two candidates competing for the Congressional 11th District seat left open after the U.S. Rep. Tom Davis announced his decision to retire. Democrat Gerry Connolly and Republican Keith Fimian debated in a Candidates’ Forum sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Candidates answered written questions submitted from the audience. Each candidate gave an opening and closing statement. Edythe Kelleher, legislative chair for the American Legion Auxiliary, moderated the forum.

Connolly underscored his years of public service.

"I think it’s important that if you want to represent the community, you have to be a part of it," said Connolly. He added that he does not show up at community functions because he is running for office, but rather, because he has been active in the Fairfax community for many years.

Fimian, with an accounting degree and successful entrepreneurial background, insisted on a need to balance the budget as the basis to alleviate the country’s ills. He compares running a government to running a business.



THE DEBATE touched upon a range of issues facing the country.

On medical care for returning Iraq and Afghanistan troops: Fimian said our troops "have to have the highest quality of care when they come home." Connolly said the troops deserve "the very best medical care the U.S. can provide," to the soldiers and to their families, as well. "It is the sacred duty of the American people" to provide medical support when people are asked to serve.
On energy: Fimian promotes off-shore drilling, further development of nuclear power, and expansion of the coal industry. Connolly believes state and the federal governments need to "aggressively develop alternate sources of energy," including solar energy, and to look at vehicles that don’t operate on foreign oil. Fimian declared that America should be energy-independent and energy secure." Connolly noted that oil companies are currently sitting on oil reserves, "drill here, drill now," said Connolly.

Neither candidate expressed satisfaction with "No Child Left Behind." Connolly called for the federal government to pick up the tab for the act, saying "if the federal government wants us to do it, they ought to pay for it." Fimian moved on to giving foreign doctoral students incentive to remain in the U.S.

On college affordability: Connolly, who once worked with Clarence Pell, promotes expanding Pell grants, and restoring credit opportunity for student loans. Fimian turned to the community — businesses and individuals — to offer scholarships. Fimian also called for county assistance to provide for needy college students.



ON IRAQ: Connolly proposes a "phased, responsible withdrawal.

"We need to re-focus on the war in Afghanistan, a war we should be winning, That’s the war we need to win, to re-focus our energies and resources in Afghanistan … The war in Iraq has distracted us from the war on terrorism."

Fimian posits that "we need to give greater thought to getting out of Iraq than we did getting in." The Middle East is a "really fragile area," Fimian says, and the U.S. needs to "listen to the Gen. Petraeuses of the world."

On protecting the interests of retired federal employees in the 11th District: Fimian said the central reason he is running for office is that "we’ve got to balance the federal budget" to ensure funds are available. Connolly looks to "making sure they have the health care they were promised" and to "making sure the federal government is an attractive workplace."
Connolly counts on his achievements on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, as a district supervisor and as chairman, citing as evidence top schools, enviable living environment, quality of life, and the County’s AAA bond rating.

Owner of a national chain of home inspection offices, Fimian stands by the business model of government. He believes the good practices of industry and business promote economic growth.

At one point, Fimian referred to the county taking care of its own roads. Connolly pointed out that Fairfax County owns no roads: they are either state roads or private ones. Fimian conceded he "misspoke."

Neither candidate endorsed lowering the drinking age, but both agreed the U.S. immigration process needs rehauling, and securing borders is a vital step in that process. Connolly said that the Fairfax County Sheriff has been working with ICE. "Nobody should be here illegally. The rest of the solution is at the federal level, not the local level, " said Connolly.

Fimian said that the safety of the citizenry is the "highest among the responsibilities of the federal government." Immigrants should "learn the language, pay taxes and obey the law," he said.



"I CAME BECAUSE I have never seen Connolly debate, and I’ve never seen Fimian before," said Vienna resident Mary Ellen Larkins. "In order to make a good decision, I have to be educated. I’ve voted for Democrats and Republicans."