The Lowell Sun - The Gloves Come Off

News Article

By Hillary Chabot

The Democratic congressional candidates sparred on free trade, global warming and the war in Iraq in the first general debate for U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan's seat.

The debate took on a sharper tone as candidates targeted each other - asking pointed questions about experience and past votees as they moved to further define themselves.

"How are out going to pay for all these proposals?" and exasperated state Rep. Jim Miceli, D-Wilmington, asked fellow Rep. Barry Finegold, who said he would repeal tax cuts put in place by President Bush to find proposals like spending $100 billion over 10 years to convert government vehicles and building to be powered by green energy.

The 90-minute debate, sponsored by The Sun, North Middlesex Savings Bank and the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, drew some heated exchanges at the Devens Common Center. The forum drew a crowd of about 400.

All candidates said they would investigate oil companies for price gouging, none have endorsed a presidential candidate and all except Miceli said they wouldn't commit to term limits. Meehan ran for congress promising he would limit his time in office, but later broke that pledge.

But the fireworks really started when candidates asked each other questions.

Candidates, in the hopes of knocking Tsongas from her front-runner status in recent polls, took several shots at the widow of former Congressman Paul Tsongas.

City Councilor Eileen Donoghue asked her why, as a member of the city's Civic Stadium and Arena Commission, Tsongas voted for a lease that "gave away the store" to keep the Lowell Devils at the Tsongas Arena. The lease gave the team all advertising and concession revenues in addition to charging 1500,000-a-year lease.

Tsongas said the lease, while a concern, was the best the commission could do at the time to save professional hockey and keep a pro team in Lowell.

State Rep. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, pointed to several forums where Tsongas seemed to echo the views of Democrats now in congress, such as learning to live with the North American Free Trade Agreement and using the marketplace to expand access to health care.

"How can we effect real change when Democrats like you refuse to take leadership?" Eldridge asked.

Tsongas retorted that she would bring change, but added she would also work in partnership with leaders at the federal, state and local levels to advance the district's goals.

Tsongas later said she didn't feel targeted by the other candidates, but her spokeswoman said the focus made it clear Tsongas' competitors know she's the person they have to beat.

Tsongas took some jabs of her own. She asked Eldridge, who believes immigration issues could be eased by ensuring a living wage in places like Mexico, how he would improve the quality of life there.

The Acton Democrat said he would use the millions of dollars that might be funneled toward building a fence along the border to bring proper health care and other staples to the country.

Eldridge later asked Finegold about a bill the Andover representative signed onto that would have abortion patients wait 24 hours before the procedure and give them time to look into other options, something Finegold wasn't aware he had signed. Finegold, a strong supporter of the right to choose, said he will take his name off the bill.

Candidates distinguished themselves further on the Iraq war. Eldridge and Tsongas said they would support bringing the troops home starting in 90 days, Donoghue suggested a roughly 18-month period of departure, while Miceli said withdrawing would spark "utter chaos."

As Eldridge stayed true to his position as the progressive candidates focusing on single-payer universal health care, Miceli and Donoghue focused on their municipal and state experience. Donoghue made a point of how little experience Tsongas has in government.

"Make no mistake, there can be no substitute for experience and leadership," Donoghue said.

Tsongas later said while her experience hasn't been in public office, her expericnce has come from life lessons and her work in education as a dean at Middlesex Community College and in health care by serving on the board of directors of Fallon Community Health Plan.

Finegold also stayed on message, focusing on alternative forms of energy such as fuel cells, as Tsongas described herself as the candidate of change, saying her experience in the workplace and with her former husband has prepared her for the job.

"Our country is headed in the wrong direction and we need a change now," Tsongas said. "I have the experience we need to get it done."

The gloves came off as the Sept. 4 primary, which will decide the next Democratic candidate, draws closer. A second debate to be sponsored by The Sun is scheduled for late July at Lowell Memorial Auditorium

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