Posted on 07/26/2004 5:51:29 PM PDT by benkilgore
Since the first day he voted in an election, 47-year-old Chuck Morse was a registered Democrat.
"I even came from a family of Democrats," said Morse.
But now Morse says he is an independent and he is taking on the Democratic establishment by running against U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Newton, in this year's 4th Congressional District race.
The district includes Taunton, Bridgewater, Raynham, Berkley, Fall River, New Bedford and stretches all the way up to Brookline, Newton and Wellesley.
Morse, of Brookline, says the party label is not as important as what you stand for and believe in.
"I considered myself a Reagan Democrat," said Morse, who aligned himself with the philosophies of the late Republican President Ronald Reagan.
Morse said he started to become more conservative politically in the 1980s during the Reagan years.
He said the definitive moment for his change in direction came when he filed his first tax return as an independent business owner.
"I had to know why the government was taking so much money and leaving me almost nothing," said Morse.
Morse says the tax burden hurts all small business owners and hit him hard.
"I couldn't grow faster and hire people," said Morse.
"That tax bill was a wake-up call for me to question what is government doing with all our money," he said.
Morse said he realizes taxes are needed, but he wants to go to Washington to make sure tax dollars are being spent in the most efficient and effective way.
"I'm in favor of the social safety net, but is it working or has it become waste and fraud," he said.
Morse has never run for public office before, but he is no stranger to the political scene and he has even debated Frank before.
For eight years he hosted a conservative talk show on WROL-AM in Boston and he says he debated Frank, who was a guest.
"For years I've been urging people to run and get involved," said Morse. "I felt the time was right now for a real race."
Morse said he wants to give voters a choice between a conservative candidate and the liberal Frank.
Morse said he hopes to debate Frank in September.
Morse said he believes Frank is weak on the economy, national security and terrorism.
Morse said the time is ripe for a conservative in the district.
"Gov. Romney almost carried the district. He came as close to taking it as anyone has," said Morse.
"Voters want to see reform and accountability. For 25 years, Frank has not had accountability," said Morse.
Frank said if voters want to know the real Chuck Morse they should read Morse's self-published book, "Why I Am a Right Wing Extremist."
The book is a compilation of essays.
"He's a right-wing conspiracy theorist," said Frank.
But what bothers Frank the most, he said, is Morse's low level of attack.
Frank said Morse has personally criticized his male companion and published statements that are not true.
"I'm very disappointed in the kind of campaign he is running," said Frank.
"This is the first time I have run into this level of inaccuracies and misrepresentations," said Frank. "He has attacked my companion."
Morse said Frank's work on immigration legislation has enabled terrorism, a claim Frank says is ridiculous.
Morse is the owner of City Metro Enterprises, a national advertising distribution service that he has run since 1986. His wife is a lawyer for the federal government, and they have a 5-year-old daughter.
Where can I contribute to this guy's campaign?
The Chuck Morse for Congress 04 Committee accepts contributions online at www.morseforcongress.com. Thank you.
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