Posted on 08/12/2004 5:45:22 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Hastert stumps for Neugebauer By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
ABILENE — U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert told business people here Wednesday that he believes Republicans can capture more seats in Congress during the November election.
"Texas is a great opportunity," he said.
Hastert, R-Ill., campaigned in Abilene for U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock. About 75 people attended the event at the Abilene Civic Center.
Neugebauer's race with fellow incumbent Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, is one of several that Republicans are hoping to win to increase their margin in the U.S. House.
Hastert said he has heard people predict Republicans will acquire an additional two to eight seats in the Texas delegation.
Congressional redistricting by the Texas Legislature placed incumbent Democrats into redrawn districts that are heavily Republican in hopes of creating more GOP seats in the U.S. House.
Stenholm, who has represented District 17 since 1979, was one of several incumbent Democrats targeted by redistricting. The new 19th District, which was redrawn to include Stenholm's home base in Abilene has 27 counties. Stenholm has never represented 13 of those, including Lubbock — the most populated county in the district.
Stenholm's campaign said Neugebauer is using prominent Republicans, including Hastert and Vice President Dick Cheney, to boost his campaign instead of running on his own record.
Cheney has campaigned twice for Neugebauer — Aug. 2 in Lubbock and in December in Abilene.
"Randy obviously knows that Charlie's message of independence and representing West Texas values is resonating with voters, which is why he continues to bring outsiders in to prop up his campaign," said Cori Smith, campaign director for Stenholm. "While Charlie has been an independent leader for many years in Congress, Randy continues to be a follower. I would caution voters to look at who Randy is following 98 percent of the time — someone who helped Randy deny funding for a successful program at Dyess Air Force Base and deny Texas teachers full Social Security benefits."
Hastert defended Neugebauer against similar allegations in a recent column in an Abilene newspaper questioning the congressman's vote on housing at military installments including Dyess Air Force Base. The speaker said there was misinformation and "half-truths."
"This guy is doing things right," Hastert said.
Hastert said he has known Stenholm for decades but believes Neugebauer can help push the Republican agenda.
"I've known Charlie Stenholm, he was in Congress a long time before I came in 1986, he served on the Democratic side of the aisle ..." Hastert said. "I know him as a friend, but I think this gentleman (Neugebauer) can move our issues better because he has a role at the leadership table with the leadership of this Congress."
When he is recruiting, Hastert said he looks for people who know their district and Neugebauer knows the region and his constituents.
Neugebauer is not bound to vote with Republican leadership, Hastert said, but they must work as a team.
"So, every member must, number one, vote his district, but we must also work as a team to get things done," Hastert said.
As speaker, Hastert said he does not make many headlines and is not on television often, but he tries to unite people.
Hastert has been on a whirlwind tour through the nation trying to elect or reelect Republicans to Congress. The Abilene stop was his third in Texas. All three stops were to support opponents of Democratic incumbents, all of whom have served at least seven terms in the U.S. House.
Hastert also was scheduled to appear Wednesday night in Hobbs, N.M., with Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who faces Democrat Gary King in November for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District seat.
Hastert said Capitol Hill was in turmoil when he became speaker in 1998. He said Congress balanced the budget, but the events of Sept. 11, 2001, have been financially draining for the country.
"We've spent a lot of money in this country to make sure people are safe," Hastert said.
Billions have been spent on homeland defense and to fight the war on terrorism.
Hastert said his vision as speaker includes building the military, increasing access to affordable health care and creating a better tax system.
The nation's current tax system is filled with "hidden taxes" that make it difficult for American companies to compete here and abroad, he said.
"I think we need to change how we tax in this country," Hastert said. "Every time we buy a product in this country, people pay a hidden tax of 20 to 25 percent ... We ought to do away with hidden income taxes and move to a more plain system."
With a different system, the Internal Revenue System would also become obsolete, he said.
Hastert and Neugebauer said Congress must work to create policies that are friendly for small businesses, which are the largest employers in the nation and the region.
"We have to make America a good place to do business," Neugebauer said.
Neugebauer said he wants to encourage an "entrepreneurial spirit and not try to snuff it out with the federal government."
The men suggested tort reform to cut back on litigation costs, court costs and the cost of taxation, which are costly and driving many small businesses to permanently close their doors.
sebastian.kitchen@lubbockonline.com 766-8753
Texas is DeLay's abck yard..he masterminded the whole redistricting plan..For Hastert to drop in there, must mean the GOP feels it can get ALL the seats..
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