Posted on 04/11/2006 3:00:47 PM PDT by new yorker 77
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Saying he was angered by calls to pull American forces out of Iraq, an Iraq war veteran who says the U.S. should stay the course in the Middle East announced Tuesday he was running for Congress in a northern New Jersey district currently represented by a strong opponent of the war.
Vince Micco, 34, a reservist who served in Iraq for a year, will face five-time Democratic incumbent Steve Rothman, 53, in the 9th Congressional District in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties.
"I'm an Iraq war veteran, and it really bothers me the way the war is being portrayed by the president's critics," said Micco, a former Army sergeant who was a counterintelligence specialist in Iraq and an Army reservist for nine years.
"I am running because the American people can and should be proud of what we're accomplishing in Iraq, and throughout the Middle East," Micco said.
Micco, who has been active in Bergen County Republican politics for years and served two terms as the head of the Bergen County Young Republicans, said he has the endorsement of the county Republican organization.
The Republican candidate, who works as a mortgage banker and lives in Rutherford, said he decided to run after Rothman called for a rapid pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq, saying that the war had hurt the military, the war on terrorism and the economy.
Rothman, who voted in favor of the Iraq invasion three years ago, has said he was acting on incorrect information from the Bush White House that Saddam Hussein posed a threat and he now regrets the vote.
"To just cut and run like some people in Congress are advocating is a disservice to the thousands of military people that I served with," Micco said.
Rothman, speaking from Washington D.C., said while he respects Micco for serving his country, he disagrees with the Republican candidate about the war.
"He supports President Bush's policy of staying the course for a number of additional years in Iraq, exposing our servicemen and women to death and grievous injury and further deepening our financial problems here at home," Rothman said.
Micco will face an uphill battle to win the seat, said Rider University political analyst, David Rebovich.
He said Micco's background could be a plus to voters in the district which was greatly impacted by 9/11 and where national security issues and the war on terrorism are important. But his support for President Bush wouldn't play well in a state where people went strongly Democratic in the last presidential election, Rebovich said.
"Is he a cheerleader for the Bush White House or does he have some alternatives to the situation in Iraq?" Rebovich said.
Finances could also pose a problem, he said.
In order to launch a competitive campaign, Micco, who was holding his first fundraiser Tuesday night, would have to air television ads in the expensive New York media market, said Rebovich.
Does he have a website?
I found this link. I do not no if it is still active.
Bergen County Young Republicans
C/o Vince Micco-
BCRO Headquarters
339 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-575-9394
vmicco@remn.com
www.BergenYR.org
http://www.politicsnj.com/bcyr052104.htm
Where can we send a donation?
Don't know.
Maybe check with the Bergen County Young Republicans.
Large Arab and muslim populations in the Passaic/Hudson parts of the district?
Iraq vets running.
There are 8 Democrats left of the 12 who tried to run or openly considered running.
1 barely one a primary she was predicted to win easily.
7 still face a primary.
On the GOP. 2 Republicans are running for the House. One for the Senate.
District 9
No info on website.
http://www.votevince.com/
ping for later contribution
I just talked with Vince Micco. He said "You're kidding!!!", when he heard I was calling from out of state, and from down South to boot! lol. I told him that you had posted this thread at Free Republic about his run for office, and that we wanted to donate. He sends his thanks, and asked for our prayers. I told him we were thrilled to hear he is running, and that he certainly has our prayers. Here is how we can donate to his campaign:
Vince Micco for Congress
P.O. Box 374
Rutherford, N.J. 07070
The website will be up in a few days where donations can be taken online at:
www.votevince.com
Telephone: 201-575-9394
GO VINCE!!!
FRiend,LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THIS PATRIOT!!!
Vince Micco - Iraq War Veteran - For Congress - Official Website
Most certainly will. Thanks for the donation info.
Glad you've posted a clickable for http://www.votevince.com/.
Vince told me in a phone conversation a few minutes ago that the website would have info for donations in a few days.
He was excited to know we are interested in his campaign.
See my post #10.
Let's spread the word!
Will do. Thanks!
Didn't ask him! (slapping forhead)
See post #10
See post #10
I'll probably be voting Libertarian this year, or if they're not on the ballot, not at all. Good luck to him though, he might as well be running in the Soviet Union. It's nice to see a conservative running in this state, as opposed to the pro-gay, pro-abortion RINO Kean.
"It's nice to see a conservative running in this state, as opposed to the pro-gay, pro-abortion RINO Kean."
Couldn't agree more. I bet that he also isn't afraid to be seen standing next to the Vice President (unlike Kean.)
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