mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com October 18, 2002
Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, came to Indianapolis on Thursday to campaign and raise cash for Rep. Julia Carson, D-Ind.
Just the thought of that pairing had Carson's Republican challenger, Brose McVey, shaking his head. "Julia Carson and Joe Lieberman agree on almost nothing," McVey said. The liberal Carson voted against the resolution authorizing President Bush to attack Iraq. Lieberman voted for it.
It's too obvious a contrast to hide, and Lieberman and Carson acknowledged their differences from the moment they began a news conference after a $250-per-person fund-raising luncheon and a $1,000-per-person reception.
"We don't always vote alike," Carson said, "but we think alike in terms of what's best for America." Lieberman agreed, saying, "Occasionally we do disagree on something, but we share the basic gratitude . . . that we were blessed and fortunate to be born Americans." The differences they and other lawmakers have over Iraq are ones of style, not substance, he suggested.
Lieberman said he knows Carson is "involved in a battle here," and with only a six-vote margin separating majority Republicans and minority Democrats in the House, the stakes are high.
Polls have shown Carson and McVey are in a statistical dead heat to represent the 7th Congressional District, which encompasses most of Marion County.
And both she and McVey are getting help from their national parties. Carson has another fund-raiser planned with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., a leader of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
McVey has gotten campaign help from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and has visits scheduled by two Cabinet members, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Secretary of Education Rod Paige. McVey is also hoping for a visit from someone with more clout -- Vice President Dick Cheney, if not President Bush.
But McVey was focusing on ideas Thursday. He held a news conference outlining his agenda, promising that if elected, he would focus on economic growth, education, health care for seniors and national security.
He also said he'd push for refundable tax credits that families could use to cover educational costs, from computers to tuition, and for a long-term care insurance program.
Campaign finance reports filed this week showed that as of Sept. 30, Carson and McVey had raised similar sums this year -- McVey has raised about $691,000; Carson, $674,000 -- but that she had far more left to spend. McVey's cash on hand was only about $86,000, while Carson had $591,000. she's saving up for a rainy day!
Libertarian Andy Horning did not need to file a report, as he had raised less than $5,000.