Republicans running locally for congressional seats have complained that the Democratic incumbents have dodged debates, but as Election Day fast approaches, the GOP candidates got a chance to bask in the limelight with a former presidential candidate.
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R) of Texas shared the stage Oct. 9 at a rally at the University of Maryland, College Park, that attracted more than 250 supporters.
Paul endorsed Republican congressional candidates Peter James (Dist. 4) of Germantown, Richard Matthews (Dist. 2) of Baltimore, Steve Hudson (Dist. 8) of Silver Spring, Collins Bailey (Dist. 5) of Waldorf and Mike Hargadon (Dist. 7) of Woodstock.
"I'm here to give them support to do everything possible to help them win their campaign," Paul said.
The event was co-sponsored by the Maryland Students for Liberty, a political group that focuses on promoting libertarian ideals and supporting libertarian candidates.
Paul spoke about how he voted against the financial bailout and echoed his presidential campaign stump speeches of ending the Federal Reserve System, withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, and reducing taxes.
He also weighed in on the presidential election.
"The only debate between the two candidates is who can send troops into Afghanistan the fastest," he said.
The themes running throughout the rally were fiscal responsibility, opposition to the recent financial bailout and dissatisfaction with Capitol Hill. When candidates spoke on these issues, they were met with rousing applause, and, sometimes, standing ovations.
"How many people are satisfied with the job Washington is doing?" Bailey asked the crowd, which responded with a chorus of boos. "We need to kick out people on both sides of the aisle and return the House of Representatives to the ‘people's house.'"
James is running against incumbent Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Dist. 4) of Fort Washington. The race is a rematch of the special election in June in which Edwards won more than 80 percent of the vote. In both election cycles, James has focused on changing financial policies.
"We are about to see the money bomb go off," James said. "It's going to destroy our lives and our children's lives."
Both James and Hudson, who is running against Democratic incumbent Christopher Van Hollen Jr. in District 8, criticized their opponents for missing recent debates because they were tied up with negotiations leading up to the $700 billion bailout vote in Congress.
James called it a "travesty" that, he said, Edwards canceled at least three forum appearances that community groups had tried to set up. Hudson, meanwhile, called it a "poor choice" that Van Hollen passed up a League of Women Voters forum Oct. 2 to attend party caucuses on the bailout legislation. A staff member filled in for Van Hollen.
Despite the encouragement the Republican hopefuls received at the College Park rally, those in attendance weren't optimistic about their candidates' chances.
"Unfortunately, none of them are going to win," said Brandon Payne, a 2007 Maryland graduate and Alexandria, Va., resident.
Payne added that he was impressed to see a large crowd of young people in attendance, considering it was a Thursday evening and college students tend to be politically liberal.
Andrew Warden and Chris Berardi, both seniors at the university, said they didn't know much about the congressional candidates before the rally.
Warden said he probably wouldn't have voted for any of them had Paul not supported them.
The rally was a chance for candidates to provide support for each other, as well.
"We're here to encourage the other candidates," Bailey said. "We've got great guys running."
James said he was pleased with the turnout.
"What I was trying to do is get people to realize we have to take action," James said. "What's heartening is how many kids are getting out."
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