The GOP takes an early aim at Carney

If you talk like a Republican, walk like a Republican and often vote like a Republican, but you’re a Democrat, your chance for survival may be threatened – at least in the 10th Congressional District.

Freshman Congressman Christopher Carney, less than six months into his first two-year term, is already the subject of radio and television ads that both praise and attack his performance to date.

Influential Republicans, anxious to win back what has been a traditional Republican seat, are already tossing around names of prospective candidates to challenge Carney. And, the race for his seat is one of the hottest topics in local and national political circles.

Carney, who has more than a year to go before seeking re-election, is the political newcomer from Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, and former college professor who handily defeated incumbent Republican Donald Sherwood in November.

He has voted against the Democratic majority on several key issues, but defends his action by saying that he refuses to “blindly follow any party lead.”

He opposes gun control, is pro-life and calls himself a “fiscal conservative” – a term not often applied to Democratic office holders.

But the lifelong Democrat, no matter how palatable he may appear to his constituents – is bracing himself for a stern challenge in next year’s race. Republicans hold a 5-to-4 registration edge in the district.

“First of all, I feel great about my first six months in Washington,” Carney said on Wednesday. “I grew up in what can be called a broken home – my dad was a staunch Democrat and my mom was an equally staunch Republican. Growing up in that house gave me an opportunity to see both sides of issues. That’s why, despite what the hatchet men have said about me, I’m a very conservative Democrat.”

When he arrived in Washington, Carney was appalled at what he termed “the enormous amount of waste.” He said he immediately went about trying to do what he could to curtail excessive spending.

“It drives me crazy,” he said. “We could be doing so much more for people if we didn’t have to pay two or three times for the same things.”

The name game

Carney sits on the Homeland Security Committee and chairs its Management, Investigations and Oversight sub-committee – a spot many feel is a coup for a freshman congressman.

“of my constituents,” Carney admitted. “Getting input from taxpayers and voters is critical for me. That’s why I will hold two town meetings per county (there are 13 in the 10th District) in my district before the next election. And I’m accessible via e-mail or phone. I want to be as open and honest as I can be with the people of my district. I’m working very hard to be as transparent as possible. I will listen to all concerns and I will take them back to Washington with me.”

But despite his performance and his determination to keep in touch with the people of his district, he will be challenged in November 2008.

Names that have surfaced on the Republican side include U.S. Attorney Thomas Marino of Lycoming County and Harold Flack of Diamond Manufacturing, a resident of Wyoming County.

“I can tell you, I gave it very serious consideration,” Flack said. “But I decided that it wouldn’t be the best thing for me and my family. I appreciate the encouragement I received from a lot people, but I can tell you I’m not going to run.”

Flack said he feels Carney is most vulnerable now. But, if Carney was elected to a second term, it would be extremely difficult to unseat him in future elections, Flack said.

“He’s (Carney) not palatable to Republican voters,” Flack said. “I don’t care how he votes or what he says. He was sent here by (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi and Company. I don’t believe for one minute that Carney is an independent. He’s a product of Pelosi; she found him, groomed him and made him a U.S. congressman.”

Flack said Carney won the seat as a result of what he termed Sherwood’s “horrid” behavior.

“And when you look at his record, you might think he doesn’t look too bad,” Flack said. “But you have to realize that Pelosi and the Democratic Party have given him a pass to allow him to vote like a Republican, especially on issues that won’t be decided by one or two votes.”

Jimmy Zambito, affable owner of Tony’s Restaurant in Kingston – a haven for political wags – agrees with Flack, calling Carney “a one-termer.” Zambito said the 10th District has always been Republican and it will be again after the next election.

“My customers feel the same way,” Zambito said. “Hey, this is an intelligent restaurant; no dummies eat here. But we serve Democrats too; at least they like good food.”

Tom Baldino, professor of political science at Wilkes University, said Carney is lucky to hold the seat, noting that if it weren’t for Sherwood’s missteps, a Democrat would never be elected in the 10th District.

“I think he got lucky, but he was smart enough to get in the race,” Baldino said. “These type of windows open so seldomly where an entrenched incumbent makes himself vulnerable.”

Baldino said Carney also had help from the national party because of the chance to regain control of the House of Representatives. And now that Carney is in office, Baldino said, the situation has changed in Carney’s favor to some extent.

“Well, first of all he doesn’t want to be perceived as too liberal and he certainly has accomplished that,” Baldino offered. “But at the same time he can’t alienate himself from the Democratic Party. That’s why you see Carney getting a pass on some issues that are sensitive to his home district, especially if his vote isn’t needed and would save some suffering at the polls.”

Baldino also feels if Carney wins a second term he will probably stay in Congress for as long as he wants.

“It’s called the sophomore surge,” Baldino said. “If the voters retain him for a second term that means they are pleased with his performance and his vote totals will continue to increase year by year.”

A tough crowd

One issue that Carney is being questioned about is his call for the resignation of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-Louisiana, who was recently indicted on 16 charges relating to a long-running investigation into bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering.

Carney said he was the first Democrat to call for Jefferson’s resignation and others have followed suit. But Carney has been criticized for voting to put Jefferson on the Homeland Security Committee prior to the indictment.

“There was a vote of acclamation for a slate of people to be placed on the committee,” Carney stated. “But the point is Mr. Jefferson never served on the Homeland Security Committee and I was the first Democrat to speak on the House floor to call for his resignation from Congress when the indictment was announced.”

Another Pennsylvania congressman, Tim Holden, D-Schuylkill County, faced similar opposition when he first ran for re-election in the early 1990s.

“My district is 60-40 percent Republican,” Holden said. “So I can feel (Carney’s) pain.”

Holden said he is impressed with Carney’s work ethic and his commitment to his constituents.

“Down at the Republican National Committee headquarters, they are looking at the numbers,” Holden said. “They see the Republican edge in registration and immediately Chris becomes a target. He’s a freshman congressman and they will make it a priority to try to unseat him.”

Holden said he feels the country’s Founding Fathers had a good idea when they decided to have districts elect their representatives.

“I’m really impressed by Chris and his performance in his first six months in office,” Holden said. “He’s on top of the issues, he’s informed and he has the ability to hold onto that seat for a long time. He’s doing everything right for the people of his district.”

And Carney doesn’t feel it’s fair to say that a Republican will take the seat back just because he or she is a Republican.

“It’s not clear-cut,” Carney said. “Frankly, the last election proved that what the people want is performance and integrity in their representative. They want leadership and honesty and openness.”

Without a party lead

“If (the Republicans) really thought that they could easily get this seat back, they wouldn’t be spending money already,” Carney said. “The fact that they have already spent around $100,000 tells me we are on the right track doing the job the 10th District voters want.”

Carney wouldn’t speculate on who might oppose him, stating he is confident he will be in Congress for many years to come.

“Sure the Republicans want more members of Congress,” Carney said. “It’s a numbers game for them. But I vote my district. That’s where I live and where I am personally. I do not and will not blindly follow any party lead.”

Democrats currently hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives and races like the 10th District will be the focus of many national leaders. Both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee are expected to make large advertising buys in support of candidates in this race.

Carrie James, regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said that while Carney has not touted the party line on all issues, he has represented his district well.

“Northeastern Pennsylvania is not a place where people will vote just because a candidate is Republican or Democrat,” James said. “They will vote for someone who is most like them. We are committed to Congressman Carney because we feel he is and will continue to be a valuable member of Congress.”

“Congressman Carney has and will continue to be an independent voice in Congress for the people of Pennsylvania’s 10th District,” Drew Hammill, deputy press secretary, said.

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Conservative-voting Democrat in Republican district is still vulnerable, watchers say.

The name game

A tough crowd

Without a party lead

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