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Sunday, May 11, 2008 | 2 a.m.
The campaign for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District is just beginning, as Republican Rep. Jon Porter and Democratic state Sen. Dina Titus prepare to face off in what will be one of the most competitive races in the country.
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- Republican Rep. Jon Porter on the theme of his campaign.
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- Porter talks about oil prices.
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- Porter on the war in Iraq.
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- Democratic state Sen. Dina Titus on the theme of her campaign.
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- Titus talks about issues she wants to address.
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- Titus talks about energy.
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Both national parties have targeted the pinwheel-shaped district, which includes most of Clark County and its growing suburbs. Evenly split in voter registration two years ago, the district now sports a significant Democratic edge, and the parties’ campaign committees see it as a bellwether for the Southwest — and perhaps the country.
The Sun asked both candidates to raise the curtain on the campaign by naming the six issues they will put front and center — and how they intend to address them in Congress.
With consumers paying record prices at the gas pump and millions of homeowners tangled up in the national mortgage crisis, Porter and Titus plan to talk a lot about the economy. Both candidates also cited the war in Iraq, health care and energy as top priorities.
Titus said she was content identifying just those four issues.
Porter rounded out his list with immigration and taxes — two issues he used against his Democratic opponent, Tessa Hafen, in 2006.
Economy
Nevada is fertile ground for the economic debate, particularly as it applies to the subprime mortgage crisis: The state has had the highest foreclosure rate in the country for 15 months.
The candidates are largely on the same page.
Porter broke with his party last week to vote for a Democrat-sponsored housing rescue package. “We have people who are struggling to pay their bills and take care of their families,” he said. “If we can help Wall Street, we can help families.”
Titus supports the same legislation. She also cited her support, as state Senate minority leader, for capping property taxes in Nevada.
“You’ve got to look for some break for the middle class,” Titus said. “You can’t just have a tax break for the very wealthy and big corporations.”
War in Iraq
The candidates have starkly different views of how to end the war.
“We have a responsibility to finish what we started,” said Porter, who wasn’t in Congress when it authorized the president to use force in Iraq. “We need to make sure we get this job done as quickly as possible so we can get our troops home.”
The United States now needs to stabilize Iraq because it is a critical partner in “keeping that region of the world in check,” Porter said.
Titus said the Bush administration is “continuing (the war) with no plan for success and no accountability.” She advocates an immediate troop withdrawal that leaves remaining forces “safe and secure.”
She added: “We need to stop spending that $5,000 a second over there to build an infrastructure when you need an infrastructure here.”
Health care
Nevada has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, and is now at the center of a public health crisis, with 50,000 people advised to seek testing for hepatitis and HIV because of an outbreak of hepatitis C stemming from poor procedures at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada.
Porter firmly opposes a government-run health care system, calling it “socialized medicine.” He said further government involvement in the industry would lead to DMV-level service, with patients waiting in long lines for substandard care. More competition among insurers is good for consumers, he said.
Still, Porter said the government should promote preventive care and make coverage more affordable for small businesses.
Titus leans toward supporting a universal health care system that is not mandated but would cover children. She cited her own bill in the Nevada Senate that created Nevada Check-Up, a state program for uninsured children. (Porter voted against expanding the federal health program for uninsured children last year — before voting for it. He said that under the first draft of the bill 40,000 seniors in the district would have lost benefits.) Titus also said she supports the importation of prescription drugs from Canada.
Energy
Porter, whose environmental record is improving, said the government should invest in renewable energy technology, with the goal of breaking the country’s addiction to foreign oil.
“We’ve sold our soul to rogue nations,” Porter said. “We need to be dependent on ourselves.”
Porter supports the Republican plan to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
As a Boulder City councilman and mayor, Porter said he supported a plan for a solar-energy farm, which came to fruition.
Titus said she has been a leader on energy and environmental issues in the state Senate and would continue that role in Congress. She sponsored bills in the 1990s that offered incentives for homeowners who invested in solar or wind systems. Titus supports redirecting tax breaks for oil companies to renewable energy research.
Immigration
Porter says immigration reform is the subject he’s asked about most when speaking with constituents. He supports a guest worker program but no path to citizenship. “I’m against amnesty,” he said.
Taxes
Citing the $3 trillion, Democrat-backed spending plan approved by the House this year, Porter said Democrats are responsible for the “largest tax increase in the history of the country.” The plan increased spending on domestic programs such as education, health care, veterans’ benefits and new energy technology while allowing some of the Bush tax cuts for wealthy Americans to expire.
“A tax increase is a tax increase,” Porter said.
He said the spending will cost Nevada taxpayers an additional $3,000 per person.
It is blatantly obvious that Porter is going to try and use the same tactic he has now utilized twice to get elected - pull the wool over the eyes of the citizens of C.D. #3 and tell them what he thinks they want to hear just to stay in office - it won't work this time!
This cycle the citizens of C.D. #3 need to listen closely to what Porter says, then take the time to look at his factual voting record - something Porter is hoping voters don't do.
The 30,000 Veterans in C.D. #3 need to know the facts - and the facts are Porter has been little more than a political puppet and Bush bag-boy!
Porter has voted AGAINST pay raises and bonuses for OUR Troops! Porter has voted AGAINST getting OUR Troops the critical equipment they needed in a timely manner! Porter has voted AGAINST much needed increases for our Military Families! Porter has voted against increasing educational benefits for our vets (until it became apparent the bill would pass even with Porter's opposition) - now that he's running for office again, oh, yeah, now he's for it? Porter has voted, time and again, AGAINST fully funding the V.A. and taking care of our Disabled Vets!
So, now he's passing out old awards, like Purple Hearts, just to get a politically self-serving photo-op that he can point to and say "See, I support the troops" - while he continues to keep them in harms way in an unethical, illegal, unnecessary, immoral and Unjust War in Iraq!
Porter simply doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to Iraq. He states, "we must finish what we started" and "the U.S. needs to stabilize Iraq" - this is an insult to our troops! Our military has finished what it started by bringing a U.S. sponsored dictator to justice - and it's the job of the Iraqi people and the Iraqi police and the Iraqi military and the Iraqi politicians to stabilize Iraq - not us!
That's the problem with Porter - he just does not get it - and the reason Porter doesn't get it because he doesn't care about anyone but his wealthy donors and corporate cronies! Like Bush he now talks-the-talk about bringing home our troops - but, in truth, Bush and Porter are all about making money, oil money, contracting money, and sub-contracting money - money, Money, MONEY!
Porter is just playing politics and trying to soften his image and hoping the citizens don't check the facts about his time in Congress - representing Washington in Nevada instead of doing his job and serving Nevadans and representing them in Washington!
I live in C.D. #3 and have suffered under Porter for too many years already - and I no longer believe a single word that comes out of his mouth! Anybody that thinks Porter really cares about anything beyond getting re-elected had better check the FACTS!
Porter is the epitome of the kind of radical, right wing, neo-con nut-case that has gotten us into the economic mess we're in today! It's time to hold Porter accountable and VTBO (Vote This Bum Out)!
Typical stupid Demorat drivel. It doesn't surprise me coming from Johanthan. While you relax with your paid pension and disability the rest of us actually have to keep working to pay you to sit here and rant!
In case you didn't know it. Over 80% of the country Democrats and Republicans are against illegal immigration.
I personally think Porter is TOO liberal for my taste but his focus on illegal immigration and
Dean Hellers call for English only will be a hot topic for this race.
In regards to Iraq, I'm in favor of getting out and letting them pay their own bills but I'm not stupid enough to turn it over to the Iranians like you are!!! We've won the war, now it's a question of protecting OUR country from Iran and
what they would do to highjack the oil. YES, OIL!
You know, that commodity which the Demorats refuse to let us drill for in our own country even though we have the largest reserves in the world!!! If it wasn't for stupid Demorats we wouldn't be in this position! They are even stupid enought to oppose Wind and solar power
because of the environment!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
As to Dina Taxus, she is a double dipping government employee who is ONLY concerned with more benefits for her and her government employee friends. (We know, you are one of these
so of course you will vote for her!)
I'm sure they'll bring out the tape where she tries to threaten a student who DIDN'T support her for Governor.
"I'm not happy!" Remember????
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!!! YEEEEHAHHHH!!!!!
P.S. $2,200 a month is PLENTY for Vets education benefits. Why don't you use yours and go out and earn a living to pay for some of those benefits
which allow you the leisure to sit around all day and whine about not enough government benefits for yourself????
Nice Helen, way to attack a Vet for asking for benefits. Jon Porter is TOO liberal?..lol. I think even George W. would laugh at that one. The English only issue is always a good side-show to drag out each election to get people to vote your way because they disagree on the real, major issues. John McCain fought for english only laws and then made a Spanish language website when he needs their donations and support. Who are you to decide what is PLENTY for vets education? I think what we have done to our service men and women from this war and others is disgraceful. They may receive government benefits but you need to remember that it is because of their courage and bravery that we even still have a government!!! I do not even know this man, but to bash a vet like you did above is uncalled for and sad. Belittle a vet for taking disability. Go on racist tirades about how illegals have ruined our country. Come up with clever lines like "Dina Taxus". IT WONT WORK THIS TIME, HELEN, AMERICA AND CD3 ARE SICK OF THE PETTINESS. We need real answers, a real vision, and an independent voice in Washington. Porter has been Bush's lackey and despite what you believe, I do not think CD3 likes what George Bush has done. Dina Titus will give voice to this district and will represent regular Nevadans. She will help the vets you disparage in this article even though she was against the war they fought. She will do this because she has principles; it is the right thing to do and they are American heroes. Before you rant about benefits to vets and illegal immigrants, maybe you should write a letter to Jon Porter asking him why he supports big oil and the Iraqi economy more than he does Nevada's struggling economy. Ask him why he flip-flopped on child health care and the environment in an election year.
It hurts to read hateful comments like yours, but it also makes me feel good to know how out of touch the few devout members of your party really are. I cant wait until November. Let the games END.
Helen Wells how dare you disparage a disabled veteran madam - have you no shame or sense of decency nor compassion for those that have provided and protected your freedoms?
People like Porter and you Helen Wells are why every generation of vets have been screwed when it came time to retire on a paltry pension, or apply for their meager V.A. disability - it's just sad, and has a caused a national shame that is about to turn into a national nightmare!
Helen you are sadly typical of those greedy, selfish souls - and people like Porter who say they support the troops, but, in fact, never had any intention of paying the full price for peace when our warriors come home - they want everything for free - and freedom just isn't free! You have no idea what we mean when we use words like DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY, or CORPS!
That is why, though I could have gone to college and avoided military service, I, instead chose to join the Army at 18 and volunteered to go to Vietnam - and we Vietnam Vets are still getting disparged to this day by pathetic people like Helen Wells and pandered to by politicians like Porter!
That was my first major decision as a young adult - and I most certainly did not do it for the benefits! I did it because I believed it was the right thing to do, and to keep my little brother from having to go to war if the draft was extended and the war wasn't ended! I did it simply because it was the right thing to do!
I would happily trade what little I receive in benefits for the healthy, strong body, heart and mind I once had and the ability to put back on the uniform of my beloved country, report for duty, pick up my weapon, stand muster and go, again, into harms way to fight for freedom, protect the peace and defend democracy - and I would do it for people like "anewkindofpolitics" (NOT for people like Helen Wells or Jon Porter)!
BTW: I do volunteer work, as I am able, like advocate for veterans rights. Just so you know I received the same "full ride" G.I. Bill educational benefits that my father (and John McCain) received when I came home - and that is not what our newest generation of vets is getting - they're getting SCREWED and are lucky if they get HALF what was promised!
Today's veterans are getting cheated, again, because of politicians like Porter and people like Helen Wells that do NOT sincerely give a damn - these are the immigrants we should truly fear that have infiltrated and undermine our society and government!
So, MADAM Helen Wells, since patriots strongly support everyone's 1st Amendment rights to freedom of expression (including the right of mean, bitter idiots to spew stupidity) - I shall firmly remind you that we have also provided you with a 5th Amendment right to remain silent - this is especially helpful when you have no idea what the hell you're talking about!
Oh, and thanks for proving my point that NOT everyone really supports our troops, military families and vets!
AMEN. People like Helen drape themselves in a self rightous cloak of patriotism while forgetting entirely what it means to be patriotic. To argue that vets are abusing the system is absurd. This is probably the same type person who is all for wars but has never made the sacrifice of serving. Then they have the nerve to question our vets and say they are gaming the system. You are sad, Helen, you want all the riches, glory, and power that come with being an American but don't want to help those who protect that power. If theres one thing we should all agree on it is that when it comes to caring for our vets there's no help, benefit, or expense that is too great; we should do whatever it takes to help these brave men and women who have sacrificed their own freedom and youth to fight for our way of life. If it were not for this man that you have attacked, Helen, you would not be able to spew such venomous hatred. It is because of our vets tremendous sacrifices that you have the freedom to say the absurd things you say without being punished, jailed, or tortured. At least for that you should be thankful. Sheesh...some people never cease to amaze me...
And Helen, way to admit we are staying in Iraq because of oil. I wish Jon Porter and George W. Bush would have been as honest about that as you are; if they would have been we'd have never gotten into that quagmire in the first place. Oil is not worth an ounce of American blood- ride a bike.
Thanks "anewkindofpolitics" and let me say we all knew that going into Bagdahd (during the First Persian Gulf War) would have resulted in a quagmire - and we've got Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfield on tape saying so!
In the minds of the military, Saddam Hussien (who America put into power and supported and sold the chemical weapons he used against the Kurds) was not worth a single drop of blood from one American soldier!
Still our great military members will go anywhere, anytime, under any conditions and carry out their mission by doing their duty and following their legal orders - what is so amazing, is that they will do so even when they know in their hearts that the Commander In Chief, the President of the United States, is a village idiot a majority of idiots elected!
It is because of people like Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Rice, Porter and Helen that I, now, say I've never been so proud AND ashamed to be an American and Veteran!
Again, thanks for speaking up and supporting vets - if most Americans were like you, we would not have any Homeless Vets and there would be no need for Veterans Advocates or Activists like me!
Then, I could retire and enjoy a little peace in what little is left of my fore-shortened life. Sadly, because of pathetic people like Helen Wells, I'll probably have to fight for the rest of my life until I take my last breath - and, even then, someone like Helen Wells will complain about the cost of a paupers funeral and being cremated and buried in a Veterans Cemetary - maybe, after I'm buried, I'll finally find some peace?
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