Adler and Runyan spar in first N.J. debate

U.S. Rep. John Adler (D., N.J.) and his Republican challenger, Jon Runyan, sparred over immigration, the war in Afghanistan, term limits, and the proper role of the federal government Wednesday during the first general-election debate in one of the nation's marquee House races.

Adler, a longtime state senator from Cherry Hill, was swept into office in 2008 - the first Democrat in generations to represent the Third District of New Jersey. Runyan, a former Eagles offensive lineman making his first run for political office, hopes to return the district to the GOP amid what polls say is anxiety over the country's direction.

At times the conversation grew heated as the two men faced off over the studio console at WPHT-AM (1210), with talk-show host Michael Smerconish in the middle firing questions.

Runyan contended that Adler had voted against the Obama administration's health-care overhaul bill only because the political winds shifted against it. In response, Adler seemed to question whether Runyan was prepared to serve in Congress.

"It's convenient that the first vote came down three days after Republican Chris Christie took this district by 17 percent" in the governor's race, Runyan said. He said Adler's attempts "to try to run back to the middle" would fail because he has voted with the position of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) 90 percent of the time.

"I've got to jump in," Adler said, "because it seems like Jon just got into his attack points his folks coached him to say." Adler said he had reservations early on in the health-care debate, saying that the bill did not do enough to control costs. He said he expressed his concerns to Pelosi and President Obama.

While Adler has voted with the speaker most of the time, such totals are typically swollen by procedural votes in which both sides of the aisle stick with their leadership. Adler was named one of the most "independent" Democrats in a study by Congressional Quarterly last year.

Asked by Smerconish to label themselves politically, Runyan said he was a "commonsense conservative" while Adler styled himself an "independent centrist."

Adler voted for the $787 billion stimulus program in early 2009, which Runyan said "obviously" has not worked to restart the economy. Tax cuts are the answer, he added.

Adler voted against the bank and auto company bailouts. Runyan said he also would have opposed them, though he did express support last December in an Inquirer interview.

On illegal immigration, both candidates agreed the federal government had not done enough to secure the nation's borders. Adler said there needs to be a comprehensive plan that would increase security on the border with Mexico and punish employers who hire illegals.

The Justice Department lawsuit against Arizona for its tough new law against illegal immigration is "political posturing and finger-pointing," Runyan said. "The federal government has not done its job, and Arizona is quite frankly frustrated and scared. . . . It's a cry for help."

He said he did not like the idea of comprehensive legislation on the issue. "Government does nothing big well," Runyan said. An overhaul would create "confusion," as with the health-care law.

The candidates disagreed on the recent action by Congress directing the Pentagon to end the don't-ask-don't-tell policy prohibiting openly gay people serving in the military.

"That's an easy call," Adler said. "If they're willing to serve . . . I don't care if they're gay or straight; they're Americans, and God bless them for protecting our country."

Runyan said that he did not have a problem with openly gay people serving in the military but said commanders in the field should make the decision, not Congress. He called the recent amendment ordering the Pentagon to end the policy "another example of politics where it doesn't need to be."

If he is elected, Runyan said, he would limit himself to four two-year terms in Congress. "I believe our forefathers did not intend for politics to be a career, much as John Adler has made it," Runyan said. "When you're there too long, you become detached from real people."

Responded Adler: "I hope Mr. Runyan doesn't have that dilemma, that he doesn't get elected."