Timmerman Jousts with Incumbent Democrat over the Economy, Jobs

Statement

Republican challenger Ken Timmerman crossed swords with incumbent Democrat Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. in a debate on Friday sponsored by the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Sparks flew on a wide variety of domestic issues facing Marylanders, as Timmerman challenged his opponent to defend a record of massive debt and spending increases during his 10 years in office.

"Democrats have been in charge of Congress since January 2007," Timmerman said. "And yet, they did nothing to prevent the economic crash" of 2008 or to fix the problems after the fact. "They've had their chance. Now it's time for a change."

Timmerman reminded the audience that Rep. Van Hollen regularly boasts of his role in crafting the Obamacare legislation with its 159 new government programs and 16,000 new IRS agents. "Obamacare is going to cost close to $3 trillion over ten years," Timmerman said. "That's three times what President promised us it would originally cost."

Timmerman pledged that the first vote he would cast as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 8th District would be to repeal Obamacare, "which is big government gone wild."

Timmerman reminded seniors in the audience that the legislation Van Hollen helped draft cuts $716 billion in Medicare benefits to current seniors, while making it more difficult for tomorrow's seniors to find a doctor.

"I talk to a lot of docs as I have been out on the campaign trail up in Frederick and Carroll counties, as well as down here, and they are telling me that Obamacare will force them to leave their practice," Timmerman said.

Timmerman roasted his Democrat opponent for his failure as a member of the Congressional Super-committee to find a compromise to cut the deficit.

Choking up as he mentioned the birth of his first grandson earlier that morning, Timmerman said, "And that baby, the moment he opened his eyes, was born with $50,000 in debt. That is a national disgrace. Thank-you, Chris Van Hollen."

Timmerman offered a simple prescription for getting the American economy moving: "Get the government out of the way so small businesses, private industries and farmers can create jobs."

"It's time to stop demagoguing the issues," Timmerman said. What we need are "red, white and blue solutions supported by 60 to 70% of Americans," not massive social reforms "rammed down the throat of the American people on a partisan basis."

Rep. Van Hollen was visibly uncomfortable with the criticism delivered by Timmerman and several times tried to cut him off until someone from the crowd shouted out, "Stop interrupting."

The two also jousted over the future of Social Security, defense spending, and their views of the military as well.

"I have a plan that will create millions of jobs and enhance our national security, by transforming safe abundant U.S. produced natural gas, which my opponent would like to lock down into the ground, along with President Obama," Timmerman said, referring to his proposed legislation to promote U.S.-produced Methanol, made from natural gas, as an alternative automotive fuel.

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