Middle East topics prominent in Lance-Stender debate

By Jason Cohen

September 26, 2008

The JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains held its first ever Congressional Candidates Debate, featuring Republican Senator Leonard Lance and Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender.

The event, held Sep. 16, was hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey. The Nov. 4 election is to fill the seat vacated by retiring Republican Mike Ferguson.

Stender is in her fourth term as assemblywoman and is the vice chair of the public works commission. She served as Mayor of Fanwood and as a Union County freeholder before winning a State Assembly seat in 2001. Stender came within one percent of unseating Ferguson in 2006. She has three children, one grandchild, and lives wither husband Richard in Fanwood where she has lived her entire life.

"Wall street is in chaos, our economy is in shambles, we are at record prices for gas, our world has become unsafe, and it is time for us to change," Stender said. "Access to the American dream is what we want for everyone."

She said she plans to bring change to the country, fix the economy, create new jobs, and provide quality affordable healthcare. 

Lance served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1991 to 2001, where he was the appropriations chair from 2000 to 2001 and the budget vice chairman from 1995 to 1999. He held the position of minority leader of the Senate from 2004 to 2007.

Currently, he is on the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, the Legislative Services Commission and the Budget and Appropriations Committee, and is the Republican Budget Officer. Lance resides in Hunterdon County with his wife, Heidi.

Lance said he believes in fundamental reform, is pro-choice, favors stem cell research, and pressed the need for domestic violence shelters.

"I am in support of Israel and the danger of the weapons in Iran, I am opposed to raising taxes, and more importantly, I have a proven track record of fundamental reform," Lance said.

He said the country's greatest challenge is its $10 trillion debt.

"Over the past eight years, we have lost the trust in our country's system and we need to restore trust in our country," Lance said. "People of this country need to feel that their bank is sound."

"The Bush administration has killed the economy and we need to restore trust, which is why I am running," he added.

The first question asked to the two candidates was about Israel.

Stender said there is no better friend for America than Israel.

"I visited there, and there is no better experience, and sight," she said. "Seeing Muslims, Jews, and Christians walking side by side is just great."

Lance said Israel is a true friend of America's and he is deeply concerned about Iran.

"We will not negotiate with Iran, and the Palestinians need to recognize Israel," he said.

The candidates also discussed climate change. 

"I believe in global warming, it is serious, and we are the cause of it," Lance said.

Lance said he has a five-point energy plan, though is opposed to drilling offshore, especially off the New Jersey coast.

"We need to make it a priority so that whoever is elected next year we will be energy independent," he said.

Stender is also opposed to drilling off the Jersey coastline, and said she plans to invest in alternative sources of fuel.

"We need to stop giving tax breaks to big oil companies and require higher fuel efficiency," Stender said.

Lance and Stender then debated Iran and its threat to Israel and America.

"Iran is a terror and we made the mistake of going to Iraq, which made Iran a great threat to Israel and the world," Stender said.

She supports withdrawing the American troop presence in Iraq and negotiating with Iranian leaders. 

Lance said he does not favor negotiating with Ahmadinejad.

"He is a thug and a terrible person," Lance said.

He said Iran is working toward achieving nuclear weapons and sponsoring terrorism in Iraq.

The next issue at hand was poverty.

"Poverty in this country is intolerable, particularly for our children," Lance said.

Lance said the healthcare system must be fixed and made accessible to all Americans.

"There must be a guaranteed healthcare plan for all Americans," he said. "Small employers can't afford Medicare and Medicaid, and people live without the right to healthcare."

Stender said Lance voted against the increase in state minimum wages.

 "If we are going to restore the middle class we need to stop giving tax breaks and moving jobs overseas," Stender said.

She said the middle class needs to be given quality tax breaks.

"We need to get out of the war and fix families at home," Stender said. 

"Healthcare is a top priority and we need to reduce costs for it in our system," Stender said.

She said it is a colossal failure that Muhlenberg hospital closed.

"We need to offer a system with options, where a person can buy a plan based on their ability to pay," she said. 

Lance said there are 47 million people without healthcare, and coverage by employers should be expanded.

"Minimum wage should be increased nationally, and we have to help small businesses where workers don't get healthcare," Lance said.

The last issue of the debate was the genocide taking place in Darfur.

"What is going on in Darfur is tragic and America as a nation needs to do more to respond to the situation there," Stender said, adding that the U.S. should make a sharper push for economic sanctions on the Sudanese government. "Our world and the United Nations need to come together and provide better humanitarian aid for Darfur."

"The president of Sudan needs to be indicted by the war crimes tribunal," Lance said. "We should do everything we can to make sure he is brought to justice and not turn a blind eye anymore to what is going on in places like Darfur."

Lance concluded his remarks for the evening by saying that America is crying out for reform, and he can provide it.

"I am not in favor of raising taxes and will vote my conscience in D.C.," he said. "I believe in what Lincoln said -- mankind's last best hope on earth is a moderate Republican."

"My opponent's party put America in this mess for the past eight years," Stender countered.

As a country, she said, we have a real opportunity to move forward and get away from the last eight years, she said.  

"I want to say to my grandkids I fixed the American dream, brought our troops home, fixed the energy, assisted Israel, and have offered better quality healthcare," Stender said.

Doctor Michael Margolin of Westfield said he felt pleased because Lance was more moderate than he feared, and if elected he would represent the community well.

"Stender's point that the Republicans have the blame for the mess in the country was the most powerful argument of the evening," Margolin said. 

Michael Illions, a conservative Republican of Iselin said they both shared similar stances on too many issues.

"Lance stood out on foreign policy because of his sanctions, but other than that there was really no difference," he said.

"He said what needs to be done around the world more than her and said he would use force if necessary," Illoins added.

Julie Liddell of Westfield said Lance's grasp of the issues stood out.

"Lance had knowledge, Linda Stender was good at talking," Liddell said.

The sponsors of the debate were: the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation league of New Jersey, Community Relations Committee of United Jewish Communities of Metrowest N.J., Congregation Beth Israel, Jewish Community Relations Council of Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, the N.J. State Association of Jewish Federations, Temple Emanu-El of Westfield, Temple Har Shalom, Temple Sholom, Westfield Chapter of Hadassah, The Workmen's Circle, and the YM-YWHA of Union.