The gloves came off quickly Tuesday at a joint appearance between Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., and Republican challenger Keith Fimian, who is seeking to deny his 2008 rival a second term in Congress.
The key to growing jobs is to “reduce uncertainty,” Fimian told the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce gathering. “This is something that Gerry Connolly knows nothing about,” he said. “I am a friend of business. Gerry Connolly is not.”
Connolly, who served seven years on the Fairfax chamber’s board, noted his 20-year career in the private sector, including his last job as vice president of community relations for Science Applications International Corp.
“Other than that, my opponent’s right — I have no experience in the private sector,” Connolly joked.
The two dueled over whether Bush-era tax cuts, due to expire at the end of this year, should be made permanent. President Obama wants to permanently extend the cuts for all but the richest taxpayers, individuals earning more than $200,000 a year or families earning $250,000.
Connolly said he favors a temporary extension of the cuts for all Americans.
“I think we’re foolish to consider allowing any tax cuts to expire, given the fragility of the economy,” Connolly said, adding that the issue can be revisited in a year or two when the economy improves.
Fimian shot back that Connolly’s position on taxes was too vague.
“Either tax cuts are a good thing or they’re a bad thing,” he said.
Fimian harshly assailed Connolly through much of the debate, charging that the incumbent Democrat, who supported high-profile but controversial issues like health care reform and cap-and-trade environmental rules, had reversed his positions on spending and taxes.
“He will tell you things that are not true,” Fimian said. “He will tell you things that are outright lies. He will deceive you. There will be deceptions.”
Even moderator Bruce DePuyt seemed taken aback and offered Connolly a chance to respond.
“I think the kind of personal ad hominem attack you just heard,” Connolly said, “is what degrades the civility in politics.”
