On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Mark Zaccaria sat down with John Gizzi, White House Correspondent and Political Editor of Human Events, to discuss the race in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District. Here is an except from the article by Gizzi:
One of ‘Stupak Dozen’ Under Fire in Little Rhody
As the only paraplegic in Congress, Democrat James Langevin is a national figure. The former Rhode Island secretary of state (who was injured in a accident with a gun while a youngster) is a recognized spokesman for disabled Americans and his record of voting the liberal line on spending while remaining pro-life has been enough to make Langevin a fairly safe incumbent in Rhode Island’s 2nd District.
Not so after the healthcare vote. Langevin was widely considered one of the “Stupak Dozen”—the 11 House Democrats, along with Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) who were considered “in cement” against voting for a healthcare bill that did not include an airtight ban on tax funding for abortion such as that contained in the measure that passed the House in November.
“Actually, my opponent was one of the original Democrats who said he wouldn’t vote for a bill without the ban. He was before Stupak,” Republican nominee Mark Zacaria told three HUMAN EVENTS reporters over lunch last week, “And they all turned out to be sheep led by the leadership into voting for a bill without the ban they said was critical.”
In a district with a strong Roman Catholic population, Langevin’s slavishly going along with Nancy Pelosi and the other liberal House Democratic leaders is clearly working against him. Moreover, the Ocean State has the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation (Michigan is first) and this has translated into anger over the Administration’s weak economic policy and support for U.S. Air Force veteran and small businessman Zacaria.
As the Republican nominee against Langevin two years ago, Zacaria drew less than 40% of the vote in a campaign he freely admits was under-financed and poorly run. This time, the GOP hopeful has a crack professional team in his corner and, over the weekend, 20 Zacaria volunteers were in the field canvassing more than 500 households.
“And you bet the Tea Party movement is strong here!” Zacaria told my colleagues and me , “9 to 12, and the different ‘Tea Party’ groups had large rallies even before the healthcare vote and I try to speak to as many as I can.”
With no Senate seat up, the race for the House will have the top ballot line in Rhode Island., making the race between James Langevin and Mark Zacaria particularly well- worth watching.
Click Here to find the full article on the Human Events website.
