Adler and Myers go head-to-head in 3rd District debate

MOUNT HOLLY - The debate is underway here in the 3rd Congressional District between Medford Mayor Chris Myers and state Sen. John Adler (D-Camden), and military issues and the economy dominate the dialogue early in the auditorium of Rancocas Valley Regional High School.

No surprise, given this district, which is home to Fort Dix, and given the hosts of this debate - Veterans for Education, a group of military veterans who attend Rutgers-Camden.

Myers, a Republican, and Adler, his Democratic counterpart, are vying to replace veteran U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-Burlington), who is retiring at the end of this term.

Taking the first question, Adler says he would be able to better represent veterans returning from the warzone of Iraq and Afghanistan because of his background. His father died when he was young. He knows how to listen.

Myers, a combat veteran, says he can relate to the troops. He's created jobs as an executive at Lockheed Martin. Adler, he points out, never sponsored any veteran-benefiting legislation until he decided to run for Congress.

The crowd applauds Myers.

Adler, in the next question, goes after Bush.

"We all know the Bush administration has not implemented exisitng programs that aren't being funded for our brave men and women in uniform," says Adler.

The applause is just as loud on the other side.

Myers stays on Adler's state voting record, trying to depict his opponent as a tax and spend Trenton insider.

"Our mantras in New Jersey are mandate and tax," says Myers. "We're ranked 49th in business friendly. ...The senator hasn't walked the walk in New Jersey. How do we expect him to walk the walk in New Jersey?"

Adler punches back.

"He's never cut a tax in his life," he says. "You've raised taxes year after year after year."

Gaining another applause line, Adler acts like Myers feigns astonishment that Myers would bash New Jersey by suggesting that the economic climate here is dire.

"Thousands of people are moving here and want to live here," says Adler.