Experience tops calls for change, Terry says

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10309215

Published Monday | April 14, 2008
Experience tops calls for change, Terry says
BY TIM ELFRINK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Speaking Sunday at an Omaha forum with the two Democrats who want his job, Rep. Lee Terry countered their calls for change with examples of his leadership in Congress.

Terry, R-Neb., highlighted bipartisan successes from his nearly 10 years in the House as Democrats Jim Esch and Richard Carter — who will square off in a primary vote next month — each staked a claim as the better candidate to replace him in the 2nd Congressional District seat.

"It's not a popular word, but 'experience' does matter," Terry said. "Experience isn't just what you learn, but it's the relationships you develop. . . . I'm proud of those I've developed with my Republican colleagues, but also those relationships I've developed across the aisle."

Esch, who lost to Terry by 10 percentage points in 2006, criticized Terry's record and said that, with a struggling U.S. economy and the continuing war in Iraq, Nebraskans are ready for new national leadership.

"Everyone is in agreement we need change in Washington, that we need to start working together once again," said Esch, 32, who has a law degree from Creighton University and has been working for a real estate partnership.

Carter, an Air Force veteran making his first foray into politics, said his military experience and his expertise as an economics teacher make him the better-qualified candidate.

"We're at a critical juncture, and we need serious leaders with serious solutions to serious problems," said Carter, 30, of Bellevue. "We need someone with the experience to win this war on terror."

Answering questions on a wide range of topics, the candidates delineated differing plans on the war in Iraq, the economy and energy policy.


FULL story at link.