Bartlett stands by record despite Dougherty's attacks

FREDERICK -- Republican Roscoe Bartlett defended his record in the U.S. Congress before his opponents could really get their attacks going during a Wednesday evening debate at Frederick Community College.

The virtual town hall for Maryland's 6th Congressional District featured former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty (D), Libertarian Gary Hoover, and the incumbent Bartlett.

"Jennifer is gonna accuse me of voting for and against a lot of things," said Bartlett only moments after Dougherty took her first shot. "You need to understand that bills in Congress are seldom single issue bills."

Bartlett described Congressional legislation as exceptionally large, often thousands of pages long.

"I could provide for you a long list of good things that I had to vote against because they were in bad company. And bad things I had to vote for because they were in overwhelming good company," said Bartlett.

Bartlett took a hard stance on illegal immigration, citing it as a national security issue.

"I have voted for every bill that put a wall on the border, every bill that put a fence on the border or put guards on the border," said Bartlett.

Dougherty challenged the incumbent's position, arguing he wasn't being truthful about his record. She said Bartlett  "waves the white flag of surrender" when it comes to enforcing immigration laws.

"Now Congressman Bartlett has been in Washington for 16 years. He's said that he's voted for every bill that supports illegal immigration or punishes undocumented workers for coming here," said Dougherty. "Then why last year did you oppose H.R. 4437 that clamps down on illegal immigration?"

Hoover said he was opposed to any type of national identification card and criticized the Democrats and Republicans for failing to tackle the issue.

"What we need is the government out of our life," said Hoover.

On energy policy, however, the candidates seemed to find common ground.

"I think we need a wide menu of options," said Dougherty, who added she could support limited offshore drilling as long as it was part of a "national strategy."

Hoover agreed with Dougherty and supported an array of alternative energy sources.

"Thirty-two years ago a guy by the name of Jimmy Carter said [we need] an alternative fuel source in order to never be held hostage by the Middle East again," said Hoover. "Here we are 32 years later and we're still being held hostage by the Middle East."

Bartlett called the energy policy a huge challenge, and pointed to a mention he received in Slate magazine for his record on the environment.

"I bought the first Prius in Maryland. I bought the first Prius in Congress," said Bartlett.

On the financial crisis, Bartlett felt the problems were caused in part by over regulation of financial markets.

"It's so easy to see that this was coming," said Bartlett of the country's financial situation.

Dougherty took the opportunity to pounce on Bartlett.

"You say one thing to us and you do another thing," said Dougherty. "We can't trust you anymore."

Hoover said there was a lack of regulation on the financial markets, before continuing with his attacks of the two major parties.

"Do you wanna trust the people that's been running this country for the last eight years or not?" asked Hoover. "If you do, then vote for one of them. If you don't, then it's time for a change, a real change. Vote for me."