The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
www.charlotte.com

Rivals show divide to Piedmont Club
Rep. Hayes, challenger Kissell stake out opposing stances in visit

JIM MORRILL

Democrat Larry Kissell and Republican Robin Hayes disagreed over the war in Iraq, stem-cell research and the point of next week's election Tuesday during an appearance at the Charlotte Country Club.

The two spoke to the Piedmont Club, a group of mainly retired business and professional men, most of whom don't live in the 8th Congressional District.Their appearance came the same day a new poll by Elon University showed the war in Iraq and the economy the top concerns of voters in the district, which spans Charlotte to Fayetteville. It also found what could be good news for each candidate.

The survey of 410 residents (not necessarily voters) found 61 percent have confidence in Hayes, and 48 percent approve of the job he has done in Congress.

But the poll found 68 percent said it is "time to give new people a chance to serve" in Congress. And 41 percent said they would support the Democratic candidate, compared with 33 percent who said they would back the Republican.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Kissell on Tuesday sought to make the election a referendum.

"If you like what Washington has been doing, if you like the direction our nation is heading, then you vote to continue the same thing," he said. If not, "vote for change."

Hayes dismissed the suggestion.

"Washington is not on the ballot," he said. "Washington is not running. I love my job ... because of what I've been able to do for the district."

In response to a question, Hayes predicted victory in Iraq.

"Very clearly, there is an exit strategy in Iraq," he said. "It's called victory. ... We will win the war."

While Hayes opposes setting a timetable for reducing the number of U.S. forces in Iraq, Kissell said it's time to "phase out with honor."

He defined the war's goals as ridding the country of weapons of mass destruction, deposing Saddam Hussein and giving Iraqis a chance for democracy.

"We have stayed beyond our mission," he said.

The two candidates split over the question of stem-cell research. The issue jumped back into the news after actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, made a TV commercial for a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Missouri to support federal research on embryonic stem cells.

President Bush has restricted federal funding of stem-cell research.

Kissell said the restrictions mean the U.S. "could rapidly fall behind" other nations in pursuit of cures for diseases such as Parkinson's or juvenile diabetes.

Hayes said he prefers to let private industry, not taxpayers, pay for such research.

"If it were so promising," he said, "private industry ... would be actively spending money on it."