OHW: Terry, White square off at first forum

Robynn Tysver, Omaha World-Herald
March 2, 2010

Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Terry portrayed himself Monday as the congressional candidate most likely to stand up against President Barack Obama.

Democrat Tom White argued he was the one most likely to bring about change.

Terry and White spoke at a candidate forum in Millard. It was the first time the two have appeared together since they both began running for Congress.

It was, however, not a debate.

The two spoke at separate times during the 90-minute forum, which also featured school board, state legislative and State Treasurer candidates.

The likely campaign between White and Terry is considered the premier political race in Nebraska this election cycle.

A state senator, White is trying to deprive Terry of a seventh term representing the Omaha-area 2nd Congressional District.

A third candidate, Matt Sakalosky, also appeared at the forum.

A Republican, Sakalosky hopes to score a major upset over Terry in the GOP primary.

Sakalosky is a supporter of the Tea Party movement, which blames both major parties for the nation's debt and its economic crisis.

“Both parties have been culprits in the type of debt we've been accruing,” said Sakalosky, a health care consultant.

The forum, one of the first of the campaign season, was sponsored by the Millard Business Association. It attracted about 150 people.

The primary is set for May 11, followed by the general election on Nov. 2.

White argued that Nebraskans need to send a new face to Washington, D.C., if voters want change.

“If we're going to change it, if we're going to fix it, we need to change the people we send to Washington,” White said.

He also argued that he was not a partisan Democrat, noting that he has crossed swords with fellow Democrat and Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle over a sales tax proposal.

White has proposed a state and city sales tax exemption for infrastructure projects that result from federal mandates, such as the sewer reconstruction work planned in Omaha to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.

“I'll always reach across the aisle, and I'll always work for Nebraskans,” White said.

Terry said he has spent much of the past year working in opposition to much of Obama's legislative agenda.

He said he would continue to oppose Obama's health care plan, any proposed tax increases and any attempt to control carbon emissions through what some call cap-and-trade legislation.

Most of Obama's legislative agenda would expand the federal government, Terry said.

“We have to stop the power grab by those in power in Washington, D.C.,” he said.

The congressman also said he would focus his efforts on stabilizing the nation's economy and reducing its debt.

“We need to start engaging people in discussions on how to trim entitlements,” Terry said. “And Congress needs to show some fiscal discipline.”

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