May

23

Not So Frank: Congressman Wolf Refuses to Debate

Filed Under Debate, Frank Wolf, Press Release, Republicans | Leave a Comment

Contact: Michael Parrish

540-539-7733 or vern@mckinleyforcongress.com
Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District has not faced a Republican primary challenge since he first won his seat as part of the “Reagan Wave” in 1980. Today, he faces strong criticism from many conservatives for turning from the “Reagan Values” that he once campaigned on. Vern McKinley, Republican challenger in the 10th district, is running a campaign on these issues. McKinley is an experienced policy expert who would bring vast federal government, international and private sector experience to Congress, along with a vision of limited government.

At least four independent efforts have been made over the past few weeks to organize a debate of the issues between Congressman Wolf and McKinley: the Politics Hour on WAMU with Kojo Nnamdi; the “Road to…” show on FCAC Channel 10; the Sterling Foundation; and the Loudoun County High School Young Republicans, all of which were turned down by the Congressman. The 10th Congressional District has a long-standing history of political debates. During Congressman Wolf’s early campaigns in the 1970s then-Congressman Fisher made himself available for debates several times against then-challenger Frank Wolf. Next week McKinley will debate the two Democratic Candidates in the 10th Congressional district to get out his message. This week he also debated the Libertarian Party candidates for President, including Bob Barr and Mike Gravel.

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May

23

Vern McKinley Debates Barr, Gravel, Root

Filed Under 2008 Election, Debate, Foreign Policy, Immigration, Press Release, big government | Leave a Comment

Vern McKinley Debates Others Because Frank Wolf Won’t

Ashburn, VA – Reason Magazine held a debate on Libertarian and Republican principles on May 20th. In attendance were Vern McKinley, Mike Gravel, Bob Barr, and Wayne Allen Root. Each of them answered a variety of questions from Reason Magazine’s reporter David Weigel and took questions from the audience.

McKinley talked about immigration, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, limiting the role of government, and drug policies. He said that he would have voted for a more targeted attack of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, but would oppose any type of nation building. As for Iraq, he would have voted “no” to go in.

Each of the candidates got to express their opinion on getting rid of a department and Vern chose Commerce, Energy, and Education. He said that Republicans talked about it in the 80s and 90s, but “this time around, we need to get serious and get rid of them all,” McKinley stated.

On the topic of drug prohibition, McKinley stated that the Constitution leaves that issue up to the states.

For those who weren’t there and would like to watch it online, can do so at http://www.reason.tv/video/show/431.html

For further information please contact Michael Parrish at 540-539-7733 or mparrish03@gmail.com.

McKinley is a financial expert who advises foreign countries, has worked for the FDIC, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and has done policy analysis for the Cato Institute and the American Enterprise Institute. He is running for the Republican nomination in the 10th District of Virginia for the House of Representatives. The primary is scheduled to be held on June 10, 2008.

May

23

Vern McKinley Asserts His Conservatism In Interview At Miller Politics Blog

Filed Under 2008 Election, Earmarks, Economics, Frank Wolf, News Items, Republicans, big government | Leave a Comment

Vern McKinley was interviewed by Lee “Ben” Miller for the Miller Politics blog yesterday.

MP: “Why did you decide to challenge incumbent Frank Wolf for the Republican nomination?”

McKinley: “I observed the 2006 election and saw a ‘Big Government Republican’ and a ‘Big Government Democrat’ offered by the two major parties. There was an ‘urban legend’ in the District that Congressman Wolf was a good limited government, fiscal conservative and he perpetuated this myth. I took a Vote-Smart survey that showed I agreed with him only about 25 to 30% of the time. This led me to research his record further and everything I found out about him as well as his votes subsequent to my initial research has shown that my decision to challenge him was a good one.”

Read the full interview at Miller Politics.