Second District Need Real Choice

Regarding the Feb. 21 letter “Criticism unfair to LoBiondo”:The writer asserts that U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, shouldn't be judged on his support of the Iraq war and on the assorted Bush scandals. He also seems to feel that it is not important that the Democrats run a credible candidate this year against LoBiondo.But the Iraq war is the key issue that our Congress should be judged on. Since President Bush is not on the ballot, yes, the 2006 congressional elections should be a referendum on Iraq and on the Bush administration. LoBiondo should be held accountable for his continued support of the war. But to do this, the Democrats in the 2nd District have to show some guts and not be scared off by LoBiondo's political war chest or the carefully engineered pro-LoBiondo soiree recently held in Atlantic City.The reason the 2nd District needs the Democrats to run a well-funded credible candidate is that LoBiondo avoids debates and doesn't respond to surveys like Project Vote Smart. Thus, without real campaign finance reform, it is very difficult for an unknown and underfunded opposition candidate to get his or her message across to the voters.This year, more than ever, voters deserve a real choice and a real discussion of the issues confronting our country. We need the Democrats to run a real campaign. This district needs democracy.

NORM COHEN

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, March 2, 2006