5 questions for Adam Brecht

Adam Brecht, a Public Relations executive and a former aide to U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY) and the late U.S. Senator John Heinz (R-PA), is running for U.S Senate from NY against Hillary Clinton in 2006.

The other possible candidates include Governor George Pataki, former U.S. Senate candidate Rick Lazio, Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, and the son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon, attorney Edward Cox.

Now, this is just my opinion, but I can't see Pataki running, Lazio is definitely not in (having lost to her in a landslide last time) and Pirro has husband-indicted-on-bribery-and-fraud-charges issues. As for Ed Cox, I'm willing to listen to his ideas except I can't even locate a website for his campaign and call me an internet-snob but I don't take a candidate seriously until they have a website.

Which leads us back to Adam Brecht. The Observer poked fun at his candidacy but then linked to a poll showing Adam at about 30% against Hillary, the same numbers as Pataki, Pirro, Lazio and the rest. So, why not Adam Brecht?

I realize there's over a year left for the NY State Republican party to install a Howard 'biggest landslide in a US Senate race in NY history' Mills type candidate but if they learned anything from the Schumer race (and I wouldn't put money down that they have) they'll let a natural primary take its course. Like I noted on Slantpoint's site, I want to see a primary. I want to know what NY Republicans stand for and I want to hear them say it.

I spoke to Adam Brecht today and found him interesting, sharp, well-spoken and a quick thinker. Don't rule him out just because he hasn't held elected office, Adam Brecht is one to watch.

1. What are your top 3 issues?

Healthcare- This is supposed to be Hillary’s signature issue and if that’s her signature issue then that’s one sloppy signature. My plan is to insure the uninsured in 10 years, without raising taxes, by creating a new generation of non-profit insurance companies based on charitable giving.

Military Strength- We need to abolish the Base Realignment and Closing Commission. NY can’t lose any more bases. We’re fighting a war on the homeland and we should not be closing bases on our soil. Bases should be converted to Homeland Security duties. We have new priorities and we can't be stuck with Cold War thinking.

Taxes- Eliminate federal income tax on small businesses that have 6 million or less in yearly revenue. Ultimately eliminate all corporate income tax and freeze the current personal rates. The US must be the best place in the world to do business. Eliminating corporate income tax gets us around the issue of outsourcing. It will make the US a more attractive place to do business.

2. What is your biggest criticism of Hillary?

Nothing has been delivered. She has no legistlative record at all. She has proudly proclaimed that she has gotten 300 million dollars in Homeland Security funding for NY. Montana and Wyoming get more money per capita than we do. We have taken the greatest hit from terrorism and should be getting more money. This is a major failing on her part. If we had a Republican senator who could work with the majority, things would be different. She has done nothing to decrease the tax burden. New Yorkers are the highest taxed people and we get back less than we send to Washington.

3. What does being a Republican mean to you?

It means Reagan era principles of small governmentt, deregulation of business, low taxes and military strength.

Follow-up question: Will you engage Hillary at all on social issues?

I consider healthcare a major social issue. I want us to cure Cancer and AIDS by 2050. If we can defeat communism, Nazism, put someone on the moon, we can defeat cancer and AIDS. I’ll definitely talk about social issues. I want a Constitutional Amendment to keep the federal government out of marriage altogether and have the laws created and debated on the state level.

4. You mentioned being influenced by Reagan, who are some of your other political influences?

The two Senators I worked for, definitely, Senators John Heinz and Al D'Amato. Senator Heinz was a Republican representing a state with a major elderly and blue collar population. Al D’Amato is a major influence in terms of conservative values and constituent service.

5. I noticed you have a blog on your site. What role do you see the blogosphere playing in this election?

Blogs are vital, the most significant development in political communication since the creation of the first tv ad. They will play a major role in knitting together people from all over the country who oppose Hillary. NY should have a working senator and not a celebrity. I look forward to working with the bloggers.