Friday, January 18, 2008

Democratic House of Representatives candidate Nels Ackerson made a campaign stop in Clinton County Thursday, addressing a crowd of 40 party supporters in the Frankfort Moose Lodge.

Ackerson, an Indiana native, touched on the economy, the war in Iraq, immigration, and his opponent for the state’s 4th District - Republican Steve Buyer.

“This is an important and critical election for this country on the presidential level, but we also need a congress that works for the people, not themselves,” Ackerson told the crowd.

The event was part of the Clinton County Democrats’ Roosevelt-Kennedy Club meeting.

Ackerson was raised on a farm near Westfield and is a graduate of Purdue University. A successful international lawyer, Ackerson has previously served as a senior staff member on the U.S. Senate.

The Democrat noted what he sees as Buyer’s strong ties to political action committees, and believes, after four terms, it is time for a fresh face to represent northern Indiana in Congress.

“We need to bring this man home,” Ackerson said.

Ackerson also expounded on the war in Iraq.

“It was a mistake to go in there, because we didn’t have to in the first place,” he said.

While some may see promise in the U.S.’s recent efforts in the Middle East, Ackerson offers a different take.

“The surge is working if our objective is to have permanent military control of the area,” he said. “Otherwise, we’re not making progress.”

Fielding a question regarding the slumping stock market, Ackerson gave a bleak prediction for the future of the economy.

“It’s going to get worse before I can get into office,” he said.

According to Ackerson, Clinton County should expect to take the state’s financial woes on the chin.

“This district is going to suffer as least as much from the fall of the economy as any part of Indiana,” he said afterward, citing the ethanol fuel industry as an example of the new business critical to the state’s economic future.

Touching on a hot button issue, Ackerson puts blame on area problems resulting from illegal immigration onto the nation’s leaders in Washington, D.C.

“The federal government is responsible for the costs that now Frankfort and Clinton County are paying,” he said afterward.

Ackerson supports stronger protection of entry points to the U.S.

“The borders need to be secured,” he said afterward, emphasizing that this must include airports and harbors.

Former mayoral candidate Chuck Toney was in attendance Thursday, and was impressed with Ackerson’s breadth of knowledge.

“He’s well versed on just about anything you would want to discuss about politics,” Toney said.

Clinton County Democrats President John Bonecutter echoed Toney’s sentiments.

“I’ve heard him speak before, and I am always impressed with him,” he said.

The Democrats have yet to announce a candidate for this fall’s county elections - something Bonecutter plans to work on in the coming months.

“We obviously have to fill a slate with good candidates,” he said, “and then really encourage the voters to come out.”