Kissell, Hayes spar over "real Americans", honesty

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Kissell, Hayes spar over "real Americans", honesty

The Associated Press

Thursday, October 23, 2008

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Democratic challenger Larry Kissell hit Rep. Robin Hayes for comments about "real Americans" while the GOP incumbent questioned how his rival paid campaign workers in a debate in the tight race for the 8th District U.S. House seat.

The candidates met Wednesday in Kannapolis and sparred over comments Hayes made at a John McCain rally last weekend, as well as differences on the economy, the war in Iraq and energy.

Hayes, a five-term congressman who eked out a 329-vote win over Kissell in 2006, is again in a hard-fought contest with the high school teacher, who is being aided by television commercials funded by national Democrats.

The Independent Tribune of Concord and Kannapolis reported Kissell said Hayes wasn't being honest about his statement last Saturday, when Hayes said "liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God."

Hayes has said it was wrong to make the comment. Kissell accused Hayes' campaign of initially trying to hide from what he said.

"Once again we talked about honesty earlier, I think that's the concern we should take away from this," Kissell said.

Hayes said the comments were taken out of context and weredesigned to defend Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

"They were responding to comments made by liberal bloggers and others, attacking a fine woman, the governor of Alaska," Hayes said.

Hayes criticized Kissell for how he paid his campaign workers. He's accused Kissell of skirting the law by how he previously hired campaign workers as independent contractors.

"Did your employer pay Social Security, unemployment and payroll taxes? Of course he did," Hayes told Kissell. "You can't be a friend of the worker and not pay Social Security."

Kissell said his campaign has "paid completely according to the law."

Hayes defended his legislative record but said more must be done for a south-central North Carolina district decimated by textile industry jobs losses this decade.

"We've worked hard to grow jobs," Hayes said. "As I look back, I wish I could have done more, but I'm proud of I've done."

Kissell, a former textile mill manager, said voters should ask whether they are better off compared to when Hayes took office.

"If you are, then I am not the one to vote for," Kissell said. "We've got to look after working people, and it has not been done when you have 60,000 people without jobs."

http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/state/kissell-hayes-spar-over-real-americans-honesty-201585.html