In Fifth District race, concerns shift from Iraq

[rodeodance]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/03/in_fifth_district_race_concerns_shift_from_iraq?mode=PF

In Fifth District race, concerns shift from Iraq
Voters cite economy, housing

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff | September 3, 2007

LOWELL - Like politicians everywhere, the candidates in the Fifth Congressional District are spending countless hours telling voters how they feel about the most prominent issue in the country: the war in Iraq.

In TV ads, on the stump, and at campaign events across the district, the five Democrats and two Republicans have hammered away with well-crafted messages about their stances on the war.

But from the cafes in Concord to the ethnic restaurants in Lowell, voters in this diverse district say that while they are deeply concerned and highly opinionated about the war, they are hungry for the bread-and-butter political issues that more directly affect their everyday lives. They want more federal subsidies for affordable housing, a better economy, and new approaches for improving schools.

"Nobody has lit a fire in me," Antonio Mendieta, a 55-year-old Lowell banker, said at Mambo Grill in downtown Lowell. "They aren't focusing enough on creating more jobs in Massachusetts. I want someone who will bring more jobs to the area, fix the highways, the bridges, and the potholes."

[MethuenProgressive]

1. Voting for Tsongas today.

"When Democrat Eileen Donoghue released a TV ad last week suggesting that Niki Tsongas would not bring troops home, Tsongas fired back by listing 21 instances over the course of the campaign when she spoke against the war."

I wanted Tsongas, but was considering Donoghue, but Donoghue lost my respect with that stunt.

[rox63]

2. Just voted for Tsongas on my way to work

Lowell has very divided loyalties in this race, between Tsongas and Donaghue. And that's my hometown.