OH-7: Woolever (D) Congratulates Hobson (R) For "Opening His Eyes"

Seizing on the news that Rep. Dave Hobson (R-Springfield) told the Columbus Dispatch on Thursday that President George Bush is "out of touch" regarding his veto of the bipartisan bill to provide health insurance to more children by expanding the SCHIP program, challenger Dave Woolever (D-Stoutsville) issued this zinger of a press release:

"After six and a half years of this administration, it is well past time for Representative Hobson to realize that President Bush is out of touch," said Woolever. "Hobson is apparently just realizing that during six years of control of both the White House and the House of Representatives, the Republican Party has left its reputation for fiscal responsibility in tatters."

Hobson went on to decry President Bush's signing of the 2002 Farm Bill, which was H.R. 2646 in the 1st session of the 107th Congress. However, Representative Hobson voted "aye" on final passage of that bill on October 5, 2001.

Representative Hobson also was quoted as saying "… he wants $190 billion more for the war, but he's picking a fight over $23 billion?" However, Representative Hobson has never voted against any funding for George Bush's Iraqi War. Most recently he voted for H.R. 2206 which funneled $100 billion into the war with no strings or conditions.

Woolever said, "It's hypocritical for Representative Hobson to suddenly decry Iraqi war spending when he has been a rubber stamp for George Bush, unquestioningly spending our hard earned tax dollars for this quagmire. President Bush certainly is out of touch, I will grant Hobson that, but can anything less be said about Hobson himself given his voting record?" ...

Woolever says that he stands for "real fiscal responsibility" and pledges to work to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq in a timely and responsible manner, cut taxes on the middle class to spur economic growth, and make jobs in Ohio a priority by rolling back unfair trade agreements that reward companies for moving jobs offshore.

The 7th Congressional District is in Clark, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Perry, Pickaway and Ross counties in south central Ohio. Bush won 57% of the district vote in 2004. Hobson defeated repeat challenger Bill Conner (D-Beavercreek), who is running again this time around, by 61% to 39% in 2006. There have been rumors that Hobson may retire, in which case State Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) may jump into the race.