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Three GOP Hopefuls Vie To Face Off Against Donnelly

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

SOUTH BEND - Republican Luke Puckett sees something in common among just about every potential voter he speaks to while scouring the 2nd Congressional District just days before the Indiana primary.

"It's their pocketbooks," he said. "They care about other things, but the people of this district are smart. They know what's affecting them the most and it's gas prices and costs. It's their wallets."

The issues among the three Republicans seeking the right to face off against Democratic incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in November range from the economy to the war in Iraq to the effect pornography has on the nation.

Puckett, running against Culver newspaper deliveryman Joseph Roush and South Bend/Crown Point lawyer Tony Zirkle, said his opponents have kept quiet on the economy, choosing instead to address things like patriotism and pornography.

He said voters care about more important things and has pledged to make education and the economy two of his main campaign issues and two of the things he'll hit hardest if elected.

"Their silence on these issues is deafening," Puckett said. "Those are not issues we need to be talking about. We need to be talking about issues that will be shaping the future."

Zirkle took heat last month for speaking on the dangers of pornography and prostitution at a Nazi rally for Adolf Hitler's birthday in Chicago. He's run in each of the last three 2nd District Republican primaries, losing each time, and in each his main issue has been the same.

Roush said last month his plan is to pull troops out of Iraq immediately and stop supporting a legacy of favoring the wealthy he says has been furthered by George W. Bush.

He also called himself a true patriot because he questions the government and wants to eliminate NAFTA and free trade with China.

"(We need to) eliminate the bribery and conflict of interest of legislators heavily investing in the same businesses that they oversee and give government contracts to," he said.

Zirkle, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a Gulf War veteran, said the biggest challenge facing the 2nd District is the need for Congress to place a check and balance on the U.S. Supreme Court by allowing both houses, with a super majority, to overrule legal decisions. He said the court is obstructing justice with its "porn-prostitution defending decisions, which destroy families, lead to drug addiction, crime, higher taxes and terrorism."

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Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.