Time to set the record straight on J.J.

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jul 21, 2006 12:30 PM EDT

From the Findlay Courier:

Siferd touts military service record

The Findlay Courier
By MIKE SOBCZYK

Staff Writer

Richard E. Siferd, the Democratic candidate seeking the Fourth District seat in the U.S. House, believes the district "needs a war veteran in Congress."

And he just happens to fill the bill.

Siferd, a Lima attorney, and Republican State Sen. Jim Jordan of Urbana will square off in November's general election. The winner will succeed Rep. Michael G. Oxley, R-Findlay, who is retiring at year's end after a 25-year stint in Congress.

Siferd was unopposed in May's primary election, while Jordan defeated five other Republican candidates.

"I volunteered. I served. I fought and I led," Siferd told a small gathering of supporters Thursday at the Hancock County War Memorial located at North Main and Center streets. "My opponent (Jordan) has never served in the military."

Siferd, 61, served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1969. He received an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant in the field artillery, with combat service in Vietnam.

Siferd noted that in 1971, "three-quarters of our representatives had military experience." Today, that number has shrunk to fewer than one-third.

Siferd said that during World War II, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt "would not think of sending the young men and women of America off to war, unless their own children also served -- and served they did, unlike the current generation of politicians who protect their children from serving."

In addition to citing the importance of being a war veteran for a leadership role in Congress during time of war, Siferd also pointed out that he is a small businessman, having been the owner of a business for nearly 30 years. "My opponent has never run a business," Siferd said.

Licensed since 1973 with the firm of Siferd & McCluskey, Siferd also served as Lima's law director from 1980-1984.

Siferd said while he and Jordan both have law degrees, he has practiced law for 30 years, while Jordan has never practiced law. "I have seen how the law affects the citizens of this district," Siferd said.

He added that while Jordan "constantly" criticizes government, the "only job he (Jordan) has ever had has been a government job."

Siferd noted that as the November election approaches, "the war talk will be dragged out again."

He said, "They want to create fear and talk about the flag and patriotism rather than a sinking economy, jobs gone to Mexico and China, pensions pawned off on the taxpayers, and a collapsing health care system, and inadequate veterans benefits."

The 1962 Lima Senior High School graduate said as the Fourth District representative, "I will fight for the jobs this district needs and to find solutions to the problems eating at the soul of this country. I know the sacrifice of war and do not approach that sacrifice with the flip and easy answers of the Washington politicians who have never worn the uniform."

Asked about the current conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah in Lebanon, Siferd said while he thinks Israel "has the right, the duty to defend itself," he thinks its response has been "disproportionate" to the threat by Hezbollah. Calling the situation a tragedy, Siferd said there needs to be a diplomatic solution.

Siferd said the United States' role should be to actively work with other countries in getting a diplomatic response.

As for his congressional campaign against Jordan -- where his financial warchest substantially lags behind that of his opponent, Siferd said, "I always figured from the outset it would be about 10 to 1 ... he has 10 times more than me and that's about what it is." According to the latest post-election campaign reports, Siferd currently has about $10,280 in his warchest compared with Jordan's $135,198.

Despite that, Siferd said, "I'm still going to win. Voters are dissatisfied with the economy and the national debt. People sense it's time for a change."

Siferd added that his campaign is receiving "a lot of Republican support." He also said winning the independent vote will be crucial.

Contact staff writer Mike Sobczyk at:

(419) 427-8421

mikesobczyk@thecourier.com

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Location: Lima, OH 45805