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Rooney Says He Is A 'True Fiscal Conservative'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2008

Tom Rooney, 37, is almost stereotypically Irish. He's tall, red-haired, flush-faced, freckled, and built like a lumberjack. Actually, he's a former tight end, an Army veteran and an attorney.

Rooney, 37, of Tequesta, is running for the 16th congressional district seat currently occupied by Tim Mahoney. Although he's a lawyer, and his wife, Tara, is an attorney and a real estate agent, Rooney said he's still making payments on his Ford F-150 pickup truck, and Tara is still paying off her student loans. But Rooney is from a Pittsburgh family of millionaires. The family patriarch is his late grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rooney was a captain in the U.S. Army, and was once assigned to teach military law at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

Q: What will you do to help balance the federal budget?

I am a true fiscal conservative. When elected, I will go to Washington and fight to put a stop to wasteful spending while keeping taxes low. I will work with both parties to reign in the federal budget and start to cut the fat out from unnecessary and wasteful projects.

Q: Is it important to give tax cuts to wealthy Americans when the country is running a massive debt? Before the tax cuts, the country haddebt and since implementing them, our debt has skyrocketed. Any correlation?

I do not believe that drawing a line in the sand and deciding who is wealthy and who isn't is sound tax policy. I support lower taxes for all taxpayers. No matter how much we bring in from taxes, until we slow the growth of government and cut spending we cannot begin to tackle our national debt.

Q: How can a member of Congress do with high gas prices? Can our country become energy independent and how long will that take? How do we get there?

For the past two years, Congress has stood idly by while we have all felt the squeeze of higher gas prices. I will go to Congress and fight for comprehensive energy reform. I have always supported letting states decide whether and where to drill. I will work to ensure that any energy bill include revenue sharing so Florida gets its fair share for any oil and natural gas drilling off our coast. In addition, I will advocate for increased refining capacity, greater incentives for the development and implementation of new alternative fuel sources as well as greater conservation measures. While I do not support a harsh timeline for becoming energy independent, I do believe we must act now, we cannot put this off any longer. This is not a problem that will go away.

Q: How will you change the culture in Washington, D.C., to regain public trust concerning the influence of special interests on members of Congress?

As an Army officer, I was proud and honored to serve my country. If elected, I will serve in Congress with the same pride and honor.I will work beyond partisan bickering and be an outspoken advocate for civility and results. For too long, Floridians have been the victims of a broken Washington, they deserve better. I will serve and represent them and their interests with honor.

Q: How would you rate George Bush's presidency and where must we focus our efforts for the next four years and beyond?

The jury is still out on Mr. Bush's presidency. I strongly disagree with the growth in the size and scope of government over the past eight years. I have been greatly pleased however, with his Supreme Court appointments. It is time for Washington to move forward, as I stated above the partisan bickering has worn thin on Floridians. We must stop fighting about the past and look to our future.

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