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Castor, Adams Clash On War

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By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: October 19, 2008

TAMPA - Republican Eddie Adams Jr. was briefly sidelined with a ruptured appendix two years ago when he faced Democrat Kathy Castor for the U.S. House District 11 seat being vacated by Jim Davis.

Two years later, Adams is again challenging Castor, only this time Castor is the incumbent.

Castor says she's proud of her work the past two years to help protect a student loan program targeted for elimination by the Bush administration and her efforts to pass the College Affordability Act to expand educational opportunities.

She said she also voted to expand health coverage for 6 million additional children, although Bush vetoed the measure and it fell a few votes shy of an override.

"I feel like I'm just getting started," said Castor, who received two plum committee assignments when she took office: the Rules Committee and the Armed Services Committee, where she is on the terrorism subcommittee.

Adams sees Washington as corrupt and politicians as "drunk with power" and thinks being a fresh face might help his chances.

Adams was arrested on assault charges in 1979 and 1980, served a few days in jail and received probation. He says he has moved on since then.

Adams wants to help stimulate the economy by providing across-the-board tax cuts. Castor wants to help middle-class families by offering a tax cut to those earning less than $250,000.

She also talked about cutting government waste, especially in military contracts. Adams said he would cut educational spending. He says the system is rife with high-priced administrators.

The two differ on Iraq. Adams says the war needs more funding and troops should stay as long as needed by commanders. Castor favors a gradual withdrawal of some troops next year. Others would be redeployed to Afghanistan, depending on the situation there and in Iraq.
KATHY CASTOR
AGE: 42

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in political science, Emory University; doctor of laws, Florida State University.

FAMILY: Married, two children

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: U.S. representative, 11th Congressional District, 2006-present; Hillsborough County Commissioner, 2002-06

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Partner, Broad and Cassell, 1994-2000

WEB SITE: www.castorfor congress.com
EDDIE ADAMS JR.

AGE: 54

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in microbiology, University of South Florida; master's degree in architecture, USF/Florida A&M University.

FAMILY: Married, two adult children

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: President, Adams & Associates Residential Design

WEB SITE: www.adamsfor congress.org

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