Turner and Weprin debate before packed shul

Amid catcalls and hollers, Congressional candidates David Weprin and Bob Turner held their first debate on Aug. 22 at Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. The shout-fest appeared to be a match between an idealist and a calm, but negative pragmatist in the fight for Anthony Weiner’s former seat.

“This Congress is out of control. My first reaction was to write a check,” said Turner, describing the moment 18 months ago when he threw his hat into politics. “My wife said, ‘Why don’t you do something?’ I’m a citizen candidate.”

Describing the debt-saddled federal government as “irresponsible and ridiculous,” the Republican contender spoke of slashing the federal budget by a third, prioritizing which agencies would see the cuts, and advocating total elimination of some, including the Department of Agriculture. His Democratic opponent, State Assemblyman David Weprin, countered that such a huge cut would unavoidably affect Medicare.

“It is impossible to cut the federal budget by 35 percent and not cut Medicare. I am running to preserve Medicare and Social Security. My opponent would like to change Social Security and Medicare,” Weprin said amid heckling from Turner supporters. Turner spokesman Bill O’Reilly accused Weprin of lying to the audience, pointing out that former mayor Ed Koch’s endorsement of Turner hinged on Turner vowing not to tamper with these two programs.

As an alternative to deep cuts, Weprin proposed tax hikes for millionaires and large corporations, alongside his own experience in managing budgets. “I have a public and private sector background. We’ve balanced eight budgets without cutting services,” Weprin said, describing his two terms on the City Council, where he chaired the finance committee.