Turner In Favor Of Debt Ceiling Deal

Republican candidate for Congress, Bob Turner, came out in support of the debt ceiling compromise on Monday, issuing a statement saying that while the deal wasn’t all he had hoped for, he was still in favor of its passage.

“This agreement is far from perfect, but it will protect Social Security and Medicare and prevent default on our debt, which would have damaged this weak economy even more,” Turner said in a statement. “But more importantly, it sends the signal that bipartisanship, however hard-fought, is still possible in the Congress.”

Turner has spent much of his campaign arguing that what Washington is missing is an entrepreneurial spirit that he could provide.

The Republican businessman has said in the past that the government should be spending less, and wrote in a previous op-ed that the federal budget should be reduced by as much as a third.

While the current compromise falls well short of that lofty ambition, Turner said he felt it was a step in the right direction.

“This debate has been historic in that federal debt and its drag on the U.S.  economy is now a front-burner issue,” Turner added. “Getting the U.S. economy back on track and creating jobs must be the chief priority for every member of Congress, and, in the long-term, that will require responsible spending and balanced budgets.  That is the ultimate goal, and this moves us in that direction. As imperfect as it is, I support today's deal."

Earlier in the day, Turner released a statement urging his opponent,

The House passed the measure by a 269-161 vote. The Senate will vote on the bill today.