Maloney, Saujani Spar in Radio Debate

By [Dan Rivoli] The hour-long debate between Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Reshma Saujani matched that of the campaign so far: bitter and ugly, with many accusations. In discussing policy, their backgrounds and vision for the next two years, there were accusations of lying, ethics violations and being in special interests" pockets. Daily News columnist Errol Louis moderated the debate on his radio show. Maloney, elected to the House in 1992, focused on her legislative achievements and constituent work. She cited legislation she sponsored and supported that is improving the economy. Saujani, meanwhile, criticized the incumbent early and often. She accused Maloney of weakening regulation to appease donors, taking all of the credit for major projects and legislation she touts, and, perhaps most boldly, that â??Carolyn Maloney just lied when she said that her campaign staff organized fundraisers that coincided with her work on financial reform. The issue was scuttled immediately after that comment when Louis realized the candidates skipped opening remarks. Maloney rebutted Saujani"s criticism over fundraising. She repeated that her campaign staff organizes fundraisers and, as for taking money from companies" Political Action Committees (known as a PACs), said that Saujani gets money from finance industry employees that create them and finance them. â??It"s the same thing, Maloney said. Maloney touted the federal funding she got for constructing the Second Avenue Subway, a project she highlights as a jobs generator in the district. Maloney then said she would fight to get funding in her district from the Obama administration"s new fund for infrastructure improvements. â??My record speaks for itself. I have stood for reform, I have stood for accountability, I have stood against special interests, Maloney said. â??I have passed meaningful legislation that has helped the district that I represent. The two largest construction projects employing the most people in the country are in Queens... and the Second Avenue Subway. Saujani said Maloney was â??disingenuous for taking all the credit in getting funding for the Second Avenue Subway. â??That was the work of a lot of members of [the] New York delegation including Sen. Schumer, Saujani said. â??Twenty of 70 businesses along 91st Street to 97th Street have shut down. What have you really done to help those businesses? Maloney emphasized her commitment to small business with the rest of the city"s Congressional delegation by passing legislation that gives tax credits to small businesses. Maloney focused on her recent work passing the â??very strong, comprehensive financial reform bill, a law that has an â??innovation fund, and passing the stimulus package with money for renewable energy. â??I have been committed to working with small businesses, the major engine of our economy, to help create opportunities to grow jobs for the citizens I"m honored to represent, Maloney said. Maloney praised the Obama administration and the Democratic congress for stopping the job loss under President George W. Bush and for pushing the economy â??in the right direction. â??Is it success? No. But in the last seven months private sector jobs have grown, which is the true indicator of moving in the right direction, Maloney said. â??Respectfully, my opponent sounds like the Republicans in Congress and the rhetoric they are throwing at the Democratic majority. Saujani boosted her background in the finance sector while simultaneously belittling Maloney"s understanding of the finance industry. â??If I were to ask Carolyn Maloney right now what a basis point is, she probably doesn"t know, Saujani said, later adding, â??We need to have people who are in Congress, who are in Washington, who understand what a complicated financial instrument is, who understands what a derivative is, who understands what a basis point is. For closing remarks, Maloney talked about getting ideas in Congress from constituents, such as helping to create five new schools in the district, securing federal money to build six senior houses and her credit card consumer reforms. â??I find it a great honor and a privilege to represent the 14th Congressional district, Maloney said. â??I believe public service is the best job in the world if it"s done honestly, fairly. Saujani used her opportunity to call Maloney a â??member of Congress emeritus. â??She thinks that longevity alone is a reason to re-elect her, Saujani said. â??Idea after idea after idea, we have demonstrated that longevity alone is not enough. We need new blood and fresh ideas. Reporters tried to get post debate remarks, but Maloney was whisked to an elevator, where journalists crammed in to get a comment. She said little and, when asked if she thought Saujani"s remarks were fair, she said, â??I believe in free speech.