07/16/10 the Only Guy Arrested For Drug Possession In The Fourth Congressional Race Stakes Out Jim Himes' Hometown

Robert Merkle, who owns Management Recruiters in Westport, is one of three candidates running in the Aug. 10 primary for the Republican nomination in the fourth congressional district. Mr. Merkle is facing off against Dan Debicella and Bridgeport businessman Rick Torres in the primary to challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Jim Himes this fall.

Mr. Merkle, who is a Norwalk resident, made a brief appearance in Greenwich on Monday to a small group of supporters.

Mr. Merkle is set to appear tonight at 8 in Stamford.

Monday night, Mr. Merkle took several positions to the right of current officeholders, particularly when it came to the powers of federal government, which he said had to be curtailed.

Mr. Merkle said. “There are approximately 18 specific areas in the constitution which the federal government is supposed to be in charge of, defense, border security, currency, international commerce and relations to name a few."

Mr. Merkle said he envisions cutting the Department of Education, Department of Labor and the Department of Energy.

He was questioned by Greenwich resident Dick Case on this who asked him which of the 18 areas in the constitution gave the government the power to work on transportation in the state. Mr. Merkle admitted it wasn’t one of the areas.

This lead to direct questioning from Greenwich resident Tim Graham who asked Mr. Merkle what he would do to help people in Fairfield County if elected. Saying that state programs can be paid for when less money is sent to the federal government.

Mr. Graham urged Mr. Merkle to worry less about national issues like immigration and the size of the government and instead address local issues like power consumption, congestion on Interstate 95 and the need for changes in the state transit system.

Mr. Merkle did not say if the the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency should be eliminated or if it was one of the "approximately 18 specific areas" in the constitution which the federal government is supposed to be in charge of.

Mr. Merkle said he is scheduled to swing through Greenwich again before the primary, but would not give a specific date.

PLEASE SEE:

07/13/10 The Greenwich Time Reporters Must So Stoned That They Forgot To Report That Jim Himes Congressional Opponent Was Arrested For Drug Possession

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