Anderson: A ‘right-leaning’ alternative for district voters
Bob Anderson said his two opponents lack common sense.
Bob Anderson said his two opponents lack common sense.
Anderson, who is waging a long-shot Independence Party candidacy for the 6th Congressional District seat, said Republican Michele Bachmann and Democrat Tarryl Clark are “recklessly” spending millions on their campaigns.
“We are strapped for money in this country,” Anderson said. “My two opponents are dialing up spending that’s never been recorded before” in Minnesota congressional races.
Anderson said he considers himself a “right-leaning conservative.” He said he opposed the federal economic stimulus package because it was not focused on construction projects. He said he could support stimulus-directed federal borrowing if it was guaranteed for road projects and other infrastructure improvements.
“I could see some help in that area if it was targeted just for that,” he said.
The economy and jobs are a priority, Anderson said. He would like to see Congress try to curb the outsourcing of jobs from the U.S. to other countries. That could be done by creating a more business-friendly climate, he said, calling for shifting tax breaks from companies that send jobs overseas to other firms that retain or grow jobs in the U.S. He also said corporate regulations are too strict.
Anderson said he opposed the recent federal health care overhaul championed by Democrats, but said Republicans did not do enough to make health care changes while they controlled Congress.
“I don’t believe in scrapping the bill,” he said. “It was too much work, time and money spent in getting what they got.”
However, Anderson added, he said he could support repealing a health insurance mandate. But he said he likes the idea of requiring everybody carry at least catastrophic insurance.
Local transportation officials look to the federal government for transportation funding, including for a new Stillwater bridge and for Interstate 94. Anderson said he would advocate for federal funding for Minnesota transportation projects, but would want to make sure they are “prioritized for the greatest needs.”
Anderson ran with little financial support and no official party backing in 2008. He garnered 10 percent of the vote. This year, Anderson said he will spend $6,500 on his campaign.
“People are realizing that, ‘Hey, this guy’s not spending money, this guy’s coming from the private sector,’” Anderson said. “The more they see me, the more they realize we’ve got a guy here that’s going to represent us.”
Anderson said he could appeal to centrist Democrats and moderate and conservative Republicans. He blamed Bachmann for embarking on a “national crusade to represent the far-right conservative movement” rather than representing the 6th District.
“Ray Charles can see that if you’re the incumbent and you need to spend $10 million, you’re not doing your job,” he said.
At a glance: Bob Anderson
Age: 52
Party: Independence
Residence: Woodbury
Family: Single; adult daughter
Occupation: Dental lab technician
Previous elected experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008
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