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He agrees with most positions Robinson has taken in 14 years on Capitol Hill, Costello said. “He’s a friend of mine, a man for who I have a lot of respect,” the Democrat said. “I really shouldn’t be involved in an evaluation. . .We concur in a number of things— fiscal conservatism and the need for a strong national defense...
“But the thing I disagree with most with his voting record was that he was an automatic vote for the president before the bills even went into the hopper.”
Although Costello said he and Slaughter have similar beliefs on most issues, there are differences, according to the Democrat.
“I would vote for the Equal Rights Amendment. . .He says he won’t,” Costello said. “I believe in the rights of all Americans.”
Costello said he and the Republican also differ on the Voting Rights Act. Neither supports it, but he believes the act—applied only to specific states, including Virginia—should be replaced with a law to cover all states, while Slaughter favors only abolition of the act, according to Costello.
The Democrat also said he is more supportive of public education than his opponent, even though the Republican, as a member of the General Assembly, sponsored legislation to create the state's community college system.
Costello addressed other issues. They are:
•Abortion: “I am morally opposed to abortion except in cases of rape, incest, malformation of the fetus or danger to the woman’s life.” Mr. Costello said he would oppose any federal funding for abortion “except in those precise cases.”
•The federal deficit: “It’s not an issue—it’s the issue. The resulting high interest rates are crippling small business, farming and the housing industry. They represent an additional tax on our exports and a subsidy on anything imported. . .My proposal is no part of the budget is sacrosanct.
“I’m not soft on national defense, but I never saw a general with $50,000 who didn’t spend it all.”
Costello said there should be “an absolute freeze on all federal expenditures and an item-by-item review.”
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