“I am not a constitutional lawyer,” said Jim Cooper.

“I am not a constitutional lawyer,” said Jim Cooper in response to a question submitted by a member of the audience at last night’s candidate’s forum sponsored by the First Baptist Church Capitol Hill.

For David Hall, last night’s candidate’s forum was the first time he had met the incumbent Congressman. Jim Cooper has kept a low profile for the last 18 months avoiding town hall meetings or chances to engage the public. David Hall has challenged Cooper to a debate but Cooper has not yet accepted. Cooper has also been a no-show at one other forum. Last night was a rare chance for Cooper to be seen by any group except a safe audiences of known supporters.

Last night’s event drew an audience of fewer than one hundred people. Although one might assume a candidate's forum at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill would draw an audience that would be Cooper-friendly, it appeared by audience applause to candidates statements, that there were more supporters of David Hall present than Jim Cooper.

The format of the forum did not provide an opportunity for the candidates to ask each other questions or respond to the same question; never the less, the differences between the two candidates was clearly revealed. Cooper as always spoke of his fiscal conservatism and his concern over the growing deficit, but his voting record of support for Cash for Clunker, the various stimulus bills, and Obamacare was revealed, making his concern over the deficit and government spending sound lame and contradictory.

At one point, Cooper touted a book he wrote some years ago dealing with the looming debt crisis. When Hall got a chance to speak, he said he had read the Cooper book and complemented Cooper on it but said Cooper needed to reread it. He pointed out that Cooper’s voting record did not follow the Cooper rhetoric.

Instead of audience members asking candidates questions directly, questions were submitted on note cards and read by the moderator. Someone submitted a question, asking Cooper if the provision in the health care bill that requires everyone to purchase health insurance was constitutional. Cooper dodged the questions and responded by saying, “I am not a Constitutional lawyer.”

I find that a sad commentary and wonder how many other members of Congress have the same attitude. When members of Congress are elected to office they take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Does Congress not have an obligation to take care that the laws they foist on us are Constitutional? Such callous unconcern for the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress is sad and unconscionable.

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