Pontiac (WWJ) -- Health care reform is shaping up to be the pivotal issue for next year's congressional elections in Metro Detroit, with opposing voices on both sides of the issue battling to be heard.
On the same morning of Congressman Peters' fundraiser in Detroit, his supposed Republican opponent Paul Welday blasted the Democrat for being a "lap dog" to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, supporting the bill he says will cost Americans jobs.
"We can't afford this...the mandates to employers, the cost to families is out of control, we need to make our voices heard to the Senate and tell them to vote 'no'," he said during an appearance in Pontiac, Monday.
Welday prefers other areas of health care reform not involving penalties or higher taxes. "I think we need to make insurance available across state lines. There is little access and that drives rates up."
He says health care is an issue that may cost Peters his re-election in 2010. "I think health care is at the top of the list, my concern has been jobs, Michigan has been devastated the last few years and this will drive a stake in the heart of Michigan job providers.
Welday -- former Chief of Staff of former Congressman Joe Knollenberg, defeated in 2008 by Peters -- is challenging him to a debate on health care, but says he has not received a response.
Welday says the proposed cuts in Medicare would put Oakland County seniors at risk.
Welday says Republicans must create a center conservative alliance to win back Capitol Hill and do a better job telling people where they really stand.
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