ATLANTA --- With less than a full term under his belt, U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, says he's not done trying to bring conservative change to Washington.
"It's going to take a lot of work for a long period of time," Mr. Broun said.
His opponent, military veteran Bobby Saxon, would also like to see change in the nation's capital; Mr. Saxon said he's running because of "absolute, total, disgusting frustration with partisan bickering in Washington, D.C."
"All they do is make the rest of us mad at each other and want to fight each other," Mr. Saxon said.
Neither of the candidates are conventional.
Mr. Broun, a doctor, has twice beaten the state GOP establishment to claim the 10th Congressional District and often ends up on the losing end of lopsided votes in the House.
Mr. Saxon is a Democrat who makes certain to discuss his faith, gun ownership and desire to see less government regulation.
Despite his reputation, though, Mr. Broun is still a fairly traditional Republican. He supports offshore drilling as a way to bring more oil onto the market while the nation develops alternative fuel, and he calls for the nation to finish the war in Iraq without following ideas the GOP says are defeatist.
"I want to bring our troops home as quickly as possible, but we need to do so in victory and in honor," Mr. Broun said.
But he's not entirely predictable. Discussing the financial bailout bill that he would eventually vote against twice -- saying he would like to see more free-market reforms -- the congressman called Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson "a disaster" and says he should resign.
Mr. Saxon also would have voted against the bailout the first time, he said, but largely because of the partisan arguing that surrounded it. On the merits, the bill is distasteful but necessary, he said.
Initially an opponent of President Bush's plan to send more troops into Iraq, Mr. Saxon concedes it has helped pave the way for progress.
He supports offshore drilling, he said, but only if it's done in an environmentally sound manner.
BOBBY SAXON
PARTY: Democrat
CITY: Nicholson
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None
OCCUPATION: Military veteran; businessman
AGE: 46
ON IRAQ
Despite initial opposition, he concedes the surge worked. "Without question, there has been a tremendous amount of success in the last 18 months since this surge began," he said. Any timelines for withdrawal should be left to generals; the nation should not withdraw too quickly.
ON OFFSHORE DRILLING
Offshore drilling should be a short-term measure while the nation comes up with better alternatives. But it must be done in an environmentally responsible manner. "I don't think many people want to go out there and start drilling holes and don't care what happens," he said.
ON FINANCIAL BAILOUT
Would have voted against first version of bailout bill because of partisan bickering about the measure. Mr. Saxon called on Mr. Broun to vote for the second version. "Without question, we have got to pass some sort of package that will help get this economy back on its feet," he said.
PAUL BROUN
PARTY: Republican
CITY: Athens
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: First-term congressman; two previous congressional campaigns and a run for U.S. Senate
OCCUPATION: Congressman and physician
AGE: 62
ON IRAQ
The surge has been successful. "I want to bring our troops home as quickly as possible, but we need to do so in victory and in honor," Mr. Broun said. The Iraqi government is making progress on the political front.
ON OFFSHORE DRILLING
Drilling off the coast should be part of a broader policy that includes "clean coal" technology, nuclear power, alternative fuels and conservation. "We need to have an all-of-the-above energy policy," he said.
ON FINANCIAL BAILOUT
Voted against both versions of the bailout bill. He would like to see more free-market reforms, including changes in accounting rules and repeal of banking regulations requiring banks to offer services in low-income areas. Says Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson should resign.
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