Manion enters race
for Congress

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Tom Manion entered the 8th Congressional District race last week saying he was supported by his family, committed to making a difference and inspired by his son Travis, who was killed last year in the Iraq war.
Manion, a Republican, is the favorite of party leaders to take on freshman Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy.
Former Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a Republican who served one term before losing a tight race to Murphy in 2006, declined to seek a rematch and is backing Manion. Fitzpatrick will challenge Democratic state Rep. Chris King.
Two other Republicans, Jeff Madden and Tom Lingenfelter, have indicated that they will run in the congressional primary.
Manion, of Doylestown, is one of 10 children in an Irish family. He served 11 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and another 19 years in the Marine Reserves, retiring last year as a colonel. Since 1990, he’s worked for Johnson & Johnson, presently serving as a vice president for information technology.
The congressional race will be his first entry into the political arena.
"Travis has given me a wake-up call that my service is not over," he said.
Adam Abrams, a spokesman for Murphy, said the incumbent — a lawyer and former U.S. Army captain who served in Iraq — is concentrating on being a congressman, not a candidate.
"There will be plenty of time to talk politics when the election gets closer," he said.
Manion, 53, announced his candidacy on Jan. 15 in the kitchen of his home. He was surrounded by his wife Janet, daughter Ryan, family, friends and neighbors. He is positioning himself as an outsider.
The challenger wants to change what he sees as a partisan culture in Washington. He blames both major parties.
"I’m an American first," he said.
Manion, who has not endorsed a presidential candidate, said spending has "run amok." He supports lower taxes and a decrease in earmarks and thinks the government can do more with less money. He favors affordable health care for all Americans and the development of alternative energy to reduce the dependence on foreign oil.
As for illegal immigration, he wants to close American borders and send illegals back to Mexico to apply for citizenship. He supports work-visa programs.
On abortion, he is pro-life. He backs stem-cell research, more government support for job creation and attention on global warming and other environmental concerns.
"And yes, I do want to end the war in Iraq as soon as possible," he said.
Travis Manion, 26, was a star athlete at La Salle High School and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. A first lieutenant in the Marine Corps, he was killed in battle in April 2007.
Tom and Janet Manion met with President George W. Bush last October at the White House. The president thanked them for their son’s sacrifice.
The elder Manion wants the United States to work closely with the Iraq government so that nation can defend itself, but at the same time keep the American troop presence in place for now.
"It’s pretty evident the surge is working," he said.
Manion understands the financial challenge that he faces in the campaign. Murphy was a prolific fund-raiser when he challenged Fitzpatrick and has continued to stockpile campaign cash in his first year in office.
The National Republican Congressional Committee is struggling to raise money. The NRCC’s main focus will be to defend embattled incumbents, followed by competitive open-seat races. It will assist Manion and blast Murphy for his association with MoveOn.org, the ultra-liberal group responsible for the New York Times ad that referred to Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of troops in Iraq, as "General Betray Us."
The 8th Congressional District includes Bucks County, the Far Northeast and a small portion of eastern Montgomery County. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com