Sherman, Hoffman Lock Horns in Their 1st Debate

Political sparring over the Clinton scandal and Social Security reform prompted catcalls and howls of disapproval from the audience at the first congressional debate between Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Republican challenger Randy Hoffman on Saturday.

A lively crowd of more than 300 attended the 1 1/2-hour debate, sponsored by the American Assn. of Retired Persons. The audience was quick to voice boisterous judgments as the two candidates unfurled their platforms and attacked one another’s views.

The loudest response came just after opening remarks, when moderator Edmonde Haddad asked Hoffman and Sherman to comment about possible impeachment proceedings against President Clinton, stemming from testimony about his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Boos and shouts of “shame on you” rained down from the crowd.

Sherman, a freshmen who the National Republican Party considers one of the most vulnerable Democrats in Congress, sidestepped the issue, saying “the process is going forward.” Sherman said the controversy has distracted Congress from more important issues, such as Social Security protections and campaign finance reform.

Hoffman agreed Clinton’s troubles were diverting voter attention from important matters, but laid the blame on a general “lack of accountability” in Washington.

“How do you explain to a teenager that it’s not OK to lie, but the president of the United States will look you, will look me, will look our children right in the eye and lie to us,” Hoffman said to a smattering of applause.

It was clear, however, the crowd had heard enough about the scandal.

“I think everybody is tired of it,” said Richard Perrine, 74, of West Hills, a lifelong Republican and retired engineering professor from UCLA. “It’s become a political process when it should be more judicious.”

The occasional outburst aside, Saturday morning’s debate provided the first real opportunity for Sherman and Hoffman to face one another and explain how they differ on the issues.

The winner will represent the 24th Congressional District, which stretches from Sherman Oaks to Thousand Oaks.

The debate was held at the Radisson Valley Center Hotel in Sherman Oaks.

Hoffman, a political newcomer from Thousand Oaks, emphasized his success as president of Magellan Systems Corp., a high-tech San Dimas firm specializing in personal satellite navigation systems.

The same work ethic required to make his company flourish and to create 300 jobs in the Los Angeles area, would help him preserve Social Security, Medicare and reform the nation’s education system if elected, Hoffman said.

Sherman, an accountant and former elected member of the state Board of Equalization, stressed he has a proven record and has cast votes to keep Social Security financially solvent, support the working poor and aid children. Sherman accused Hoffman of merely “pontificating” on issues without taking a stand on them.

In response, Hoffman called Sherman a “career politician” who, despite claims to be a moderate, often votes with liberal Democratic stalwarts Reps. Henry Waxman of Los Angeles and Howard Berman of Mission Hills.

Hoffman’s swipe at the Democrat was not well received by many in the audience.

One of the most contentious exchanges between the candidates was over the financial future of the Social Security system.

Hoffman told the audience, dominated by seniors, he supports devoting the entire budget surplus to shoring up the Social Security trust fund. The trust fund faces depletion when the baby boom generation retires.

However, Hoffman received an icy response when he explained his support for allowing some privatization of the Social Security system, allowing Americans to put a portion of their future benefits in personal investment accounts.

Sherman attacked the idea as irresponsible, saying it put the income of the nation’s retirees at risk.

Both candidates emphasized their support for abortion rights, but they differed on government funding for the procedure.

Hoffman said abortions should be paid for on a “personal basis” and not by tax dollars. Sherman said he has voted in favor of allowing federal funds to pay for abortions for women in the military and low-income welfare recipients.

Hoffman chided Sherman for saying he has fought to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, yet he has supported providing government benefits to them.

In defense, Sherman said he favors tougher border and migration controls, but opposes barring the children of illegal immigrants from public schools and “throwing them out into the street” where certain trouble awaits.