Before a packed house at Temple B'nai Israel on Park Avenue, Democratic candidate Diane Farrell said U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays is in lockstep with a failed Bush administration, whether the subject is tax cuts, the war in Iraq or economic policy.

"There are a lot of people out there who are not reaping the benefits" of Bush's tax cuts and economic program, Farrell told the 250 or so people who braved a rainy evening to attend the debate.

Shays, a Republican who has held his 4th District seat for 19 years, took the opposite view, saying Bush's tax cuts and other policies sustained a growing economy. While he defended most of Bush's policies, Shays noted the president was "dead wrong" when he said Social Security was in crisis.

"We cut taxes and watched the economy grow for 13 straight quarters," Shays said.

Phil Maymin, the Libertarian candidate for the 4th District congressional seat, said both candidates were wrong. Maymin said he believes in smaller government, period.

"I believe in smaller government and more freedom. I do not believe in the forced redistribution of wealth. Any law is enforced at the point of a gun. Don't pay your income taxes and people with guns show up," Maymin explained.

Farrell ticked off a list of those who have fallen behind under Bush's tenure.

"My opponent would rather talk about quarterly earnings. But millions of Americans are living at a minimum wage that has the lowest purchasing power in 50 years. More families can't afford health insurance. That's really what's happened with those tax cuts," Farrell said.

Farrell asked if the nation can afford two more years of Shays' support for the Bush administration. "There is a sad irony to what has happened to U.S. standing in the world.

"After 9/11, we had the world's sympathy. What's happened in between has only served to erode that good will and faith. I don't think we have done all we could have or should have during this period," Farrell said.

Shays said the U.S. has 'finally confronted" the reality of a world that became more dangerous after the Cold War ended.

"We were blind when embassies were blown up, sailors were killed on the U.S.S. Cole and attacks on the twin towers. We finally woke up. We went into Iraq. My opponent says we should have gone only if the United Nations gave permission. I would never let coalition partners say what we can do or can't do," Shays said.

Maymin said he would not have invaded Iraq following 9/11. "There was no justification for going into Iraq. We must make sure wars are just."

On transportation issues, Maymim suggested letting companies compete for road repair projects instead of allowing government to control the process. He said the federal Transportation Department should be eliminated.

Farrell criticized Shays for not understanding local transportation problems, and failing to bring home adequate dollars to relieve congestion.

"The reality is the state relies on federal sources for 80 percent of its transportation money. Because Shays is not on the transportation committee, we have not had the allocation that's needed," Farrell said.

Shays said it's up to the state to decide which road projects should be undertaken and defended his record of bringing home millions in transportation dollars.

"The rebuilding of Interstate 95, a half-a-billion-dollar project, has made Bridgeport ripe for redevelopment," the congressman said.

Bill Cummings, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6230.