Waging his first bid for public office, Straten admits he lacks the political resources possessed by Pascrell, who has served for six consecutive two-year terms. So Straten has been relying on legwork, elbow grease, and door-to-door retail politics to get name recognition.

Concluding his "Roland Rollin’ on to Congress" stint last week, which entailed trekking nearly every main street in every municipality in the 8th Congressional District, Straten voiced his campaign in song.

As "Rawhide" blared from the Jeep Cherokee driven by his wife, Susan, there was a twist to the lyrics: "With John McCain and Palin, we’ll send the spenders wailing," referring to Straten’s goals to control spending in Washington.

Last Thursday, Pascrell said he had previously "put [Straten] on" his economic development boards in Paterson and that Straten had contributed to one of his previous campaigns.

Straten told The Times he contributed about $100 during a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for Pascrell when he first ran for Congress more than 12 years ago.

"I was on the Paterson Economic Development Corp. while I served as chairman of the Paterson Chamber of Commerce," Straten said, noting that he was appointed by the chamber.

"I like Bill Pascrell," Straten said. "But he has really drifted to the left. He used to be much more pro-business … He had a good run, and now it’s time for him to retire."

A self-described fiscal conservative, Straten is running on a platform of reducing dependence on foreign oil, lowering taxes and tapping into alternative energy sources.

This past Friday, Straten touted a suitcase on wheels behind the vehicle, which was pulling a trailer – an "idea box" – coated in red-white-and-blue campaign decor.

By Friday, Straten had walked 60 miles within the district since the "Rollin’" endeavor began in August.

Straten said local police told the congressional hopeful he could not walk behind the truck – going 5 miles per hour – because it was holding up traffic. "I didn’t have problems in any other towns," Straten said. He pressed on until he completed his six-mile route through Montclair.

The Republican is trying to relate to members of both major political parties before the Nov. 4 elections.

Straten, 67, says he supports women’s rights to choose whether to carry a pregnancy to birth. While he does not support gay marriage, he backs civil unions.

Straten said he would not have supported launching a war against Iraq and sending troops to the Middle East.

A former U.S. Navy officer during the Vietnam War era, Straten retired earlier this year from his position as chairman of the board of Paterson-based Associated Fire Protection Co. after 37 years.

Contact Tanya Drobness at drobness@montclairtimes.com.