Adler called it disappointing that many local homeowners aren't showing the kind of compromise that the state has put forward in order to protect homes.

"I think we need to move forward with the beach replenishment project, because it's a larger nexus than just the homeowners. People come to the beaches from all over the world. It's an economic issue that has a greater impact on it than just the folks right there," Myers said. "Given where we are, we need to move forward from an eminent domain perspective, if that's what it takes to get those beaches repaired before things get worse."

Both candidates also said there should be more accountability for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to the problems that have arisen during the beach replenishment project, including the discovery of munitions on replenished beaches.

The candidates both stressed the dangers of an unstable Pakistan and a nuclear Iran, but differed slightly on how long the United States should remain in Iraq.

"We have to make sure that we achieve victory on our terms and get those troops out of there in a way that does not encourage Iran and other radical terrorist countries and groups to view that they've won a victory," Myers said. "If we do not, we will send a message to the rest of the world that the United States is beaten, and we can not do that."

Adler said the United States should be focusing on al-Qaida, but added we shouldn't pull all of our troops out of Iraq too quickly.

"We have to some bodily presence, to allow the Iraqis to have some more time to take charge of their own country to try to do the political part of the surge," Adler said. "America successfully achieved the military part of the surge; Iraq still has to deal with the political part of the surge."

But both candidates agreed that Iraq should fund its own reconstruction, and the United States needs to do a better job of cultivating its allies.

The candidates briefly discussed an issue outside of the 3rd District when they were asked their opinions of banning smoking in Atlantic City's casinos.

Adler was in favor of it, while Myers said the decision should be left to the casinos.

The conversation got heated when the conservation turned to the topic of the recently publicized state "slush funds" - a little-known state-projects fund that has been discontinued - which Myers has accused Adler of improperly distributing to projects within his legislative district.

"I'm not disputing they're worthwhile projects. My view, though, is, you don't know they're worthwhile projects or not, because there has been no transparency in that process," Myers said. "We don't know who what, when and why they're getting money."

Adler agreed the process should be transparent. This is why, he said, the legislature change the process.

But Adler took exception to Myers calling him corrupt.

"The money that went out went, that I know about, went to things like ... AIDS testing, police scanners, went to fix a community center in Cherry Hill Township, who you and I both spoke to," Adler said to Myers. "It didn't go into my pocket, and I'm surprised that you said that several times. That's an accusation of illegality. You should know better, because it's not true."

Both candidates said it was important for the government to invest in mass transit and alternative energy, but they also supported an increase in domestic oil drilling in the short term.

However, while Adler said off-shore drilling should be completely banned, Myers called it a last resort.

"We need oil right now," said Myers, adding that drilling for shale oil on domestic soil would produce 800 billion barrels of oil. "We should do that right away, and only do off-shore drilling as a last resort."

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com