Congressman Darrell Issa speaks about policies to Log Cabin Republicans

HILLCREST (KUSI) — Congressman Darrell Issa is firing back at the presidential criticism. Monday, he spoke to Log Cabin Republicans in Hillcrest about his policies.

The electric nature of the presidential election is making waves here in San Diego, with the veteran representative fighting to keep the congressional seat he’s held for 15 years.

As a chair of the House Oversight Committee, Issa has been a thorn in the side of recent presidents – especially the Obama Administration – leading the investigations into Benghazi and Fast and Furious. 

Over the weekend, President Obama openly endorsed Marine Colonel Doug Applegate.

"I’m very honored to have Barack Obama’s endorsement," Colonel Doug Applegate said. "Barack Obama has seen firsthand how Darrell Issa is at the center of what’s wrong in Washington. He knows that on the most important issues, Issa puts his political party ahead of his country and plays political games instead of doing what’s right for people here. That’s what we need to send a Marine to Congress to fix, because I’m not a career politician and I won’t be bound by any party or political group, other than the people I represent."

Obama highlighted Colonel Applegate’s patriotism and life of service in contrast to Issa’s consistent pattern of putting political games and extreme partisanship ahead of country.

"Darrell Issa, a member of Congress who once called for my impeachment, who questioned where I was born, is now advertising claiming we worked together," President Obama said.

But in front of the Log Cabin Republicans, Issa set the record straight.

"I’m disappointed but not surprised that the president, in a political speech, continues to deny accountability for the serious scandals that happened under his watch where Americans died overseas and veterans have died here at home. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks I’ve done too much to hold Washington accountable. I’ve worked with the administration on good legislation where it was possible, called out wrongdoing wherever I saw it and will continue to do so," Issa said.