MIAMI -- U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings makes no bones about how he said his 16 years in Washington have paid off for the people who live in District 23.

"I have seniority and that amounts to clout, and clout is what politics is all about," Hastings said.

The seven-term Democrat is a senior member of the House Rules Committee, chairman of the Commission of Security and Cooperation in Europe, is well-versed in foreign affairs and a strong voice for human rights.

His successful political career followed a high-profile fall from grace as a federal judge. In 1981, Hastings was accused of accepting a bribe in exchange for issuing a lighter sentence. He was acquitted of criminal charges. But in 1989, Congress kicked him off the bench for judicial misconduct.

Nineteen years later, Hastings' opponent, Dr. Marion Thorpe Jr., said the congressman's history hinders his ability to get things done in Washington.

"Over 16 years -- who suffers? Well, the everyday, working class folks of District 23 suffer. I'd like to remove the entire impeachment box from that district and let folks participate in the American dream process and move us forward into the future," Thorpe said.

Thorpe is the former chief medical officer for the State of Florida and a member of the Black Republican Association. He advocates equal access to quality health care.

The candidates' backgrounds differ as much as their positions on some key issues facing the nation and South Florida.

They both agree there should be no timetable for removing troops from Iraq. But when it comes to drilling for oil off the coast of Florida, their views are oceans apart.

"Absolutely not. I have said -- and I repeat -- I will be the last man standing in reference to offshore drilling," Hastings said.

Thorpe, however, thinks the United States should tap all available resources until alternative fuels are widely available.

Hastings reluctantly voted for the $700 billion dollar Wall Street bailout plan, saying it was the only way to rescue the economy.

Thorpe called it foolish.

"That's a lot of money and I don't think Americans should get in the habit of bailing out folks on Wall Street who have proven they can't manage money to begin with," he said.

The candidates also agree on another sore subject in South Florida -- the economic embargo against Cuba.

Both said the sanctions should remain in place until the Cuban government allows its people to have basic human rights.