Posted on 10/24/2004 5:52:43 PM PDT by Ligeia
10/21/2004
Tough choices await voters Nov. 2 in local, national races
This week, The Times editorial board lays out the case for whom it is supporting in the local congressional and presidential races. We will not presume to change your mind or make it up for you. We offer our thoughts as another in the assault of opinions launched in this high-stakes election.
Regardless of what is said here or what you think or write us about it, we feel passionate that everyone should get out and vote on Election Day.
In the 11th Congressional District, we continue to support incumbent Republican Tom Davis. A former county board chairman, Davis has proved time and again that he can juggle his moderate tendencies with the more conservative bent of the national party to fight for the interests of Northern Virginia and bring home the bacon.
Now in his position as chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform, Davis is flexing his muscle on issues that affect the region on a daily basis. The EPA's oversight of clean drinking water, the war in Iraq, airport security screening and the recent flu vaccine crisis are just a sampling of what Davis has on his plate.
His Democratic challenger, Ken Longmeyer, is an impressive candidate but has neither said nor done anything to convince us that it is time for a change.
That same sentiment is true in the 10th Congressional District, where we continue to support Republican incumbent Frank Wolf. His Democratic challenger, James Socas, a recent California-transplant, was off the mark in one of his first attacks against Wolf in which he targeted transportation. Wolf, more than any of our local congressmen, has pushed for transportation studies or improvements.
Virginia's Democratic governor even said the much-ballyhooed Dulles rail expansion would be going nowhere if not for Wolf's efforts.
Socas shows a great grasp of the larger issues facing the country right now, particularly the dangers of a growing deficit, but he has not given us ample reason to abandon Wolf.
We wish Socas lived about three miles south of where he does now in north McLean so he could have challenged incumbent Democrat Jim Moran for his 8th District seat.
We endorse Jim Moran, wishing his most formidable challenger, former county board chairman Kate Hanley, had not dropped out of a primary race against him. Moran has shown a great affinity for his home turf of Alexandria and Arlington but has done little to ingratiate or ingrain himself with the western part of his district since it was given to him four years ago.
He has proved to be a polarizing figure among Democrats and Republicans and continues to be his own worst enemy even after all these years through his suspect financial dealings of the past to his occasional racially and ethnically insensitive remarks.
If he hasn't learned his lesson, we certainly have. We just wish his Republican challenger, Lisa Marie Cheney, offered a better alternative. Sadly, she does not.
This year's presidential race does present a strong alternative.
Democrat John Kerry appears to be more statesmanlike than our hard-headed president. He certainly talks the talk when it comes to global and domestic issues, but would we be better off given the circumstances we face today?
We are still awaiting a verdict on Iraq, arguably the single biggest issue to divide the electorate, and we believe a midcourse change in U.S. leadership sends the wrong signal in these fragile times.
It remains to be seen whether Iraq transforms into some semblance of a democracy or degenerates into civil war. Events there may indeed turn for the good, and, on this outcome, the presidency of Republican George W. Bush will ultimately be judged.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks touched everyone and changed everything.
Kerry's thirst for international acceptance compromises U.S. interests.
That's not to say Kerry has not shone a bright light on the deficiencies of the Bush administration, but, looking at the global context of our upcoming vote, Kerry has not done enough to sway voters beyond an already established anti-Bush sentiment.
I interpret these endorsements to be a business decision; meaning this particular paper want to endorse those whom it believes are going to win. How else can one explain the endorsement of Jim Moran, a totally reprehensible member of the House of Representatives? Despite what the editorial says, Lisa Marie Cheney (no relation) is a good candidate.
If I'm correct in my analysis, this editorial board believes GWB will even win one of the more moderate-to-liberal counties in the commonwealth!
hi, Ligeia: We don't get the Times out here ... so thanks for posting. Is Wolf ok out there ? I see Socas ads on the tv about every two minutes, and have yet to see ONE for Wolf. With the huge influx of yuppies into WOlf's district, I hope he succeeds. I'm assuming if he were REALLY at risk the NRCC/FCRP, etc. would be jumping into the campaign with ad cash.
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