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Front Page
opinion editorials
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Congressional Choices
FOR THE RECORD: This editorial has been corrected to reflect that Martin Heinrich has a degree in mechanical engineering.
U.S. Senate, Republican — Wilson: With Sen. Pete Domenici's retirement, New Mexico loses decades of experience and seniority. Those losses underline the value of Rep. Heather Wilson's 10 years in the House and national-security work before that.
As a Republican in a swing district in a swing state, Wilson has weathered tough challenges from Democratic opponents every two years. She says that's because she's proven to be a moderate who listens to, then acts on, constituents' concerns. High on Wilson's Senate to-do list are items on the minds of many New Mexicans: energy policy, immigration reform and the economy. While she missed the science on global warming and the boat on fair pay in a recent debate, she does have solid suggestions to address these issues.
Wilson advocates a balanced approach to the country's dependency on oil that includes lowering barriers to domestic production while increasing fuel economy and encouraging alternative technologies. She emphasizes the need for secure borders and enforcing existing laws while acknowledging the need to increase visas in the high-tech and agricultural sectors. And she is firmly in favor of protecting the state's military bases and national labs.
An Air Force Academy graduate and former National Security Council staffer, Wilson is concerned about a post-Sept. 11 complacency that's settled over the country. She says it must be offset by leaders “who will steward our nation's defense so that everyone else can go on with our lives.” In the House that stewardship has included votes for funding the troops in Iraq while pressing the administration for accountability on electronic surveillance here. In the Senate it would include a focus on what's in “our best interest” in Iraq, hard questions on what needs to be done to get Iraqi forces to step up and efforts to keep the country from becoming a safe haven for al-Qaida while allowing our troops to come home. And it would include financial sanctions against Iran balanced by a re-opened embassy in Tehran to nurture pro-Western feelings.
These multipronged approaches bolster Wilson's argument that she's a thoughtful representative, not a lock-step partisan.
The winner of the June 3 primary faces Democratic Rep. Tom Udall in November. The Journal recommends voters put Rep. Heather Wilson on that ballot.
1st Congressional District Democrat — Heinrich: The partisan two-step is a common dance during the political season: A step toward the party regulars who often determine the primary results, a step back toward the center in time for the general election.
But Martin Heinrich established a record of putting one foot in front of the other to build consensus on the often contentious Albuquerque City Council. His liberal leanings are clear, but so is the pragmatism and respect for other points of view that endow Heinrich with the ability to listen, accommodate and move difficult initiatives forward. That would be a welcome talent in Congress.
The Heinrich Maneuver was key to navigating the controversy of the city minimum wage ordinance and producing a measure that the business community and activists could live with. It was apparent outside of City Hall when he worked with ranchers, Native Americans and outdoor recreation interests to build the bridges that helped lead to federal establishment of the Ojito Wilderness.
Issues topping Heinrich's list that are in dire need of consensus include health care reform, re-energizing the economy with investments in green technology, middle-class tax relief, securing U.S. borders and setting a realistic timeline for withdrawing from Iraq. A mechanical engineer by training, he has a keen appreciation of the national labs' role in national security, research and the New Mexico economy.
The Journal endorses Martin Heinrich in the Democratic primary.
1st Congressional District Republican — White: Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has had more than a few tough discussions in his 20-plus years in law enforcement. He thinks it's time our lawmakers in Washington started having some as well.
Instead of interviewing athletes about steroids, White says he would tackle the war in Iraq, continuing to fund the troops and fight al-Qaida while recognizing mistakes and pushing the Iraqi government harder on accountability. He would advocate for free trade while demanding officials revisit the tax rate imposed on small businesses. He would push for a secure border while implementing a temporary worker program and giving employers the tools to verify residency of potential hires.
“Why isn't Congress having this discussion?” White asks. His answer: The system is all about scoring political points. And easy points, he says, don't solve hard problems. His 11 years in the executive branches of local and state government have given him experience in getting things done, White says, as has his work as a Rodell fellow with the Aspen Institute.
Politics “doesn't have to be so caustic,” White says. “You can work across partisan lines, you can have a robust debate, you can stand up for what you believe in ... (but) you need to do something. I believe in what I do. I live it.”
White has the background and temperament to do something positive for politics and New Mexico. The Journal endorses him in the GOP primary.
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