EDITORIAL: For Congress - Opinion

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Oct. 19, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: For Congress

All three of Nevada's incumbent congressional representatives have drawn challengers this year.

In the 2nd Congressional District -- encompassing most of Northern Nevada and a few rural areas in the south -- incumbent congressman and former Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller explains he voted against the $700 billion bank bailout bill this month because this massive government intervention did nothing either to help individual constituents or to change the banking regulations that caused the problem -- and could still lead to a repeat performance.

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Democratic challenger Jill Derby has her party sound bites memorized, acknowledging she favors socialized medicine with the justification that "We're all in this together." Ms. Derby wants to raise taxes -- but only on those with enough wealth to invest in creating new jobs, of course -- and would get rid of secret ballots in union representation elections.

Nevadans should continue to resist the siren song of top-down control and simple-minded socialism, proudly returning the knowledgeable and principled Dean Heller to Congress for the 2nd District.

In the 3rd Congressional District, incumbent Republican Jon Porter has strayed from conservative principles of late to vote for a pork-laden farm bill and to expand federal subsidies for a child health insurance program, among others. But his small business background and his commitment to develop domestic oil supplies still make him the stronger choice at a time when Nevada needs new jobs and the restored tourist traffic that falling jet and motor fuel prices can bring.

Democratic challenger Dina Titus -- an articulate and personable state legislator and college professor -- tilts considerably to the left. Sending her to Congress would only reinforce a Democratic leadership that's heading in the wrong direction for Nevada. Voters should retain Jon Porter in the 3rd District.

Incumbent Democrat Shelley Berkley, in a district considered "safe" based on registration numbers, faces underfunded Republican challenger Ken Wegner in the 1st Congressional District. While we disagree with Rep. Berkley on a number of issues, she is a tireless worker committed to her constituents and the state. Voters in the 1st District can safely retain the personable Shelley Berkley.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. theshark wrote on November 04, 2008 06:06 AM: Wow. I came here for a voting guide, and I see the Porter endorsement. Just moved here and that's the only candidate I know about. That the LVRJ would endorse this whackjob makes me leery of the whole "voting guide." Think I'll just flip a coin for the rest, thank you. John F wrote on October 19, 2008 04:21 PM: In another editorial today, the editors say that, "it's clear the country craves precisely that (change), desperately seeking a leader who will upset the beltway status quo and reinvigorate the principles that built the greatest country on earth and are the key to restoring this nation's pride and promise. "That's why we support John McCain for president." So how do you square that with your decision to endorse both Porter and Berkley? You say we need to change from the policies of the Bush administration. Well, if that's so, the Porter has to go. You also say that the Democratic agenda is the wrong way to go in pursuit of change. If that is so, then Berkley has to go, also. The editors sure talk a good change game, but when push comes to shove, they come down squarely on the side of the status quo. And why not? The status quo has served their kind very well the past eight years. Susan wrote on October 19, 2008 01:37 PM: We should not re-elect John Porter. He is another Bush clone who has done nothing to advance our state. There is nothing wrong with the Democratic agenda. After all, we are a DEMOCRATIC NATION. I agree with you, Oliver. gavin wrote on October 19, 2008 01:04 PM: Retain Jon Porter in the 3rd District?!? What are all of you guys smoking up in the editorial room? Jon Porter is a washed up insurance salesman who has done NOTHING in his 6 yrs in congress. Endorsing him over Dina Titus is like voting for Spam over a Steak. Put party aside and look at the candidates. This guy wins every time not because he has a record of accomplishment, but because he runs the SLEEZIEST ads Nevada has ever seen. He has nothing good to say about himself because he hasn't done anything. Instead, he trashes his opponents. Last time, Tessa Hafen who was born and raised in NV was labelled a carpetbagger. This time Dina Titus, a lifelong teacher and legislature is "out for herself" and is "self serving". If she was obsessed with wealth and power, like Porter says, dont you think she would have chose another, higher paying profession. You guys dont even look at the candidates, you just pick Republican down the line. Berkley doesnt count, thats just you guys covering your ass and readership when she wins with 2/3 of the vote. The R-J bias comes through once again... Tim wrote on October 19, 2008 09:52 AM: shilley berkley?where did that come from?she's a crook,she was also in on getting rid of tark the shark.i will never vote for her.funny how she shuts up around election time,just waiting to see if people are sick of entrenched politicians.wait till after elction day to see the real berkely,all taxes all the time. Oliver wrote on October 19, 2008 08:48 AM: In your endorsement of Jon Porter, you state that the Democratic leadership is "heading in the wrong direction for Nevada". Excuse me, but I would like you to enumerate the reasons for this statement. Is Senator Harry Reid a part of this "wrong direction"? Jon Porter has done little in Congress except to support Bush's disasterous policies and it is time to bring him home for good. LittleBird wrote on October 19, 2008 06:48 AM: Thanks for the biased opinion of the R-J.Some of our short memories are still with us.Mr.Heller was the only politician that I could back.He voted the way we pleaded with him on the $700B giveaway.Porter and Berkley showed their true colors on the final vote.We knew Porter would go with Bush(just as he has on most issues,right or wrong)we don't need a follower,we want leaders.Berkley caved and showed her true colors.Heller is the only incumbent I would even consider voting for(the man has some backbone and has proved he can make a decision on his own,and not cave),but my vote hasn't been cast as yet.