Put aside your contempt for tweedledee and tweedledum – Colorado voters will have clear choices this fall in the state’s seven congressional races. It’s a dynamic that should lend itself to issue-oriented campaigns.
The candidates can do all of us favor by dashing any thoughts they may have about engaging in the politics of personal destruction – there will be enough of that from outside groups. Voters deserve an honest, open debate on issues that really matter.
We live in interesting, dramatic times, as a nation at war and a country too often divided by political lines and hardened ideological arteries.
Ed Perlmutter vs. Rick O’Donnell highlights the congressional ballot because the 7th District is divided evenly between the two parties and independents. They provide a clear contrast, but they’re not the only ones. Republican Marilyn Musgrave is being challenged by state lawmaker Angie Paccione in the 4th; and in the 5th, the open Joel Hefley seat will feature Doug Lamborn, the Republican, vs. Jeff Fawcett, the Democrat. Incumbents Diana DeGette, John Salazar, Tom Tancredo and Mark Udall seem safe, but their views can and will be challenged.
Rather than pin their career hopes on unpopular wedge issues, we’d like to see the candidates offer substantive ideas and solutions for our nation’s challenges.
The war in Iraq. Congress gave President Bush carte blanche to pursue his invasion of Iraq in the wake of Sept. 11. Now the effort has lost popular support and Congress must press fresh policy options that will support the Iraqi people.
Energy. When President Bush himself says we’re a nation addicted to oil, you know things have gotten out of control. Coloradans will want to hear each candidate’s plans for weaning the country off foreign oil. It’s a security issue, as well as an environmental issue. With solar and wind energy, Colorado should be at the forefront of the renewable energy movement but will need strong leadership from its congressional delegation to make that reality.
Budget. The national debt is stratospheric, and government is spending much more than it collects. How can Congress cut taxes and fund an open-ended war effort? Where should spending be cut?
Embryonic stem-cell research. Congress approved federal funding for medical research, but Bush vetoed it. The issue will resurface again next year if Congress can get a veto-proof majority after this election. Republican candidates will have to explain why it’s OK for embryos to be tossed away, as many are today, when they could be preserved for possible life-saving research.
Social Security. Democrats erupted in wild applause during Bush’s State of the Union speech this year when he said his plan to revamp the popular program failed. Candidates must commit themselves to fortifying the pension system and offer specific suggestions.
O’Donnell is under the gun for an essay he wrote 11 years ago advocating the end of Social Security, saying it’s almost “un-American” for seniors to expect government to care for them. Democrats will press the issue, and he’ll need to come up with a better plan than “all options should be on the table.” Perl- mutter will be expected to do the same.
Immigration. Congress was too spooked to do anything about immigration during an election year, so voters will expect candidates to offer solutions. Secure borders and a fair guest-worker program will be among the hot issues of the fall.
That’s a starter list for dozens of issues that can be debated this fall – enough to squeeze the air out of any name-calling.
