After Carol Shea-Porter's stellar performance on Wednesday night, the
Conway Daily Sun had seen and heard enough to endorse her for a seat in Congress. While portions of the southern part of the state are reputed to be influenced towards the color blue by recent in-migrants from Massachusetts, there's no question that Conway, in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley is conservative. But that may well be why a fiscally conservative Democrat is appealing. As the editorial states, the Republicans have let them down.
The whole editorial can be read here on the
Sun's blog, but this is the gist:
Shea-Porter for Congress
The Republicans have abandoned us, and we will not help send one to Washington until they regain their senses and return to their historical role as advocates for limited government, protectors of personal freedom and expression, and responsible stewards of a tough but smart foreign policy.
And it is because we believe the Republicans have failed miserably and totally in handling the war in Iraq--the critical issue of our time--that we endorse Democrat Carol Shea-Porter for New Hampshire's First Congressional District seat.
It's absurd that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have a coherent strategy to either win the war or get out of it. President Bush has backed away from his catchy slogan, "stay the course," but his prosecution of the war has not fundamentally changed, even as Iraq slides into civil war.
The Democrats, including Shea-Porter, throw out alternatives, although we don't believe for a second they know more of what to do than the Republicans.
The difference? Democrats recognize that Iraq isn't working and pledge to fix it, while Republicans won't or can't. Shea-Porter's plan may never see the light of day, but we're sure, given the opportunity, she'll get behind one that will.
I don't know how to do a live link to youtube, but if you want to view excerpts of the Wednesday night debate with Jeb Bradley, there are three snippets worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/...
http://www.youtube.com/...
http://www.youtube.com/...
There's a fourth listed on her web site:
http://www.carolforcongress.com/
in which she suggests Donald Rumsfeld should have been fired a long time ago. But a major portion of that clip is consumed by a reporter asking a question rather tediously about global warming.
There's a rumor that the New York Times has decided this is one of ten races to watch. Up until now it's been fun flying under the radar.