Louisville Courier Journal Endorsement: Re-elect Yarmuth.
Re-elect Yarmuth
Two years ago, the race in Kentucky's competitive 3rd Congressional District was one of the most closely watched House elections in the nation.
Democratic challenger John Yarmuth, who prevailed by a narrow margin in that campaign, was part of a wave that rode unhappiness with the war in Iraq to regain control of the U.S. House for the Democrats. Republican Rep. Anne Northup, whose close attention to local needs previously had overridden a voting record more conservative than the district, lost her seat after 10 years.
It's a rematch this year, but there is much less suspense. Nor should this be a difficult decision.
Mr. Yarmuth has done an exceptionally good job as a freshman representative, winning widespread recognition as one of the brightest new stars in Congress. He richly deserves re-election, and we endorse him enthusiastically.
In this election cycle, it is the economy that eclipses other issues. Mr. Yarmuth, who opposed the first financial rescue bill, voted for the second, improved bill, albeit with understandable reservations.
That was the responsible thing to do and contrasts with Mrs. Northup's misdirected insistence that the bill was a "profoundly bad idea."
Failing to act, quickly, risked even greater chaos in the credit and equity markets.
Moreover, Mr. Yarmuth is properly focused on provisions of the bailout that are aimed not simply at aiding Wall Street, but on providing greater oversight and helping families facing foreclosure to refinance their real-estate debt with cheaper government-insured mortgages.
Similarly, we share Mr. Yarmuth's persistent belief that Iraq was a terrible mistake and that Afghanistan is the real battleground against terror.
Mrs. Northup says that, if elected, she'll "pick up where we left off." Actually, Mr. Yarmuth already has done that, most impressively. He's the better choice.
Two years ago, the race in Kentucky's competitive 3rd Congressional District was one of the most closely watched House elections in the nation.
Democratic challenger John Yarmuth, who prevailed by a narrow margin in that campaign, was part of a wave that rode unhappiness with the war in Iraq to regain control of the U.S. House for the Democrats. Republican Rep. Anne Northup, whose close attention to local needs previously had overridden a voting record more conservative than the district, lost her seat after 10 years.
It's a rematch this year, but there is much less suspense. Nor should this be a difficult decision.
Mr. Yarmuth has done an exceptionally good job as a freshman representative, winning widespread recognition as one of the brightest new stars in Congress. He richly deserves re-election, and we endorse him enthusiastically.
In this election cycle, it is the economy that eclipses other issues. Mr. Yarmuth, who opposed the first financial rescue bill, voted for the second, improved bill, albeit with understandable reservations.
That was the responsible thing to do and contrasts with Mrs. Northup's misdirected insistence that the bill was a "profoundly bad idea."
Failing to act, quickly, risked even greater chaos in the credit and equity markets.
Moreover, Mr. Yarmuth is properly focused on provisions of the bailout that are aimed not simply at aiding Wall Street, but on providing greater oversight and helping families facing foreclosure to refinance their real-estate debt with cheaper government-insured mortgages.
Similarly, we share Mr. Yarmuth's persistent belief that Iraq was a terrible mistake and that Afghanistan is the real battleground against terror.
Mrs. Northup says that, if elected, she'll "pick up where we left off." Actually, Mr. Yarmuth already has done that, most impressively. He's the better choice.
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