EAGLE TIMES ENDORSES JENNIFER HORN!

Elect Horn

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Two years ago, Democrat Paul Hodes rode a wave of anti-Bush sentiment over the war in Iraq to victory in New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District against Republican Charlie Bass.

In November, Hodes will face a newcomer, Republican Jennifer Horn of Nashua. While we remain in Iraq, the troop surge has proven successful in bringing stability to that nation and today Congress is more preoccupied with finding solutions to the tailspin that the U.S. economy has found itself in. The Republican party squandered a tremendous opportunity to live up to its small government philosophy when it went on a spending binge while in control of both Houses of Congress. It paid a political price for that profligacy but now it needs candidates who will help the party get its bearings back instead of pushing for a greater role for government in the economy and more.

We believe Jennifer Horn will help the GOP get back to its roots. She strongly supports reduced taxes for everyone -- not tax credits which in reality are wealth transfers -- and understands lower taxes can fuel economic growth better than anything. On health insurance, another key domestic issue, Horn favors a more market-oriented approach as way to lower costs and improve choice as opposed to more government involvement that will only lead to rationed care and higher costs. Her stance on energy independence, fighting and winning the war on terror and giving parents more educational choice instead of pouring billions more into failing public schools, are positions that will benefit working families in the district.

Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives two years ago -- filling the seat of Bernie Sanders, now a U.S. Senator -- Democrat Peter Welch has brought a reasoned and thoughtful approach to Washington that keeps in mind what is best for Vermonters above all else.

Welch first voted against the recent $700 billion bailout, citing its lack of oversight, before fighting for and accepting changes that led to its passage. Acknowledging it was not perfect, Welch understood its broader significance in calming the jittery markets and protecting the homes, jobs and savings of Vermont residents. It is also worth noting the Welch, in at least one statement, recognized this crisis was the product of mistakes on Wall Street as well as Main Street, with too many American buying homes they could not afford.

Though at times too partisan, who in Washington isn't, Welch has shown he is more interested in improving the lives of average Americans than scoring political points. And he has the temperament to work effectively with the Republicans. A prime example of that cooperation was a bill he authored to expand employment opportunities for veterans that passed with strong bipartisan support. He has also sponsored legislation on helping Vermont farmers.

Not all the issues do we find ourselves in agreement with Welch, such as the details of ending our engagement in Iraq, but overall, Vermont has, in Welch, a hardworking representative who has the political skills and the knowledge to do what is best for the Green Mountain State. He deserves to be re-elected Nov. 4