It’s time to vote today after the longest and most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history. And, just as a reminder, here are The Washington Examiner’s endorsements in several key races in the Washington region:
For president and vice-president: John McCain and Sarah Palin. Unlike Barack Obama, McCain has an extensive military background, and the raw courage he exhibited as a POW in North Vietnam will make him an outstanding commander-in-chief of a nation still at war. Running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, battled corruption in her own party and her state’s biggest industry. The two Republican mavericks are the nation’s best insurance against a Democratic Congress run amok.
For U.S. senator in Virginia: Jim Gilmore’s tax-cutting record has been distorted by Democratic opponent Mark Warner, but if the former Republican governor broke his campaign promises like Warner did, Virginians would now be paying a 70 percent higher car tax. Unfortunately, Gilmore’s forlorn campaign never caught fire.
VA 8th: Republican challenger Mark Ellmore is a welcome alternative to incumbent Democrat Rep. Jim Moran who has once again lived up to his reputation as a “crude pro-pork bully” (Esquire Magazine) by securing a $2 million earmark for a California billionaire convicted of lying to the SEC.
VA 10th District: Incumbent Rep. Frank Wolf, one of Congress’ most outspoken human rights advocates, also deserves reelection for championing offshore drilling and trying to fix the entitlement crisis before it’s too late.
VA 11th District: Republican Keith Fimian has been the target of a vicious mud-slinging campaign by Fairfax Board chairman Gerry Connolly and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, who are trying to distract voters from Connolly’s record: Double-digit tax increases, rising crime, un-enforced zoning ordinances, numerous apparent conflicts of interest, and a $430 million budget deficit.
MD 5th District: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is a key player in a Democratic Congress that has earned even lower public approval ratings than President Bush. But Hoyer – who battled Nancy Pelosi ally John Murtha for the leadership post – is a pragmatic centrist who will modulate his party’s lurch leftward.
For DC Council at large: Patrick Mara, who upset longtime Councilmember Carol Schwartz in the GOP primary, has taken a pledge not to raise taxes and will be a strong advocate for homeowners and small businesses.
Finally, a hat tip to all the candidates who willingly put their private lives on hold – and in some cases on display – to run for public office and in so doing, graced our nation with their sense of duty and sacrifice.
