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Wednesday
March 17, 2010 Since 1922 |
John F. Kerry for president
From staff reports
Baytown Sun Published October 17, 2004 A political endorsement represents a consensus of The Baytown Sun editorial board, which is composed of the following members: Wanda Garner Cash, publisher; David Bloom, managing editor; Dee Anne Navarre, business manager; Joseph Lohan, assistant managing editor; Meredith Darnell, news editor; Jim Finley, columnist and former managing editor; and Jane Howard Lee, columnist and former reporter.
A tally as to how the board voted also appears.
+ + +
Our endorsement of Sen. John F. Kerry is based on the need for a change in leadership. Based on his record, President Bush does not deserve re-election.
Kerry’s Vietnam record as a soldier and a protester has taught him valuable lessons about the limits of American power and the importance of a president playing it straight at home and across the world.
Kerry’s decades of public service give him a clear understanding of domestic issues. His beliefs on how America is supposed to work spring from the core of our democracy. His social policies are informed by compassion that is pragmatic and real and not just an alliterative campaign slogan.
He knows it’s unacceptable that 45 million Americans lack health coverage, and he has a plan to shrink that number. He won’t shrug or smirk when he sees American children slipping into poverty or more paychecks losing buying power.
John Kerry knows America needs to get back to work, to reclaim lost jobs, realign our trading partners and rebuild the surplus that Bush eroded into a $422 billion deficit.
He will work to reverse the tax cuts for the very wealthy and use the money to improve health care and help middle- and lower-class families.
Kerry understands the importance of homeland security, of working with our allies to fight terrorism and nuclear weapons proliferation. He also would end the back-door draft of American reservists and the use of American soldiers as imperial police.
George Bush wrongly transformed the war on terrorism into an invasion of Iraq — a reckless decision still exacting a painful toll in lives, credibility, alliances, Islamic anger and lost opportunities.
Ending the military occupation of Iraq must be a top priority for the next administration. This will be no easy task, but Kerry is more likely to do it — and with more understanding of Middle Eastern realities.
America is suffering because of Bush’s poor decisions and policies: the misguided war in Iraq and its aftermath, undisciplined spending, assaults on constitutional rights and a religious social agenda that is wrong for the government of a diverse republic.
Although our endorsement of John Kerry is not without reservations, we believe he is the kind of leader America needs now. A leader who sees the world clearly, who understands domestic issues, who can rebuild international alliances, and empower a government for the benefit of all Americans
Editorial board vote: 4 for Kerry, 1 for Bush, 2 undecided.
+ + +
U.S. District 2
Nick Lampson
Four-term veteran congressman Nick Lampson, a Democrat from Beaumont, is our recommendation for the newly drawn U.S. District 2.
Redistricting gave Baytown-area voters the new 2nd District along with two other reconfigured congressional districts. Democrat Gene Green and Republican Ron Paul, both veterans of the U.S. House of Representatives, are the likely victors in their individual races for the District 29 and District 14 seats, respectively.
In the midst of this change, electing Lampson would ensure representative consistency. Lampson is being challenged by Republican Ted Poe, a high-profile former judge.
They are vying for the GOP-leaning 2nd District, which covers the eastern portion of Baytown within Harris County boundaries and encompasses Highlands, Barrett Station, Crosby and parts of McNair.
Lampson’s familiarity with our area, experience and seniority makes him the best choice.
He serves as the ranking member on the House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and he has been a strong advocate for the NASA manned space program, protecting and educating our children, creating long-term solutions to the care of seniors and bringing jobs and economic opportunity to Southeast Texas.
Lampson has received widespread support for his re-election. Among the more than 200 organizations endorsing him are the National Rifle Association, the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, the National Association of Firefighters, the Texas State Teachers Association, the American Nurses Association and the Texas Farm Bureau.
Editorial board vote: 6 for Lampson, 1 for Poe.
+ + +
Texas House District 126
Wayne Smith
Voters should re-elect Wayne Smith of Baytown to the Texas House District 128 seat that includes Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte and Morgan’s Point.
Smith is the easy choice for us based largely upon his job performance in Austin.
In his first campaign, Smith unabashedly proclaimed himself “the Baytown candidate.” He backed that up with bills — which the governor signed into law — to block the proposed TSP landfill and create a proper system for approving landfills in the future.
That was Smith’s promise if he was elected, and it was kept in full.
Smith’s demonstrated ability to work with fellow legislators, Democrats or Republicans, also merits his re-election.
Meanwhile, Smith’s Democratic challenger, Mitch Contreras of Deer Park, offers an articulate advocacy that we hope he will apply to other public service opportunities.
Editorial board vote: 6 for Smith, 1 for Contreras.
+ + +
Chambers County sheriff
Joe LaRive
The race for sheriff of Chambers County is about leadership and vision, and the creation of a safer Chambers County.
The voters in Chambers County are left with a complicated choice for sheriff between good men — Joe LaRive or Hugh Sigers — with good intentions — to restore the image of a department tarnished by myriad scandals. The winner replaces Sheriff Monroe Kreuzer Jr.
Our choice is Joe LaRive, a self-described “conservative Democrat,” who has the experience and personality to establish a credible, professional law enforcement agency.
Editorial board vote: 6 for LaRive, 1 for Sigers.
+ + +
Harris County sheriff
Tommy Thomas
With eight years on the job and more than 34-years of law enforcement experience, Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas wins our support for re-election hands down.
Editorial board vote: 7 for Thomas.
Baytown Sun Published October 17, 2004 A political endorsement represents a consensus of The Baytown Sun editorial board, which is composed of the following members: Wanda Garner Cash, publisher; David Bloom, managing editor; Dee Anne Navarre, business manager; Joseph Lohan, assistant managing editor; Meredith Darnell, news editor; Jim Finley, columnist and former managing editor; and Jane Howard Lee, columnist and former reporter.
A tally as to how the board voted also appears.
+ + +
Our endorsement of Sen. John F. Kerry is based on the need for a change in leadership. Based on his record, President Bush does not deserve re-election.
Kerry’s Vietnam record as a soldier and a protester has taught him valuable lessons about the limits of American power and the importance of a president playing it straight at home and across the world.
Kerry’s decades of public service give him a clear understanding of domestic issues. His beliefs on how America is supposed to work spring from the core of our democracy. His social policies are informed by compassion that is pragmatic and real and not just an alliterative campaign slogan.
He knows it’s unacceptable that 45 million Americans lack health coverage, and he has a plan to shrink that number. He won’t shrug or smirk when he sees American children slipping into poverty or more paychecks losing buying power.
John Kerry knows America needs to get back to work, to reclaim lost jobs, realign our trading partners and rebuild the surplus that Bush eroded into a $422 billion deficit.
He will work to reverse the tax cuts for the very wealthy and use the money to improve health care and help middle- and lower-class families.
Kerry understands the importance of homeland security, of working with our allies to fight terrorism and nuclear weapons proliferation. He also would end the back-door draft of American reservists and the use of American soldiers as imperial police.
George Bush wrongly transformed the war on terrorism into an invasion of Iraq — a reckless decision still exacting a painful toll in lives, credibility, alliances, Islamic anger and lost opportunities.
Ending the military occupation of Iraq must be a top priority for the next administration. This will be no easy task, but Kerry is more likely to do it — and with more understanding of Middle Eastern realities.
America is suffering because of Bush’s poor decisions and policies: the misguided war in Iraq and its aftermath, undisciplined spending, assaults on constitutional rights and a religious social agenda that is wrong for the government of a diverse republic.
Although our endorsement of John Kerry is not without reservations, we believe he is the kind of leader America needs now. A leader who sees the world clearly, who understands domestic issues, who can rebuild international alliances, and empower a government for the benefit of all Americans
Editorial board vote: 4 for Kerry, 1 for Bush, 2 undecided.
+ + +
U.S. District 2
Nick Lampson
Four-term veteran congressman Nick Lampson, a Democrat from Beaumont, is our recommendation for the newly drawn U.S. District 2.
Redistricting gave Baytown-area voters the new 2nd District along with two other reconfigured congressional districts. Democrat Gene Green and Republican Ron Paul, both veterans of the U.S. House of Representatives, are the likely victors in their individual races for the District 29 and District 14 seats, respectively.
In the midst of this change, electing Lampson would ensure representative consistency. Lampson is being challenged by Republican Ted Poe, a high-profile former judge.
They are vying for the GOP-leaning 2nd District, which covers the eastern portion of Baytown within Harris County boundaries and encompasses Highlands, Barrett Station, Crosby and parts of McNair.
Lampson’s familiarity with our area, experience and seniority makes him the best choice.
He serves as the ranking member on the House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and he has been a strong advocate for the NASA manned space program, protecting and educating our children, creating long-term solutions to the care of seniors and bringing jobs and economic opportunity to Southeast Texas.
Lampson has received widespread support for his re-election. Among the more than 200 organizations endorsing him are the National Rifle Association, the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, the National Association of Firefighters, the Texas State Teachers Association, the American Nurses Association and the Texas Farm Bureau.
Editorial board vote: 6 for Lampson, 1 for Poe.
+ + +
Texas House District 126
Wayne Smith
Voters should re-elect Wayne Smith of Baytown to the Texas House District 128 seat that includes Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte and Morgan’s Point.
Smith is the easy choice for us based largely upon his job performance in Austin.
In his first campaign, Smith unabashedly proclaimed himself “the Baytown candidate.” He backed that up with bills — which the governor signed into law — to block the proposed TSP landfill and create a proper system for approving landfills in the future.
That was Smith’s promise if he was elected, and it was kept in full.
Smith’s demonstrated ability to work with fellow legislators, Democrats or Republicans, also merits his re-election.
Meanwhile, Smith’s Democratic challenger, Mitch Contreras of Deer Park, offers an articulate advocacy that we hope he will apply to other public service opportunities.
Editorial board vote: 6 for Smith, 1 for Contreras.
+ + +
Chambers County sheriff
Joe LaRive
The race for sheriff of Chambers County is about leadership and vision, and the creation of a safer Chambers County.
The voters in Chambers County are left with a complicated choice for sheriff between good men — Joe LaRive or Hugh Sigers — with good intentions — to restore the image of a department tarnished by myriad scandals. The winner replaces Sheriff Monroe Kreuzer Jr.
Our choice is Joe LaRive, a self-described “conservative Democrat,” who has the experience and personality to establish a credible, professional law enforcement agency.
Editorial board vote: 6 for LaRive, 1 for Sigers.
+ + +
Harris County sheriff
Tommy Thomas
With eight years on the job and more than 34-years of law enforcement experience, Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas wins our support for re-election hands down.
Editorial board vote: 7 for Thomas.