Tuesday, Nov. 04, 2008

The State's endorsements

WE DON’T NEED to remind anyone about today’s presidential election. But there are several other important choices as well. Here’s a recap of The State editorial board's endorsements:

President. Sen. John McCain is far better prepared not only to be commander in chief, but to lead the nation as it deals with a complex array of global challenges. He has opposed his own party when it was wrong, often at great political risk, and exhibited fierce integrity, principled independence and awe-inspiring courage. Between two extraordinary candidates, he is the better qualified.

U.S. Senate. Sen. Lindsey Graham has been an exemplary senator from just about any perspective, working to advance important goals of his own party, speaking out forcefully when he believed (correctly) that it was wrong and working across party lines on important matters that defy party labels.

2nd Congressional District: Rep. Joe Wilson demonstrates a greater command of the issues and is a hard worker devoted to serving his district and his country.

5th District: Rep. John Spratt, a leading expert on fiscal issues, is better equipped to serve the district and the nation, now more than ever.

6th District: Rep. Jim Clyburn is passionately devoted to serving his district and is a highly experienced and savvy public servant who is clearly better qualified.

Constitutional Amendment 1. A constitution is not the place to set the age of consent for sex. We have a perfectly good law that sets the age at 16; if anything, the constitutional provision that says it cannot be lower than 12 could be exploited by defense attorneys to keep perverts out of prison. We recommend a “yes” vote.

Constitutional amendments 2 and 3: Some of the money for state government retirees’ pensions already is invested in the stock market. Amendment 2 would let the state invest a much smaller pot of money that pays for retiree health insurance. Amendment 3 would let cities and counties do likewise. Stocks are a smart long-term investment; without higher yields, governments must either further reduce services or raise taxes to meet these obligations. We recommend “ yes” votes.

Senate District 26. Sen. Nikki Setzler is respected and listened to by leaders in both the parties, and he is a consensus-builder — no small matter in our current political climate. His opponent is an attractive candidate, but the candidates’ histories strongly suggest that he will do a better job advancing the many important positions that both they and we support.

House District 79: Anton Gunn has an infectiously optimistic view of the potential of our state, defines the job of our Legislature as working to achieve that potential and is convinced that lawmakers can bridge the partisan divide by recognizing all they have in common and working first on those things they agree upon. He is an eloquent and persuasive debater who is determined to tackle our state’s most pressing problems.

House District 77: Michael Koska isn’t afraid to change his position when the facts dictate that, speaks his mind and is focused on the big problems. Although his opponent shares those characteristics, Mr. Koska would add to the group pushing centrism at the State House and in the Republican Caucus.

House District 85: Jim Nelson is willing to state his position and defend it, on pretty much any issue; if he doesn’t know enough to have an opinion, he’ll say so. The same can’t be said about the incumbent.

House District 87: Rep. Nikki Haley is smart, focused, straightforward and passionate. She works hard and with all kinds of people. She’s wrongheaded on a few big issues, but she’s willing to learn.

Lexington County coroner. We know of no reason longtime Coroner Harry Harmon should be replaced.

Cayce mayor. Elise Partin is a refreshing candidate who brings a positive outlook on community. She is sharp, does her homework and would expose attempts to put something over on the public. Not only did she oppose the annexation of the old “Green Diamond” property in Richland County, but her research revealed the council was about to annex the wrong property.

Richland County Council District 7: Celestine White Parker has good instincts about what the county’s priorities should be. She is easily a better choice than a former councilwoman best known for taking a taxpayer-funded Hawaiian junket.

Council District 8: Incumbent Mike Montgomery is a sharp, thoughtful, straightforward leader who works across party and racial lines for the public good. He’s known for staking out a position and saying what’s on his mind regardless of political consequences.

Lexington 1, Richland 2 and Lexington-Richland 5 school bonds. Although District 5 opponents argue otherwise, all three of these districts have a clear need to build new schools — the first two because of continued rapid growth, the third because it is so far behind in addressing growth that’s already occurred. Without new and updated schools, all will continue to squander money on costly portables and threaten achievement by subjecting students to inferior learning environments. We recommend “ yes” votes in all three districts.

Read our full endorsements at www.thestate.com/endorsements.