Sun editorial:

Our choices for Congress

Why Dina Titus would best represent Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 | 2:07 a.m.

As Republican Jon Porter nears completion of his third term representing Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, he has done little to distinguish himself from the crowd.

The consummate backbencher, Porter has been a loyal foot soldier for the Bush administration, though he began to move away from some of its destructive policies this past term. Still, he voted 75 percent with fellow Republicans in 2007, according to the Congressional Quarterly.

If voters are seeking dynamic leadership to represent a district that cries out for someone who would fight on behalf of them instead of special interests, they would be much better served by sending Democratic challenger Dina Titus to Congress.

The longtime state Senate minority leader and UNLV political science professor is well known to Southern Nevadans. In the Nevada Legislature she supported programs that benefited children, seniors and the disabled.

Her legislation created the successful Nevada Check Up Program for uninsured children. Seniors can purchase less expensive drugs from Canada because of a bill she co-sponsored. Nevadans also have Titus to thank for a law that doubled the penalties for offenders who commit crimes against disabled individuals.

As an educator, she has been a tireless advocate of smaller classes and full-day kindergarten. Her environmental record is impeccable, including pushing Nevada toward greater development of renewable energy resources. An example was legislation she sponsored that required Nevada’s utility companies to acquire a certain percentage of renewable energy as part of the power they sell to consumers. She also played a key role in the preservation of Red Rock Canyon.

These are the types of legislative achievements voters can expect from Titus if they send her to Washington.

What have Southern Nevadans gained from having Porter in Congress? Not much. His list of accomplishments is as thin as a wafer. That explains why his TV advertising campaign has largely consisted of negative attacks on Titus that have been as nasty as they have been untrue.

With Southern Nevada’s housing market reeling from record foreclosure rates, Titus said she would work to get funding to the district to help residents save their homes.

Titus can be expected to take a lead role in the expansion of renewable energy production in this country and would seek legislation, modeled after the Nevada law she sponsored, to require other utilities to include such power in their portfolios.

She believes Medicare recipients deserve a break in the form of a fix of the “doughnut hole” that forces them to pay for many of their health care expenses.

Voters could count on Titus to fight Big Oil and work hard to stem the flow of American jobs overseas. She also advocates “pay as you go” budgeting for the federal government. And she would fully fund the No Child Left Behind law for public schools.

Titus supports a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and would use diplomacy in dealing with Iran. But she also would step up America’s military involvement in Afghanistan and encourage neighboring Pakistan to do its part.

“Everyone who blew us up on 9/11 was in Afghanistan,” Titus said. “We have to hunt down the terrorists, and we should still be committed to finding Osama bin Laden.”

What Titus offers is an intelligent, thoughtful perspective that would stick out in the halls of Congress but which is now missing from the 3rd Congressional District representative. The Sun endorses Dina Titus.

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

By jfnance32

10/17/08 at 2:22 a.m.

Suggest removal

Ms. Taxus would have to become a Pelosi Puppy because she will be a rookie House member at the bottom of the pile.

Pelosi will say, "Raise taxes!" and Ms. Taxus would reply, "How high?"
By neiman1

10/17/08 at 6:44 a.m.

Suggest removal

titus will be one more vote for Nancy Pelosi. The queen of San Fransisco already has harry Reid on her puppet strings. Don't give more Nevada votes to San Fransisco. Pelosi has sworn No Drilling Ever. Biden has sworn No Coal use in America, ever. Las Vegas will be empty if gasoline returns to $4.00 or goes to $6.00. Deny San Fransisco any more votes in the Congress.
By bremskraft

10/17/08 at 7:02 a.m.

Suggest removal

I'd choose Nancy Pelosi over George Bush any day. Anyone every heard of the financial meltdown and mortgage crisis around here? Besides, everyone knows that more drilling does not equal more gas - oil companies sell it on the open market, and it doesn't always stay in the U.S. Also, if we were to start drilling now, we wouldn't see that oil for another 10 years. With global climate change, We need a new way - not more big bucks for Dick Cheney and Bush's oil barons.
By mikegino

10/17/08 at 7:03 a.m.

Suggest removal

What a startling and courageous endorsement! Not. After this November, the big question for Nevadans is whether we elect Porter or Heller to replace a decrepit Pinky.
By KDR81

10/17/08 at 8:19 a.m.

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I love it how, government agencies, companies working for the government and unions are NEVER special interests?

Yes, the fact that our tax money goes to those people, those people turn around and fund Democrats and ask for more tax dollars to go to them makes them NON-Special interests.

Nope they're out for the interest of everyone.

...riiiiiiiiiight.
By SpellCheck

10/17/08 at 3:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

The endorsement makes an important point - Porter is "the consummate backbencher." Titus seems to have an independent streak in her, and that's what my neighborhood around Silverado Ranch likes about her. With the arguments against her here, you could simply replace Titus with Porter and Pelosi with Bush and you'd sum up the other side's arguments as well. Time for a little original thought it seems.
By Tokoloshe

10/17/08 at 6:44 p.m.

Suggest removal

I think titus is about as sharp as a marble.
By MknightLV

10/18/08 at 11:24 a.m.

Suggest removal

Porter has sent many letters telling me why he can NOT vote for or against different bills I have supported or was against. Most of the bills were PRO BUSH and indeed he voted IN FAVOR of ANY and ALL Bush backed bills. 95% in fact. The final straw was when he VOTED AGAINST the VA Health Care bill a few months ago. Porter is a PUPPET of Bush, voting EXACTLY the way his master tells him to vote. Porter is in the pocket of the Gaming, Mining, and Insurance industries in Nevada. Go to Porters web page and see who contributes to his campaign fund. ALL RICH CORPORATIONS and PEOPLE. Porter is NOT for the average Tax Payer. He is for the RICH and NEVER backed anything for the Average Tax payer in Nevada. It's time for a CHANGE

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