The Times Herald Record Endorses ..... John Hall

Written by: Alan Goldston on Oct 22, 2006 4:34 PM EDT

I just noticed that the recordonline.com, the web version of the Times Herald Record, a moderate-to-conservative Hudson Valley newspaper, today posted that paper's editorial endorsement of John Hall. For those who want to read it directly, or forward the link to friends, it is

www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.d...

For the rest of us, who are too lazy to link, but want something to share around, here's the full text. Pass it on!

"For Congress: Hall over Kelly
The 19th District needs a new set of eyes, one that can see if the emperor is naked.October 22, 2006
There comes a time in our personal and professional lives when we must be held accountable for what we do, or don't do. When we explain who we really are, what we really stand for. This is Sue Kelly's time and she has failed miserably. With her steadfast allegiance to the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq and blind loyalty to a House Republican leadership that has condoned, covered up or contributed directly to corrupt politics while ignoring the needs of hard-pressed middle-class Americans, she has forfeited her right to re-election to Congress. Instead, we encourage voters in the 19th Congressional District to send a new voice with different ideas, and loyalties, to Washington, D.C. -- John Hall, the Democratic candidate.

Kelly came into Congress a dozen years ago with the Newt Gingrich-led GOP sweep and its famous "Contract With America" that promised reform of how the House of Representatives was run by Democrats. For her part, Kelly reserved the right to pick and choose on the contract, but pledged to work for "a smaller, smarter government which is more accountable to the American people." The GOP-led federal government may be many things, but smaller, smarter and more accountable are not among them. Kelly's sin is not necessarily that her vision has not been realized, but that she almost unfailingly defends what has been delivered instead.

Asked in a debate at the Record's offices about the various scandals, excessive spending and botched White House efforts in Iraq -- all attributable to Republicans -- Kelly insisted that's "not where my focus should be." Rather, she said, "My focus is on the 19th Congressional District. I've helped bring jobs here. I've helped to make sure our environment is safe. I've helped bring money to schools, hospitals. I've done a great deal of work for the people here. That's where the focus should be."

Sorry, congresswoman, the I've-brought-home-the-bacon argument is not enough this year. Not when Americans are demanding accountability for a costly botched war and are anxious about a federal government that seems to operate without any checks and balances. She says looking back at Iraq, on which she has supported the president, is "second-guessing." Hall more accurately describes it as "avoiding responsibility."

Yes, it is important now to find a viable way out, but ignoring the mistakes that got us there will lead to similar mistakes in the future. There is nothing wrong with admitting mistakes or being saddened by colleagues' misdeeds; there is a good deal wrong with trying to avoid dealing with them.

Certainly Kelly, whom we have endorsed in the past, has done some good for the district, brought in money and helped with constituent problems, but being in the House majority for 12 years should guarantee. What is at stake, however, as it was 12 years ago, is the public trust. Americans need to know that their elected representatives are working for them, not working to save their own cushy jobs in Washington. Sad to say, Kelly sounds like too many other Republican candidates this year, trying to defend the indefensible.
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As for Hall, he is not merely a token candidate, filling out a ballot line for the Democratic Party. If he were, we would have to think twice about replacing Kelly. A former leader of the rock group Orleans and a former Ulster County legislator, Hall is articulate and well-versed on the issues. He favors universal health care and wants to narrow the gap between the rich and everyone else. He worries about the country's growing debt.

"I'm not a professional politician," he says. "I'm a citizen running for office." OK, he's a citizen with the financial backing of a lot of not-so-average Americans. But when he looks at Iraq, he doesn't think Donald Rumsfeld knows more about it than he does and when he looks at the House page scandal, he doesn't need more facts to condemn Speaker Dennis Hastert's handling of it.

Some things are obvious, or ought to be, whatever one's political affiliation. The problem with Kelly and too many of her party colleagues is that they have been looking the other way for so long they can't focus on the problems today. The district needs a new set of eyes and a new commitment to a smaller, smarter, more accountable government."

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Location: Westchester County, NY 10583