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Hood River News Editorial
October 28, 2006
The race between Rep. Greg Walden and Democratic opponent Carol Voisin
for U.S. Congress, Second District, has been a low-key, cordial one.
The candidates have conducted a friendly campaign, with Voisin running
on issues and ideas over Iraq, forestry policy, and the budget
deficit.
Walden has “run” with some radio and print ads, but mostly by just
doing his job.
He has done his job well.
Greg Walden certainly deserves to be re-elected.
Voisin, an Ashland resident who by her own admission is running a
distinct uphill battle against Walden, is an extremely capable person
who has represented her party well, and she should be encouraged to
pursue public service again.
Walden has shown himself as an honorable man and true public servant
who holds all Oregonians in mind, not just those of the Second
District or Hood River County.
The hallmark of Walden’s service over the last three years has been
his bipartisan work with Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer on the Mt.
Hood Legacy Act, which expands wilderness areas and adds more rivers
in the Mount Hood/Gorge area to protected status.
Walden, who chairs the Forests and Forest Health Subcommittee, helped
write and pass the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, which has cleared
the way for thinning forests of excess fuel loads. He also wrote and
got the House to approve the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research
Act that would expedite the process to allow the harvest of burned,
dead and dying trees after a fire and the replanting of a forest
sooner.
While this initiative has its detractors, in the long run it will
benefit both the forests and local economies.
Walden has the support of the Oregon Farm Bureau and other
agricultural and ranch groups, and Oregonians for Food and Shelter.
Walden finds time to visit Hood River and the Second District on a
remarkably frequent basis, yet maintains a near-perfect voting
attendance record in D.C.
Walden has repeatedly proven he is here when needed and there when
needed. Part of that is a reflection of his role as assistant party
whip. With that in mind, the Second District will continue to benefit
from the ongoing respect and influence of its Native Son, who should
be returned to Congress. |
