< Back to news
The News Journal Endorsement
News Journal, The (Wilmington, DE)
October 24, 2004
OUR VIEW
CONGRESS
Re-elect Rep. Mike Castle
Author: NJ
Michael N. Castle has never lost a statewide race, but you would not know that if you watch him campaigning. Mike Castle is a Republican that thousands of Delaware Democrats support. He's smart and likeable. He listens to his constituents and draws a sharp line, when the leaders of his party veer from his basic principles. His independent voice has been beneficial to Delaware and a moderating force in the very conservative U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Castle deserves another term in Congress.
Whether he's talking with ordinary folks at the Delaware State Fair or responding to questions at Chamber of Commerce gathering, Mike Castle is the same person. His fiscal conservatism and moderate stance on social issues is a perfect fit with Delawareans. That's why he keeps getting re-elected.
Democrat Paul Donnelly is Rep. Castle's principal opponent. Mr. Donnelly, too, is smart and likeable. And he is an unabashed liberal, which is refr! eshing these days where the president of the United States uses the word liberal as a weapon. Mr. Donnelly lives in Smyrna and works as a family service worker for the Head Start Program in New Castle County.
Two issues of disagreement with Mr. Castle drove Mr. Donnelly's candidacy: the war in Iraq and education. Mr. Donnelly opposed the war before it began and continues to oppose it even when his son served in the Army in Iraq. He thinks the United States should have waited longer and secured U.N. help in dealing with Saddam Hussein.
Mr. Donnelly opposes Mr. Castle's efforts to reform the Head Start program by giving state's more control over the program. He thinks removal of federal control will destroy Head Start. Rep. Castle and many others, including us, think it has the potential to make the program more effective.
President Bush's No Child Left Behind program, which Rep. Castle co-sponsored in Congress, was a positive accomplishment for the pres! ident. It's aim is to make sure all children receive the full benefit s of public education, especially poor and minority students. Mr. Donnelly believes the program forces educators to teach to tests rather than impart knowledge and information. The No Child Left Behind program is underfuned and does burden the states. But with money and less rigorous federal regulation, it has the potential to succeed.
There are two other candidates for U.S. House of Representatives: William E. Morris of the Libertarian party, and Maurice J. Barros, of the Independent Party. These are well meaning men but they lack sufficient support to make an appreciable difference.
Rep. Castle sustained support for education has made him a leader on such issues in Congress. And his ardent support for federal support of stem cell research sets him apart from go-along Republicans who are afraid to buck the president on any issue. Mr. Castle knows that research on embryonic stem cells necessary and can be carried on ethically.
Mike Castle's deliberate an! d thoughtful approach to problems is part of his appeal to voters. Asked why he remains a Republican when many in his party shift ever more to the right, Mike Castle says he comfortable in his party and like to function as a moderating force in the party and in the House, where he leads a group of centrists who often hold the balance of power.
With all due respect to Mr. Donnelly for his run against Mike Castle, it remains a shame that no Democrat with statewide status has chosen to challenge him. Even though Mike Castle treats Mr. Donnelly's candidacy with respect, Mike Castle should have been challenged by a Jack Markell or a John Carney.
Mike Castle continues to do a find job for Delaware. We urge voters to send him back to Congress.
|
