Let Baird continue to serve us well
Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:51 AM PDT
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E-mail this articleVoters should have no problem separating Democratic Congressman Brian Baird from his Republican challenger, retired Toledo airline pilot Michael Messmore. On what has become something of a defining issue in the run-up to this year's congressional elections, the war in Iraq, the two could not be further apart. Baird sees the war as a tragic and increasingly costly mistake. Messmore calls it "the right fight."
The candidates' strongly stated positions on this one issue will influence some votes, no doubt. But there is a great deal more information available to voters -- eight-years' worth of information to be found in Baird's record representing the 3rd Congressional District. It's a record that we believe makes Baird the clear choice in the Nov. 7 election.
To get sense of the congressman's work ethic and determination to serve, voters need to look back 10 years, to a time shortly after the 1996 congressional elections. Baird's bid to unseat former 3rd District Congresswoman Linda Smith had come up fewer than 900 votes short. He would use the next two years traveling the district, talking with citizens about local issues and their concerns.
It was an important learning experience for Baird. Smith left her House seat open in 1998 to mount an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate. Baird won the open seat, arriving on Capitol Hill exceptionally well-schooled in the needs of his district. He immediately set about trying to meet those needs.
Early in his freshman term, Baird responded to an appeal from constituents who make their living on the Columbia River a bill to prevent waterway workers from having to pay taxes in more than one state. When victims of the Aldercrest landslide turned to Baird, he arranged face-to-face meetings between Aldercrest residents and high-ranking administration officials, helping to secure more than $4.3 million in disaster aid.
Baird has been a reliable supporter of the Columbia River channel-deepening project from the day he assumed office. He helped obtain federal funding for preconstruction engineering and design for the project in his first term and has continued to play a major role in keeping the project on track in the years since.
Restoring Washingtonians ability to deduct their state sales tax from their federal tax liability became a signature issue for Baird early in his tenure. Working with other members of the state's congressional delegation and across party lines, he succeed in 2003. The tax break was restored, but only for the 2004 and 2005 tax years. Baird continues to work this fall to have it extended or restored permanently.
Looking back through Congressman Baird's four terms in office, we find a great deal to praise and little to criticize. He's served his Southwest Washington constitutes well. We urge voters to keep Baird on the job.
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