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12 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 S-hr Saily Star Urel Established 1893, 115 years of editorial freedom Endorsements During the past week, the editorial board endorsed several candidates in key races. Below is a summary of our choices. For the full-length endorsements, visit DailyTarHeel.com/electionoß. Barack Obama for president In his battle for the presidency, Sen. Barack Obama has inspired and challenged us to tackle the major problems we face as a nation. As young people, we will be the ones who will have to deal with such challenges as global climate change, energy independence and the creation of a 21st-century economy. His policy proposals appeal particularly to young people, including his plans to expand the Americorps and Peace Corps, to provide college tax credits for performing community service and to allow young adults to continue coverage under their parents’ health care plan. Obama has brought millions of Americans into the political process and empowered them to use their voice and their vote to air their con cerns, hopes, fears and dreams. By actively courting young voters, he has energized campus activism to a degree not seen in decades and has made it clear that young people’s votes should and will count in this election. Although Obama has frequently been criticized for his lack of expe rience, he has remained unflappable throughout the campaign season and has proven himself adept at quickly mastering complex issues and presenting them clearly. Barack Obama is the right candidate to lead our nation through the next four years. Kay Hagan for U.S. Senate It’s time for fresh leadership, and N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-Guilford, has the experience and the savvy to provide that. Her opponent, incum bent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., has represented the state poorly in the last six years. Hagan’s positions on the economy and immigration are exactly what the state needs after six years of ineffective representation. And Dole has been part of a Congress that has seen runaway and reckless spending under the Bush administration. Hagan voted to increase North Carolina’s minimum wage, while Dole has a decidedly muted record on minimum wage increases. Hagan’s immi gration policy is also preferable to Dole’s. We don’t like the 287(g) pro gram, which has been championed by Dole, but Hagan’s position on this issue is more pragmatic, preferring federal funding of the initiative. The minimal amount of time that Dole has spent in the state is sim ply unacceptable. And Dole has been ranked as the 93rd most effective senator. Hagan, however, has consistently been rated one of the most effective senators in the N.C. Senate. Serving for years in N.C., Hagan will bring fresh energy and anew perspective to the U.S. Senate. Pat McCrary for governor After serving for more than a decade as Charlotte’s popular mayor, McCroiy is the clear choice for the state’s next governor. McCrary has the opportunity to fundamentally change how politics operates in Raleigh. He has been a champion of public transportation in Charlotte and is well-suited to address the state’s future growth and urban sprawl through his proposed use of light rail and clean energy buses. He has also been a proponent of green energy technology, which in turn can create anew sector of jobs In the state. His opponent Democrat Bev Perdue has served for the past eight years as lieutenant governor and is a product of the state’s Democratic establishment machine. It’s time for some fresh leadership, and political insider Perdue would not be able to off it. McCrory would be a welcome change for Raleigh, and he has the com mitment to end the political cronyism that has permeated Raleigh for so long. McCrory has also demonstrated a level of transparency desperately needed in Raleigh during his time as mayor. While neither are particularly progressive on abortion or gay rights issues, McCrory has shown himself to be a moderate Republican who has proved he can garner bipartisan support. His administration would bring political balance to Raleigh that has long been absent. We strongly endorse Pat McCrory for governor. David Price for U.S. House Democrat David Price is the best choice to represent N.C. District 4 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Price has a long track record of working effectively in Congress. On issues of education, climate change and national security, Price has dem onstrated an ability to get things done. Price has also led effectively on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. But we wish he would take a stance explicitly against the National Bio- and Agro- Defense Facility in North Carolina in light of the firm local opposition. Though running as a Republican, Price’s opponent, B. J. Lawson, sub scribes to a political philosophy that transcends typical partisan bound aries and htts some appealing ideas. Lawson’s passionate disdain for a debt-obsessed corporate culture on Wall Street and lobbyist-run political culture in Washington make him an appealing choice. But when it comes to which candidate would best represent District 4 and bring effective leadership to Congress, we’ll take Price’s record of proven leadership over Lawson’s fresh perspective. Ellie Kinnaird for Senate Incumbent Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, is an experienced political trailblazer who will continue to represent us well. Sen. Kinnaird is currently serving her sixth term as state senator. She serves as co-chairwoman of the Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety and the Mental Health and Youth Services committees. These roles give her the leadership credentials she needs to improve the state’s mental health care system. . Kinnaird has been an ardent champion for environmental protection and earned a perfect rating from the Conservation Council of North Carolina. If re-elected, Kinnaird has said that she would work to increase fund ing across for public education to prepare American students for the competitive global arena. Kinnaird has the candidness and experience that North Carolina needs and will continue to be a fervent supporter of the ideals of Orange County. Bernadette Pelissier for commissioner Orange County’s at-large county commissioner should be Bernadette Pelissier. Serving on eight different boards in Orange County in the past 20 years, Pelissier has the experience the county needs. As plans for Carolina North continue to evolve, Pelissier has been a vocal advocate for ensuring that development will be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. As county commissioner, Pelissier would look into new waste tech nologies and encourage residents to take more responsibility of their waste, including increasing recycling. Pelissier has invaluable, hands-on experience with budgetary issues from her time serving as a member of the Orange Water And Sewage Authority Board of Directors. Pelissier also wants to increase community involvement by hosting small events and town hall-style meetings on a regular basis to solicit community comments. Because of her innovative ideas and experience serving in Chapel Hill, Pelissier is the best choice for county commissioner. ALUSOM NICHOLS EDITOR. 962-4086 NAUISONOEMAILUNC.EDU OFFICE HOURS: MON., WED. 2-3 P.M. ERIC JOHNSON PUBLIC EDITOR ERICJOHNSONOUNC.EDU EDITORIAL CARTOON By Alex Lee, lobin@email.unc.edu READER ENDORSEMENTS PRESIDENT Obama needed to clean up after the Republicans' mess TO THE EDITOR: Why should a conservative vote for Obama? First, the GOP is no longer con servative. Bush has left us economi cally overextended, vulnerable and crippled. We need a Democrat to clean up, as unpleasant as that is. The GOP needs a reality check. Additionally, we need an aca demic who is well-versed in the complexities of political theory. McCain yells “Socialist!” but ask any economist Obama’s fiscal policy is as capitalist as any other. McCain is terrified of true con servatives thinking rationally and discovering Obama is the better choice for them. Pete Miller Junior Political Science, Public Policy Obama is the right man to be the next U.S. president TO THE EDITOR: By now, it is hard to believe that anyone does not know who Barack Obama is. So let me try to answer a few questions. Mr. Obama is an example of the American Dream. Obama is for health care for all Americans. Obama would mean the end of a war that is increasing anger around the world toward America Obama is for a strong economy with new jobs growing in harmony with the environment. And finally, Obama would mean new energy sources, decreasing our dependence on foreign sources. Janice Hensley Old Fort, N.C. resident Vote McCain because of his strong economic policy TO THE EDITOR: John McCain has a long record as an anti-pork-barrel deficit hawk and will not choke Americans with a slew of new tax hikes. With a $10.5 trillion national debt, McCain’s plan to freeze domestic spending during his first year in office and restrict it to 2.4 percent growth throughout the rest of his term remains essential. McCain’s plan to cut corporate tax rates and maintain the 15-per cent rates on dividends and capital gains will reinvigorate American business and boost employment. Obama’s plans to increase taxes on American families and businesses while promising $1 trillion in new spending is the antithesis of responsible eco nomic policy during a time of such instability. The U.S. government doesn’t need any more inefficient bureau cratic additions, it needs to be gut ted. McCain’s “change” isn’t going to cost Americans an additional quarter of a trillion per year. Patrick Fleming Junior Economics, Journalism Sarah Palin is enough of a reason to vote for Obama TO THE EDITOR: If McCain wins, not only will Sarah Palin be representing the U.S., she’ll be very well-positioned for a presidential run in 2012. The best way to ensure that doesn’t happen, and to ensure that two smart, tough and even-handed executives represent us isn’t to abstain from voting—it’s to vote for Opinion HARRISON JOBE OPINION CO-EDITOR HXJBEOEMAILUNC.EDU GREG MARGOUS OPINION CO-EDITOR MARGOUS.GREGOGMAILCOM CtRTttNTY CANbUjATE WXUTI tUff B& I* T.N , Setmi6 HE CM AU. CBBKIVE HID UCIXM Mf EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS LISAANDRUKONIS YANIV BARZILAI BEN BUCK JAMES DING MICHAEL LEWIS ANDREW STILES SARAH WHITWORTH Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden today. If you need a ride, both cam paigns are helping people get to the polls, just ask them. Travis Smith Senior English Vote for Barr, not simply the 'lesser of two evils' TO THE EDITOR: Asa Bob Barr supporter, I’d like to introduce the Libertarian can didate to those voters who were unaware of him up to this point. Barr’s support of the Second Amendment, his intention to leave regulation of gay marriage laws to die states, his plan to end and avoid unnecessary wars, and his economic resolutions were all very appealing to me. Whereas most voters think red or blue, I believe in gray areas. This is what drove me to vote for Bob Barr. He has taken the positive from both the Democratic and Republican parties and com bined them to craft his policies. There is more than Democrat or Republican. Don’t settle on the “lesser of two evils.” Vote for some one you can believe in. Krysta Workman Sophomore Journalism GOVERNOR Bev Perdue is the choice for fresh and new ideas TO THE EDITOR: Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue will bring fresh and new ideas as our next governor. Perdue understands that North Carolina needs new jobs to build a strong infrastructure in order to tackle the today’s economy. Her vision includes high pay ing jobs in fast growing industries like green technology, medical research and aerospace. She knows the importance of making col lege affordable for everyone and strengthening education at all lev els. As the state’s first female lieu tenant governor, Perdue stood up to make a difference at a time when women didn’t really partici pate in state politics. Bev Perdue is not a product of the old-boy network in Raleigh, as the DTH would have you believe. If it is leadership that makes a dif ference, Perdue is your candidate. Helen Baddour Chairwoman, Tar Heel Blue for Perdue McCrory is antidote to the corruptive rule in Raleigh TO THE EDITOR: For too long North Carolina has been governed by an elite few in the Democrat Party. This single party rule has led North Carolina into a state of extravagance, cor ruption and malfeasance. Bev Perdue, a Raleigh fixture for well more than 20 years, has shown an inability to run a campaign free of the distortions and corruption that have plagued state govern ment for so long and offers little real change. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is the antidote to the overall disarray in Raleigh. By bringing a conserva tive business-friendly approach to governance, McCrory will end the culture of corruption in Raleigh. JohnEick Sophomore Political Science, Public Policy QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was the package that is Barack Obama that is the major factor of shifting the dynamics of this election FERREL GUILLORY, DIRECTOR, PROGRAM ON SOUTHERN POLITICS, MEDIA AND PUBLIC LIFE McCrory promises to have transparent government TO THE EDITOR: For far too long, Raleigh has been filled with politicians who have closed government from its citizens and promoted a culture of corrup tion and dishonesty. Pat McCrory stands alone as the candidate that can bring the necessary openness and honesty back to Raleigh. North Carolina needs a transpar ent and open government It needs a transportation department free of ambitiously corrupt people. It needs new jobs that can bring its economy back to life. And it needs a governor that has the executive experience of successfully governing the largest city in the state since 1995. Michael Hutson UNC Students for Pat McCrory LT. GOVERNOR Pittenger will reduce taxes, increase efficiency in N.C. TO THE EDITOR: The N.C. General Assembly has been criticized for stifling open and fair debate on the state bud get, preventing nearly all proposed amendments from discussion. Such a process is anti-demo cratic, and it has led to an unprec edented ballooning of government spending and $7.4 billion in new taxes in the last seven years. Asa N.C. senator, Robert Pittenger has worked to create ways in which our government can increase its efficiency and save over $2 billion a year. As lieutenant governor he will work to see these proposals implemented so that we can get more from our taxes. Bryan Weynand Junior Religious Studies, Economics U.S. SENATE Lesbian hopes endorsing Dole will help Kay Hagan TO THE EDITOR: Asa lesbian, I find myself won dering if my endorsement will hurt candidates or help them. Sen. Dole believes I’ll endorse Kay Hagan because ofher “Radical Homosexual Agenda” But I’m here to say that I endorse Dole. So Kay Hagan can stop touting her record on gay rights sponsor ing a bill that would provide com prehensive sex education, support ing a school violence prevention act, and helping secure a rule change regarding hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples. (Let’s hope this will do more harm than good.) Reva Grace Phillips Sophomore j English, Linguistics U.S. HOUSE Lawson's health care policy positions are irresponsible TO THE EDITOR: B.J. Lawson’s policy positions on health care are extremely irre- SPEAK OUT WRITING GUIDELINES: ► Please type: Handwritten letters will not be accepted. ► Sign and date: No more than two people should sign letters. ► Students: Include your year, major and phone number. ► Faculty/staff: Include your EDITOR'S NOTE: Columns, cartoons and letters do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Daily Tar Heel or its staff. Editorials reflect the opinions of The Daily Tar Heel editorial board. The board consists of seven board members, the associate opinion editor, the opinion editor and the editor. (Sljp Daily (Ear Hppl FEATURED ONLINE READER COMMENT: “Most seem to treat elections more like sporting events , where blind loyalty to ‘the team ’ is held above all else.” ON "DON'T VOTE BASED ON POLITICS OF PERSONALITY" sponsible. He has indicated that he opposes expansion of the children’s health insurance program to help states cover more at-risk children. Lawson continues his attack on science by staking out a position to the right of Bush on stem cells, opposing research even on exist ing lines. In addition, Lawson states that he would eliminate all federal funding for medical research. Such a move would be devastat ing to current and future victims of diseases like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and many others. It would also be devastating to research institutions like UNC that need more funding from federal entities like the NIH, not less. Neal Viradia UNC Sckool of Medicine Class of2oll COMMISSIONER Orange County needs the experience Pelissier brings TO THE EDITOR: Bernadette Pelissier has con sistently demonstrated clear understanding of the interlaced needs, problems, opportunities and solutions we share locally, county wide and regionally as evidenced through her work on the Community Leadership Council, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, the Orange County Planning Board and the Triangle wide Special Transit Advisory Committee. Bernadette is a solid leader with heart, wisdom and expe rience. Join me in voting for Bernadette for Orange County Commissioner. Randee Haven-O’Donnell Carrboro Alderman COURT OF APPEALS Wynn should continue to serve in court of appeals TO THE EDITOR: Jim Wynn has been serving North Carolina for 17 years on both the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He chairs the ABAs Judicial Division and is the first African-American to do so. He also was the first black nom inee to the U.S. Court of Appeals during the Clinton administra tion. His nomination was rebuffed twice, first by Jesse Helms and then by President Bush. Wynn should be in the State Department he missed his calling. When President Clinton came to town during the primary, Jim rode shotgun with the former president. When Obama arrived, Jim rode shotgun with the likely president-elect He possesses both a deft diplo matic touch and recognition on the national stage. I ask that you vote for my good friend, Judge Jim Wynn for the N.C. Court of Appeals. Jim Neal Chapel Hill resident department and phone number. ► Edit: The DTH edits for space, clar ity, accuracy and vulgarity. Limit letters to 250 words. SUBMISSION: ► Drop-off: at our office at Suite 2409 in the Student Union. ► E-mail: to editdesk@unc.edu ► Send: to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, N.C., 27515.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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