Doheny will rise to the top in the House

I will try to be positive about both the primary and the November election. The blogs are vitriolic. They are disturbing as is the national chatter on both local and national candidates. I believe, with a few exceptions, that most emerging candidates have honorable intentions. Intentions however are interpreted by our own personal emotions on issues. This leads to the intolerance I see in print.

With regard to the 23rd Congressional District race , I have no reason to believe that any of the three candidates, if elected, will serve to the best of their ability. That said, it follows that I must believe that the three candidates are basically honorable men. However, elections are about choice so I must select my criteria.

The first is philosophy. Do I believe in the same manner of government as the candidate professes? Secondly, and this is very important, what kind of voice will my candidate be? There are 435 representatives in the House. As in any graduating class there is the top and bottom quintile. The top usually is successful, the bottom is usually less so, although, by the nature of being elected, it would appear that all elected representatives come from the top. But in every group, however gifted, the cream always rises to the top.

I pose this scenario. If elected, Rep. Bill Owens will serve in the middle. He will neither distinguish nor shame himself, although he will occasionally be effective. Doug Hoffman will serve at the bottom and will not distinguish or shame, but will also not be a voice of leadership and therefore not heard. The absence of a voice will be deafening. Matt Doheny on the other hand will ultimately rise to top in the House leadership and give the north country a voice in Congress we have not heard before. Why, you wonder? Because he can and more importantly will.

The national will of the people includes the will of north country residents. Do you want your voice to be really heard with the majority of ideas that you really believe in? The choice is yours. By not voting your choice has a limited chance. The last election we were asked to vote for change we can believe in. This time we have the opportunity for change we can count on.

Harry Staudenmayer

Three Mile Bay