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Return Incumbents To The House
Oct 23, 04:55 PM
Hartford Courant
October 23, 2008
When talks between the state and Amtrak lagged over the expansion of commuter rail service on the New Haven Hartford Springfield line, U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy intervened and got the ball rolling. In doing so, Mr. Murphy, a Democrat from Cheshire and a one-term incumbent, showed that he understood the importance of energy conservation to the nation’s future.
Although much of the energy debate has focused on offshore drilling, Mr. Murphy could see that getting people onto trains, and thus out of cars, would save a lot of energy right away. This pragmatic intelligence, the ability to see what is right in front of his nose, has influenced much of Mr. Murphy’s work in Congress. He has pushed for more disclosure of profits and CEO salaries in government contracting, stronger congressional ethics and more federally funded supportive housing. He is the youngest member of the delegation at 35, yet has the poise of a veteran legislator. He said he challenges voters to understand the subtleties of issues — a bold thought. He deserves another term.
His Republican opponent, David Cappiello, 40, is, as Mr. Murphy was two years ago, a bright, young and successful state senator trying to move up.
Mr. Cappiello casts himself as a budget hawk. He opposes public financing of campaigns as well as government-funded health care, and favors a strict immigration policy, a position this page has opposed. He was one of the first Republicans in the legislature to call for the resignation of Gov. John Rowland, with which we agreed. Mr. Cappiello will be heard from again, win or lose.
Green Party candidate Harold H. Burbank II, 51, of Canton, and Independent Thomas L. Winn, 57, of Watertown, round out the list of candidates.
