Post-Gazette: Tim Murphy Deserves Another Term
Monday, October 25, 2010
Rep. Tim Murphy, 58, opposed the historic health care reform, the cap-and-trade emissions bill, the economic stimulus and the banking reform. The lawmaker from Upper St. Clair is running for a fifth term in the district that covers Allegheny County's South Hills, most of Washington County and parts of Beaver and Westmoreland County.
Even though we do not always see eye to eye with the congressman, we believe voters should send him back to Washington.
His challenger is Democrat Dan Connolly of South Park, who at 27 is a newcomer to politics. He's no stranger to Capitol Hill, however, having worked six months with the Senate Judiciary Committee and later for Hall & Associates, a consulting firm that helps clients with government relations. Bright and engaging, Mr. Connolly is nevertheless the latest unknown and underfunded candidate from the party to oppose Mr. Murphy.
The challenger offers voters a real choice on legislative issues. He opposes repeal of the health insurance law and wants Congress to focus on cutting the cost of medical care, whereas Mr. Murphy would vote to repeal the bill if a suitable replacement were offered. Mr. Connolly would let all of the Bush-era tax cuts expire, while Mr. Murphy would extend them. Mr. Connolly sees an urgency for the nation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while Mr. Murphy calls for more domestic oil drilling offshore and development of clean coal technology; both support greater reliance on nuclear power.
But Mr. Connolly would take a while to gain the knowledge and clout that Mr. Murphy uses to serve the district. A child psychologist and former state senator, the congressman is very mindful of the kind of region he represents. He knows that certain jobs are at a premium, fair trade is important and quality health care is a critical need.
As co-chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus he helped secure the "buy American" provisions of the stimulus package. He co-authored HR 2378, passed last month in the House, to give manufacturers and workers the ability to seek duties on imports that are illegally subsidized by currency manipulation. He introduced HR 1745, passed by the House, to provide malpractice coverage for volunteer doctors at Community Health Centers, which serve low-income patients, thereby boosting the number of physicians donating time there.
Mr. Connolly may have a bright future in politics and we would encourage him to seek another office someday. In this race, though, it would be hard to reject the incumbent, despite our disagreements on some issues.
Tim Murphy is the experienced choice and has earned the Post-Gazette endorsement.
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