10/21/08

When it came down to stubbornly abiding by a political philosophy of free enterprise or doing what’s best in the short term for the nation’s economy during a crisis, Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas, chose the latter and voted for the $700 billion bailout package.

Dreier told our editorial board that when he voted “yes,” he didn’t like it very much. But he knew it was necessary to free up credit markets so that large and small businesses could meet payroll and banks could start lending money again. Most economic experts believe that without the financial fix orchestrated by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and supported by both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate and the president, the financial markets would be in worse shape.

It’s that kind of leadership - one that places the needs of the nation, including his San Gabriel Valley constituency, above inevitable political flak from opponents and some conservative Republican voters - that makes us take notice. It’s one of the reasons why we are endorsing Rep. David Dreier for re-election to the 26th Congressional District.

The other is Dreier’s record in addressing local needs. From ground-water cleanup to prosecution of criminal aliens, Dreier has delivered key votes and key dollars during his long tenure.

Dreier has championed groundwater cleanup in the San Gabriel Valley and has worked with Democrats (Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Grace Napolitano) to help create the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund. Of that fund’s $85 million, Dreier helped steer $71 million for local treatment facilities. Federal funding is paying for local treatment facilities removing perchlorate, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, solvents and other harmful chemicals from our water supply. This allows the wells to reopen and adds to water quantity, which in the current drought is dangerously low.

When the Mexican Supreme Court banned the extradition of suspects wanted for murder and for killing cops, Dreier went to Mexico to lobby for a change in Mexican policy. The Mexican high court relented and that resulted in the extradition of Jorge Arroyo Garcia, aka Armando Garcia, back to face justice for the 2002 slaying of Temple Station sheriff’s Deputy David March.

In transportation, Dreier remains a strong supporter of the Foothill Extension of the Metro Gold Line and has advocated for the MTA to provide the seed money necessary to trigger a possible federal grant.

Dreier’s Democratic opponent, Russ Warner, a small businessman from Rancho Cucamonga, is mounting the biggest challenge to Dreier in his House career. Warner is personable, smart and a moderate. He’s running an extremely tough campaign, knowing that as the years go by an increasingly centrist Dreier is vulnerable both from the GOP’s right and because the district is becoming slightly more Democratic. But Warner has also never held public office of any kind, and would not bring any clout to Washington, D.C. Right now, for this district, Dreier’s experience will serve its constituents best.

In this foothill district - which includes Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendora, La Ca ada Flintridge, La Verne, Monrovia, San Dimas, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Walnut and parts of Altadena and unincorporated east Pasadena, and which continues easterly into Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga - David Dreier is still the best congressman to meet its needs.