Orlando Sentinel endorses Kosmas for Congress

We think: Kosmas, Blythe, Putnam and Stearns would serve voters best

October 12, 2008

In a time of war and economic turmoil, the choice of a president could not be more important. But the success of the next resident of the White House may depend on the partners he has at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue in the U.S. Capitol.

This is a time for statesmanship in Congress -- for members willing to work across the aisle and with the president to confront crises, not let them fester.

In House races pitting qualified candidates, voters in Central Florida and elsewhere will be better served by the one more inclined to put problem-solving above partisanship.

District 24

Republican Tom Feeney was on the fast track to the top ranks of the House before his mentor, then-majority leader Tom DeLay, resigned under an ethical cloud in 2006 and the GOP lost its majority. Mr. Feeney's power has waned considerably since then.

The three-term lawmaker is shadowed in this race by a Justice Department investigation into his 2003 golf junket to Scotland, which was illegally bankrolled by corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Mr. Feeney, who set up a legal-defense fund, has not been charged with any wrongdoing and says he was duped by Mr. Abramoff. But it's hard to accept his characterization of the junket as a "rookie mistake." There are few politicians savvier than Mr. Feeney, a former Florida House speaker.

Mr. Feeney's district includes Kennedy Space Center, and he's a steadfast advocate for the U.S. space program. His knowledge on this and many other issues runs deep. But on the most-contentious issues -- whether it's immigration reform, energy policy or the recent rescue plan for the U.S. financial system -- his hard-right ideology seems to preclude compromise. With the House expected to remain under Democratic control, that's a game plan for irrelevance.

We've endorsed Mr. Feeney in each of his previous races for Congress, but he's never faced a challenger as capable as this year's, Democrat Suzanne Kosmas. Ms. Kosmas, a former four-term state House member, is a successful businesswoman with a mostly moderate campaign platform.

Like Mr. Feeney, Ms. Kosmas supports the space program, but she'd also direct resources at the space center toward developing alternative energy. She's determined to expand health-care coverage. She brings a welcome emphasis on ethics and balanced budgeting to the campaign. She has deep roots in the district.

Whether the next president is a Democrat or a Republican, Ms. Kosmas is well-prepared to work with the White House and other lawmakers to craft policy, not just criticize it.

The Sentinel endorses Suzanne Kosmas in the 24th Congressional District.