Supporting roles

Regardless of who wins the presidential election, Republicans are needed in Congress to support President Bush or temper the agenda of John Kerry

Depending on where they live, Lawrence and Douglas County voters will have the opportunity to vote in one of two U.S. House of Representatives races.

In the 3rd Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Dennis Moore is being challenged by Kris Kobach. Moore, who is seeking his fourth term in Congress, was supportive of former President Clinton’s agenda and has not favored the Bush presidency. His record is clear, and without the severe split within the Johnson County Republican electorate, Moore would not have been returned to office after his first term.

Kobach has an impressive academic background and has other credentials that would seem to make him a good legislator. He has no experience and some of his associations cause some people to pause in their enthusiastic endorsement of his candidacy.

In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Republican Jim Ryun is seeking his fifth term in the U.S. House. Few, if any, members of the House are of such high character as Ryun, and he represents the values of the majority of Kansans.

Like Moore, Ryun has not compiled a stellar record of introducing meaningful legislation, but he does take a deep interest in the welfare and representation of those in his district.

His opponent, Nancy Boyda, is a newcomer to the political scene and to the district. She shifted her political allegiance several years ago from Republican to Democrat and has been an active opponent of President Bush’s policies in Iraq. She could be expected to be strong in her support of a Democratic president or strongly opposed to Bush’s legislative initiatives.

If President Bush is returned to office, he will need support in the U.S. House in the sure-to-come legislative battles. If John Kerry is elected, it will be important to offer sound opposition in the House to the almost-sure-to-come liberal agenda of a Kerry presidency.