The Des Moines Register delivered a ringing endorsement of Rep. Bruce Braley for re-election to Congress in this morning's paper, saying "it's hard to think of many members of Iowa's delegation who have worked harder or smarter or who took his job more seriously."
Last Sunday, the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald endorsed Braley.
US House District 1: Bruce Braley
Des Moines Register
October 21, 2012
http://www.desmoinesregister.
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Last Sunday, the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald endorsed Braley.
US House District 1: Bruce Braley
Des Moines Register
October 21, 2012
http://www.desmoinesregister.
Bruce Braley has served three terms in Congress and clearly deserves another. It is hard to think of many members of Iowa's delegation who have worked harder or smarter or who took his job more seriously.
The Waterloo attorney has been intimately involved in a wide range of issues, from health reform to economic recovery to disaster relief. Unlike some lawmakers, Braley actually reads legislation and works hard to shape the final product to his liking before voting.
Braley's passion for working to help individual constituents in his district is obvious when he talks about Iowans he has helped, such as making homes adaptable for disabled veterans like the double amputees who fought in Afghanistan. "This is not an abstract thing to me," he said during a meeting with Register editors and writers.
Just as important, the Democrat understands the need to bridge the divide between parties, something he says he tries to do wherever he goes, including the House gym. "People don't trust each other," he said. Making progress is more likely "if you know and like the people you're working with."
Rather than getting mired down in the gridlock plaguing Congress, Braley focuses on finding areas of agreement to get something done. That included legislation making the writing in government publications easier for average people to understand. He also recognizes the importance of balancing the budget and has supported spending cuts as well as ending the country's involvement in Afghanistan.
Braley is being challenged for the second time by Independence Republican Ben Lange. Also a bright, young attorney with political talent, he has shown a more nuanced understanding of issues vital to the district this time around. Still, he relies too heavily on Republican talking points, and he falls short of making the case for ousting the incumbent.
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