Published: Monday, October 14, 1996
Page: 8A
By:
EDITORIAL
Rep. Boehner is a member of the misguided Gingrich revolution, a warrior for business, an enemy of organized labor, an intense partisan. In many policy areas, his views are at odds with the public interest. But his basic values are not at odds with those of his conservative, consistently Republican district, which surrounds Montgomery County on the south, east and north.
And his climb to the fourth-ranking position in the House Republican leadership must be respected. Having a Southwestern Ohioan in an important position isn't likely to hurt the state.
His main opponent doesn't offer the district the high-powered representation the incumbent offers. Democrat Jeffrey D. Kitchen is smart, but he's untested and inexperienced. He has not been a major participant in the public affairs of his community and has not otherwise earned this high office. He is the kind of person who has the drive to make an uphill battle on principle, but ends up with a nomination because nobody else wants it, because the incumbent is deemed unbeatable.
When the Democrats really do want to replace Rep. Boehner - when success looks possible - they should be required to put up somebody better known and more ready.
Mr. Kitchen says he is running because he was distressed to find that in the last election Rep. Boehner was unopposed. An electrical engineer by training, he presents a mainstream Democratic world view, in stark contrast to the incumbent's. But he opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement and generally has qualms about American trade policy. On that, Rep. Boehner is right and the challenger is wrong.
Also running is William Baker, a librarian, with the Natural Law Party. That party is mainly promoting some ideas this year, rather than contesting seriously for office.
The test of the House Republicans now is how they respond to the undeniable evidence that the American people don't want the untempered elements of their revolution. Do the Republicans move constructively to the center, as the Democrats did after 1994, or do they deny reality? Having taken his best shot at being a conservative revolutionary, Rep. Boehner can justify an accommodation with public opinion.
Rep. Boehner has the political skills and the position to be useful in the ideological transition that is needed, should he choose to undertake the effort.