News-Press Editorial

As with far too many things in politics and life, what's really going on is far different than the public impression. Such is the case with next Tuesday's first Democratic congressional primary in the 8th District of Virginia in many moons. Rep. Jim Moran is seeking an eighth term as the 8th District's U.S. Congressman this year, but is being challenged by the well-financed campaign of a political neophyte, Alexandria attorney Andy Rosenberg.

This election is not about Moran's ability to lead, or about news headlines accusing him of questionable public statements or personal finances. It's about a cabal of powerful Washington, D.C., based interests backing the Bush administration's support for rightwing Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's handling of the Middle East conflict trying to upend an outspoken and powerful Democratic opponent.

It's been no offhand comments of Moran, unscrupulously taken out of context and touted in front page headlines by the Washington Post more than once in the recent period. It's been Moran's ability to weigh in with his considerable seniority and powers of persuasion on behalf of a more balanced approach to the Middle East crisis that has made him a target of reprehensible smears and innuendos by a combination of pro-Republican and pro-Sharon interests, including The Post.

The same sordid mentality that is behind the Bush re-election campaign's current effort to win by focusing on out-of-context sound-bite attacks against his opponent, to the point that no less than 80% of Bush's TV ads are negative attacks, is driving the effort against Moran.

The Bush White House, Republicans and other pro-Sharon interests would like nothing more than to see Moran softened up, if not unseated, in next Tuesday's primary. Many loyal Republicans are doubtless planning to flood the Democratic primary polling places in the district to vote against him, since partisan primaries under Virginia law are open to anyone who shows up.

The official leadership of the Democratic Party in the 8th District remains staunchly behind Rep. Moran. That leadership argues that not only has Moran been solid and consistent in support of the issues that northern Virginia Democrats care about most, but that as a member of the weighty House Budget and Appropriations committees, he has delivered important benefits to the residents of his district, something that no neophyte could ever dream of. It also knows that Moran is not guilty of the kind of insensitivity he's been accused of, not when the full context of his remarks at any particular event or of his oft-spoken impassioned values and record in Congress are taken into account.

It's not only important to vote Tuesday, it's important to vote for Rep. Moran as the man uniquely qualified to continue representing us.