Orlando Sentinel’s report on District 15

Monday, October 13, 2008

District 15

Democrat Steve Blythe and Republican Bill Posey sound more partisan than practical in their approaches to issues spanning health care, taxes and energy. But Mr. Blythe, a physician, appears more capable than Mr. Posey, a state senator, of bucking party orthodoxy to pass legislation benefiting his entire constituency. The district runs from the Space Coast to just west of Kissimmee . It’s up-for-grabs with the retirement of seven-term Rep. Dave Weldon .

Despite Mr. Posey’s generally accomplished record as a state legislator specializing in insurance, he surprisingly lacks the curiosity and openness needed to navigate and solve issues at the federal level. That makes him tailor-made for marching lock step with his party.

Indeed, he says the Bush tax cuts should be made permanent because they’ll pay for themselves; he has no objection to drilling “ugly property” inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and he believes government’s not to blame for the country’s growing uninsured population.

Mr. Blythe, while sounding his party’s call for universal health insurance, nevertheless would entertain different approaches to achieving it. He echoes party calls to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint, but doesn’t rule out more nuclear power to make that happen. And he’d fight to preserve social-services programs, but also the right of residents to bear arms.

The Sentinel endorses Steve Blythe in the 15th Congressional District.

View Bill Posey’s response to the Orlando Sentinel
View Frank Clark’s response to the Orlando Sentinel