[October 15th, 2008]

David Wu

David Wu may be tiring of Washington, D.C., as evidenced by the sag in his voice when describing his difficulties getting things done there. In April, we endorsed his opponent in the primary, Will Hobbs. Unsurprisingly, Wu survived. And it’s clear he towers in this general election above his three opponents’ brains and ability.

There’s much to like about the Independent Party candidate, Joel Haugen. The self-described “Haugenator” hopes to steer the Republican Party (which spurned him after he won the GOP nomination for supporting Obama) from Crazy Palin back to Noble Eisenhower. Good luck with that—really. Haugen’s problem is nonpartisan: His opinions are far stronger than his record.

Wu may not have the most impressive record, but at least he can be credited with a bill that lowered the cost of college textbooks and a $2 million earmark for the very-cool-sounding “Advanced Airship Flying Laboratory.”

Scott Semrau, a construction crew manager from the Constitution Party, has a refreshing number of ideas, not all of them dreadful. The Pacific Green Party’s Chris Henry, a drifter of sorts, is a walking explanation for the failure of third parties.

We liked Wu’s vote against the original financial bailout package and hope it’s a sign he’ll make his sixth term more memorable than his fifth.

Video of WW endorsement interview (thanks to Portland Community Media)