The Campaign for a Seat in 40th Congressional District

The 40th Congressional District race has narrowed to three sprinters--Dave Baker, Christopher Cox and Nathan Rosenberg. As for the rest, well, let’s be honest . . . but for a few more speeches it’s all over.

What about the Big Three?

Dave Baker supports programs designed to better our transportation woes. Rosenberg, on the other hand, is still on the sidelines. It seems he can’t decide whether to support or oppose the county’s no-growth initiative scheduled for the June ballot.

His campaign literature claims that he is a leader when addressing transportation needs. If the no-growth initiative passes, who will build the roads? If Nathan can’t make up his mind on a local initiative, then how will he tackle the tough issues such as national defense, drug traffic and Central America?

Cox takes a different approach. He has publicly chastised Dave Baker for supporting Proposition A’s attempt to raise $5 billion for a package of transportation improvements (that included a light-rail system and dozens of new highway projects for Orange County). While Cox was working in Washington, Dave Baker was here, in Orange County, working to create an even better quality of life.

Let’s not forget that the voters drowned Proposition A 2 to 1. Dave Baker, though, stood tall and said “aye” to the goals of Proposition A. Now after four years of gridlock, we see that Proposition A (II) is the trendy issue to support. Even the Orange County Transportation Commission might spend $200,000 to convince the voters of a need for a sales tax to address transportation needs. I have yet to hear an “I told you so” from Dave Baker.

BRIAN K. THERIOT

Costa Mesa