Incumbent Democratic Sen. Carl Levin leads his Republican challenger, Ronna Romney of Bloomfield Hills, by more than 20 points in most polls. The people of Michigan have it right: Levin is by far the better choice.
For 18 years, Levin has fought for Michigan's working families, senior citizens and students. He has consistently favored increasing opportunity for students to attend college. When the Republicans tried to roll back Medicare and federal financial aid, Levin helped defeat such extremist measures.
Michigan residents can count on Levin to defend many of its values. Levin is pro-choice and he supports: the Brady Bill, the assault rifle ban and Head Start. While opponents call him a liberal, Levin brings common sense and a solid conscience to the political process.
He is generally regarded as one of the Senate's most respected members, and many legislators call him the "conscience of the Senate." In an era of voter cynicism, Levin is one politician who can help restore a sense of trust to government.
His work to reform the campaign finance structure symbolizes his commitment to making the political process work better. He led the charge to ban lobbying groups from giving certain gifts to lawmakers. This is a first step in reducing the power of special interests in politics - Levin deserves much credit for his efforts.
However, his recent vote to sign the Welfare Reform Act is disturbing. Levin said he disagreed with many of the provisions in the bill, but thought change was necessary. Unfortunately, the results of the bill could be disastrous: It may throw innocent children even further into poverty and it does not provide support provisions, such as health care and childcare for parents trying to get off welfare. Levin said he is committed to improving the bill in the next Congress and voters should take him at his word.
At the very least, he will repair the bill more so than his opponent. Romney has little political experience. She recently worked as a talk show host on a Detroit radio station, and she touts her experience as a mother of five. But these efforts hardly qualify her for the high office of senator. In fact, her main claim to fame is her last name - she is the former daughter-in-law of late Michigan Gov. George Romney.
Her tax policies include a 15-percent across-the-board tax cut and a $500 per-child tax credit. Both proposals would balloon the deficit, undermine the economic growth of the last four years, and return America to the debt-ridden 1980s that Levin and President Clinton have been working hard to repair. Her plan is nothing more than a risky scheme - fortunately, Michigan residents are not convinced.
Romney is firmly opposed to abortion; in fact, the Michigan Right to Life was one of her main supporters in the Republican primary. As a senator, Romney would vote on Supreme Court nominees who could potentially overturn Roe vs. Wade. Michigan needs a senator to defend a woman's right to choose - Levin is that senator.
Without question, Levin is the best choice for U.S. Senate. His experience, coupled with his efforts to reintroduce ethics into the political system, would best serve this state.