McNerney sweeps newspaper endorsements

Just days before the Nov. 4 election, Congressman Jerry McNerney completed his sweep of newspaper endorsements in the 11th Congressional District with this morning's endorsement from the Contra Costa Times/Bay Area News Group. Every newspaper that circulates in the 11th Congressional District and makes Congressional endorsements has endorsed Jerry McNerney in his re-election effort.

Endorsements this election cycle have focused on McNerney's efforts to be open, accessible and available to his constituents, noting that he has returned home to California every weekend since taking office, save for three, one of which was when he was in Iraq. Newspaper editorial boards have also recognized McNerney's efforts to work in a bipartisan manner, his achievements in renewable energy policy, and his fight to honor our nation's veterans.

Below are excerpts from editorial endorsements McNerney has received.

Danville Weekly

"McNerney also gets high marks for his efforts to keep the Livermore Veterans Hospital open, probably not as a major clinic which has been moved to Palo Alto, but certainly as an administrative facility with a plan to turn the peaceful site into a center for nurturing soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress. Just two years ago, the VA center was scheduled to close; McNerney brought the House Veterans Committee to the bucolic setting and they agreed that the Livermore center is too valuable a resource for veterans to be shut down."

Livermore Independent

"The proposed closure of the Livermore VA Medical Center has arisen as one of his district's major issues. McNerney has stepped up to the plate, working hard to keep the VA open.

"On alternative energy issues, the congressman from Pleasanton has become a leader in Washington."

Lodi News-Sentinel

"It's a pleasant surprise to have an elected official exceed expectations, and McNerney has done that.

"Yet it is in the area of outreach that McNerney has excelled. He has made the rounds of local farmers, business leaders, service groups and elected officials. But he has also, quite frequently, held his "Congress at Your Corner" meetings and coffee klatches with regular folk. His staff has been eager to publicize such events, understandably; it's been a running joke in the newsroom that McNerney spends more time in Lodi than in Washington, D.C.

"That, we'd submit, is not a bad thing."

Modesto Bee

"He initiated 'congressman on the corner' meetings with constituents that take him to cafes and elsewhere. 'I love the retail politics, talking to people, listening to folks. It's hard to represent people if you don't know what they're thinking,' he says. McNerney says he'll keep these informal meetings up if re-elected.

"He convened advisory committees on agriculture, education, health and other topics, putting him touch with experts and constituents.

"He released to the public his entire list of earmarks -- not just the money he got, but all that he requested. Most of his requests were for infrastructure projects such as an Interstate 5 interchange and a project to extract arsenic from Manteca's water supply. McNerney also has supported legislation that calls for government openness."

Morgan Hill Times

"Since being elected to the 11th California Congressional District in the fall of 2006, Jerry McNerney has demonstrated an ability to work with fellow Congress people, even Republicans, to create a sound energy policy to help our country increase oil production and remain environmentally sound. The former wind energy engineer hasn't disappointed voters.

"He went to Washington to do what he said he was going to do: help solve the nation's energy problems. He's helped Congress pass several bills that are doing just that."

Pleasanton Weekly

"In fact, perhaps his strongest suit is constituent communications. He comes home to Mary and his family and their Val Vista home almost every weekend, but not to rest. Most Saturdays and often on Sundays, we find him at meetings with constituents here on Main Street and throughout his sizeable district. On one weekend, he's with Congressman Pete Stark at a health forum in City Hall; another time he's talking to seniors at Pleasanton Gardens. His unique "Congress at Your Corner" one-on-ones gives everyone a chance to talk with him directly out of earshot of others. Since his election 23 months ago, he has held these sessions at 45 places, including at Richert Lumber, Cold Stone and other locations. He also started a call-in telephone program where hundreds more have signed up to dial into a special number and join others--up to 3,000 at a time--in discussing their interests and concerns."

Sacramento Bee

"He brings an unusual expertise to Congress as an engineer specializing in wind power. For that reason, he was chosen for the House Committee on Science and Technology and a select committee on energy independence and global warming. He has also focused on improving veteran benefits, influenced in part by his son, who joined the Air Force following Sept. 11."

San Francisco Chronicle

"McNerney, in his soft-spoken, direct style, acknowledges that he is still learning the ropes in the House. However, he already has demonstrated a refreshing willingness to work hard for his constituents, and to take politically risky votes for what he believes is right for the country. He deserves a second term."

Stockton Record

"McNerney clearly is the more moderate of the two candidates. He has demonstrated a willingness to work both sides of the aisle, recognizing that cooperation among forceful moderates from both parties is the only way anything is going to change. He has been highly visible in the district. And he is fearless about meeting with groups who disagree with him, listening to them and explaining why he takes the positions he takes."

Tracy Press

"He's a moderate, especially compared to his challenger, Dean Andal of Stockton, and he's independent enough to stick his neck out to support bipartisan efforts, such as the $700 billion Wall Street bailout — something that would have been easy to vote against given his tight congressional race.

He posts his entire list of earmarks on his Web site and doesn't apologize for trying to bring as much money back to our district as possible. After all, Californians send plenty more to Washington in federal taxes than the state receives in federal expenditures.

"He listens to his constituents and has been highly visible in the district, returning home all but three weekends since he took office and hosting 45 Congress at Your Corner events."

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