We Like Jim: Return Matheson to Washington

It is said that there's no substitute for experience. That's especially true in Congress. Before you reject a ranking politician with key committee assignments, and forfeit the many benefits of his or her incumbency, you should have a really good reason.

In the case of Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who faces political newcomer Claudia Wright in the Democratic primary Tuesday, there is no compelling reason for change. Second District voters should allow Utah's only Democrat in Washington to compete in November for a sixth term.

The knock against Matheson is that he fumbles the ball in the big games, and votes to further his political self-interest. The fiscal conservative's opposition to the health care reform bill as too expensive further alienated progressive Democrats in Utah who already oppose many of his energy and public lands policies.

But he's been on the right side of many more issues, including opposing nuclear weapons testing and imported radioactive waste, and supporting consumer protections and stimulus spending that helped rescue the economy from a precipitous slide in 2009.

Still, there's a lot for progressives to like about Wright, 61, a retired school teacher and an adjunct professor at the University of Utah. For example, she supports a "Medicare-for-all" universal health care system, public financing of elections to remove corporate money from politics, federal immigration reform, and a carbon tax combined with the rapid development of renewable energy resources to combat climate change.

But can she beat Morgan Philpot, the Republican candidate in the November general election? Or is Matheson, a moderate who won 63 percent of the vote in the 2008 general election, a better bet to retain the seat?

Matheson, 50, says his votes reflect the views of the majority in his vast, largely rural district, which includes the east side of Salt Lake County and all of southern and eastern Utah. Judging by his ability to win five elections in a district gerrymandered by the Republican state Legislature, he's probably right. And if he leans the way the wind blows to satisfy and serve a majority of his constituents, many would consider that a virtue.

The fact is, Matheson is pragmatic. Democratic voters should be, too.

Before booting a five-term congressman out of office, Democrats should consider this: While Matheson's bona fides have been called into question, he still votes the Democratic party line the vast majority of the time. Philpot won't.