Letters

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 7, 2008

5th district race

Rayburn has been tested in crucible of military life

These are days that call for genuine and tested leadership; the type of leader who has been through the crucible of making tough, right decisions.

Having served our nation in the military for 37 years under all kinds of conditions and pressures, having to make decisions that were not always popular, I know a genuine leader when I see one.

Many candidates for office today have never had to make the tough decisions under pressure and in all variety of life and death circumstances as some of our best military leaders. Some candidates may be articulate and smooth, and tell the voter what they want to hear, but their resumes and what they have done have not prepared them to lead in tough times. The voters in our community should look past the rhetoric and understand what the candidate has actually done, and how he has fared in the real crucibles of life as a leader.

The voters in the 5th Congressional District have an opportunity to vote for such a person. This is why I am supporting retired Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn. I know where he has been, what he has done. He has had to make crucial, vital decisions in his remarkable 31-year career. Rayburn has proven that he is a leader with honor and integrity. He commands respect and leads others to follow. There's no doubt his opponents are good men but at a time when we need seasoned leadership, they just don't compare. I urge all 5th Congressional District voters to examine closely all three resumes and then decide. Once that's done, I'm sure they will agree with me and vote for Bentley Rayburn to be our next congressman.

Lance W. Lord

Gen., U.S. Air Force, retired Monument

Rayburn's life experiences make him best choice to represent us

What are we looking for in the very best representative the 5th District can send to Congress? You want someone who knows and loves Colorado: Bentley Rayburn has been part of Colorado and has had her in his blood since he was 2 years old. He spent every summer here until he moved into the dorm at the U. S. Air Force Academy. His father and I (both retired military chaplains) conducted his wedding in the Academy Chapel when he married a Colorado Springs girl.

Throughout Rayburn's 31 year career, Colorado Springs has been his "home away from home."

You want a proven and tested leader who has integrity and honor and has been tested under great responsibilities. Rayburn has a remarkable record of success and leadership in his 31 year Air Force career. That record reflects educational, economic, fiscal, energy, budgetary and leadership-of-large entities expertise.

You want a representative who will be highly respected among elected officials in Washington, someone others will come to for advice, listen when he speaks, support his bills, someone journalists will come to for commentary.

You want someone who is a deep thinker; wise, knowledgeable, accomplished; someone who will make a mark in government. You should not settle for anything less. Rayburn fits such qualifications. If you have personally met Bentley Rayburn, you know this about him. Grab this opportunity and vote for Rayburn.

Bill Leonard

Colorado Springs

Crank has right ideas to counter Obama in nation's capitol

Back in May, I attended the 5th Congressional District Republican Assembly, and Jeff Crank gave a speech accepting the assembly's nomination.

I loved his speech, especially when he responded to Barack Obama's comment about bitter Americans clinging to guns and religion. Crank pointed out that religion and guns are protected by the First and Second amendments, and that we cling to guns and religion because we still cling to the Constitution. It was the best response to Obama I've ever heard.

Let's send Jeff Crank to remind Washington what America's all about.

Chuck Broerman

Colorado Springs

For solid conservative values, Lamborn tops list of candidates

For the past year and a half, I've had the privilege of serving with Doug Lamborn in the U.S. House of Representatives. Even upon arriving in Washington, Lamborn already had a reputation as a rock- solid conservative leader and friend to the taxpayer.

We were all anxious to work with the man who not only had never voted for a tax increase, but was also responsible for the largest tax cut in Colorado history. It takes courage and dedication to always vote against tax increases because it is the vote that makes a difference.

Lamborn carefully delineates between politics and principles and always chooses principles. Leading conservative groups have consistently ranked Lamborn's voting record at or near the top of all Republicans in Congress for upholding conservative ffiscal and social values.

Lamborn has met our high expectations and has quickly become one of the most valuable members in the conservative caucus of the Republican Party, the Republican Study Committee.

Whether it be immigration, taxes, prolife, or family issues, Doug Lamborn not only votes right, he gets things done. Doug achieved a rare feat this Congress in that he authored a substantive bill that passed the House of Representatives. This is quite a task for anyone in the minority, let alone a freshman.