Printed in the Cedar Rapids Gazette

Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Mount Vernon, also is seeking a second term. Loebsack has worked hard, especially on higher education, veterans and renewable-energy issues. He's done his share of lobbying to secure disaster aid for Iowa, coordinating with Grassley on the valuable tax credits portion of the disaster-relief act. He's thoughtful and has improved his understanding of foreign policy issues.

We were pretty comfortable with endorsing Loebsack for a second term ... until we met Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The dynamo Ottumwa Republican physician and military veteran, who entered college at age 16, runs a small business and has been president of the Iowa Medical Society and a university professor.

She impressed us with her command of key issues and a track record that proves she gets things done.
Congress needs to reform many things, especially its inability to say "no" to requests and programs that can't be funded without more taxpayer debt. We believe Miller-Meeks is more likely to make that happen.

Her health care insurance proposal looks more realistic than either of the presidential candidates' plans and doesn't resort to a government funded universal plan that could burden taxpayers and discourage medical treatment innovation. She offers detailed proposals on reforming Social Security, improving the GI Bill and revising the tax code and wisely recognizes how energy, environment, national security and the economy are all interrelated.

Miller-Meeks is smart, driven — and well-qualified to become Iowa's first woman elected to Congress.