Boxer for U.S. Senate, "contrast couldn't be starker" (LA Times endorsement)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-senate-20101004,0,356278.story

Boxer for U.S. Senate

The contrast between the Democratic U.S. senator and her Republican challenger, Carly Fiorina, couldn't be starker.

October 4, 2010

For us, the choice in the race between Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and her Republican opponent, Carly Fiorina, resolves itself into a simple proposition: Issues matter, especially in the United States Senate.

Fiorina is intelligent, energetic and accomplished in the private sector. But on too many issues she reflects the doctrinaire conservatism that is ascendant in the Republican Party.

By contrast, Boxer has been a voice — if sometimes a strident one — for values promoted by this editorial page: individual rights, equality, environmental protection and constructive engagement by the federal government with national economic problems, including the crisis in healthcare.

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Boxer believes that women have a right to choose abortion. Fiorina describes herself as pro-life and opposes the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision. She says she doesn't support the criminalization of abortion, but at least in some states that would be the likely consequence of repeal. Even if Roe vs. Wade weren't overturned, Congress could continue trying to put obstacles in the way of women seeking to exercise their rights. Boxer can be trusted to resist such legislation.

Boxer believes that same-sex couples should be able to enter into civil marriage and supports repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman and allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Fiorina opposes same-sex marriage while supporting civil unions.

We have differences with Boxer on some matters, including her votes against some free-trade agreements and her support for the death penalty. We hope her fourth term will be marked by less bluster and more bipartisan achievements. But on the issues, she is right far more often than she is wrong. We urge her reelection.

Copyright © 2010, Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-senate-20101004,0,356278.story

Why are the L.A. Times editorial writers towing the corporate line on that issue?