2nd Congressional District: Candidates say they're different, but survey shows similarities

Both Jim Matheson and Bill Dew say there are real differences between them, not only in politics but also how they would go about representing the people in the U.S. House.

Yet Matheson, a four-term Democratic incumbent, and Dew, his GOP challenger this year, have nearly the same views on a number of questions put to the men by the Deseret News.

Asked what are the two most important issues now facing Americans, the men not only picked the same two, they listed them in the same order: Energy and the economy. The full survey can be found at www.deseretnews.com/utah/election/candidate/ under the U.S. House tab.

Both men had basically the same opinions on some of the so-called "moral" issues of the day, also, although Dew said he opposes abortion law as it now stands and Matheson side-stepped whether he supports abortions as now being handled. Matheson instead points out the anti-abortion bills he's voted for in Congress.

Matheson usually is rated as one of the more conservative Democrats in the 435-member House. But Dew says Matheson is still too liberal for the 2nd District and doesn't vote as most of his constituents wish.

But except for some party-line votes — like voting for the Democratic leaders in the House and to adjourn when those leaders call for adjournment, Matheson seems to be on the same side as Dew on many of the issues the newspaper asked about.

For example, both men opposed the $700 billion "bail-out" of Wall Street, a bill strongly supported by GOP President Bush. It failed once in the House (Matheson voting against it) and then passed a week later (Matheson still against it) after being somewhat changed by the Senate.

Even though he voted no twice on it, Matheson seems more willing to have the federal government step in and deal with financial crisis, his answers showed. Dew said: "By staying out of the way, but ensuring a fair system, the economy will improve."

Matheson said: "We need to pursue policies that will stabilize housing prices to address the current crisis in the credit markets."

Developing a comprehensive energy policy is also critical, both men said.

"Congress can authorize expansion of energy exploration and drilling, as well as allow the use of clean coal so abundant here in Utah. Further, Congress should reward those who innovate and expand our energy resources of all types, as well as those who produce more efficient vehicles and buildings," said Dew, a retired homebuilder.