Dave Heineman deserves to stay on the job

Republican voters should nominate incumbent Gov. Dave Heineman for re-election and he should be returned to office in the fall.

Not that U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne would not do a good job as governor; we know he is capable, honorable and would give it his all.

And, not that Dave Nabity doesn't have his merits; he does, despite lower poll ratings.

But Heineman has too much ability and potential to be put out to pasture without a chance to carry through in his current job. His responsive style of leadership is serving the state well.

Born in Falls City, Heineman is a product of small-town Nebraska, moving with his father's retail management job to places like McCook and Benkelman.

He didn't set his sights on small goals, however, attending West Point and achieving the rank of captain in the U.S. Army.

After working for Proctor and Gamble, he went on to serve as U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter's eyes and ears in the Fremont area, and as U.S. Rep. Hal Daub's chief of staff.

Between Fremont and the governor's mansion, Heineman served on the Fremont City Council, as state treasurer and lieutenant governor before taking the state's top job with Mike Johanns' appointment as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Thus, he is uniquely qualified to understand issues at all levels, from local retail problems, through unfunded mandates imposed on city hall, to homeland security and dealing with those who walk the halls of Congress.

As governor, he has called for voluntary consolidation of schools, while understanding the difficulties of balancing the demands of local control, and efficiency while providing quality education.

"Sometimes you've got to be willing to take a stand and show the people where you stand," Heineman said during the final gubernatorial debate Sunday. He was referring to his signing of the controversial Omaha schools plan.

That plan, offered by Sen. Ernie Chambers, divides the school system into districts primarily representing black, white and hispanic communities, will at least force Omaha and suburban school officials to negotiate more seriously, Heineman said.

The governor also took a correct stand on the question of a tuition break for children of illegal immigrants -- especially brave in light of today's national "A Day Without Immigrants" protest.

While we have sympathy for children who were brought here not of their own choice, Heineman made a good point at Sunday's debate:

"It's not right. It's not fair. It's not appropriate," he said. The governor is right; it would be unfair for the child of an illegal immigrant from Mexico to get a lower tuition rate than a legal student from New Mexico.

Dave Heineman has the skills, personality and character to continue to do a good job as governor. Voters should return him to office.