For Congress: Re-elect Baird in the 3rd, McMorris Rodgers in the 5th and Smith in the 9th districts

A few of Washington's congressional races this year feature strong incumbents with relatively minimal opposition. For that reason, we recommend the man or woman already in the job in Districts 3, 5 and 9.

Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, is a thoughtful, independent workhorse, making his endorsement an easy decision.

Baird has been a consistent protector of our state's sales-tax deductibility. He has been a stalwart supporter of conservation, alternative fuels and renewable energy. He has directed federal dollars to his district for water, transportation and energy infrastructure. He favors bold action on climate change.

The congressman supported the $700 billion federal bailout from the start, motivated by a need for swift action to thaw frozen markets and lending institutions. He was a key part of the successful effort to insert taxpayer protections in the large spending bill, including language that shields taxpayers from potential losses from the debt buyout.

A former clinical psychologist, Baird was a key leader behind the mental-health-parity bill passed by Congress last month.

Baird's Republican opponent is Horizon Air pilot Michael Delavar. Delavar's proposals include responding to the current economic crisis by halting the printing of money. Delavar doesn't make a credible case for change.

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, earned another term representing Eastern Washington's 5th Congressional District, including the state's most rural areas and urban Spokane.

She chaired a task force to improve the National Environmental Policy Act and was a co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional Down syndrome Caucus.

Running for her third term, the Stevens County conservative is emerging as a leader in her caucus and beyond.

Voters in the 9th Congressional District have sent Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, to the U.S. House of Representatives six times. That should increase in 2008 for a couple of reasons. Smith has represented the district well and his challenger is far from ready for Congress.

James Postma, a Republican from Steilacoom, is a weak opponent who has not articulated what he wants to do in Washington, D.C., for the district that stretches from Burien to Yelm. Instead, the retired engineer and Air Force officer talks about opposing socialism and abolishing the Federal Reserve Bank. Also hindering Postma is his thin public-service résumé and the lack of support his campaign has received from the Republican Party.

Smith is focused on contemporary issues that directly affect the suburban and rural district, such as the cost of health care, job training and energy issues. He chairs the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee. Smith also sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Those are important committees for the 9th, which includes Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.

Voters of the 9th would be well served to stick with Smith.