Bernstein, who is 27, deserves credit for wanting to enter the political fray with his first try at elected office. He is accomplished academically, with a graduate degree from the University of Chicago and a law degree from the University of Maine. At the University of Chicago he was known for his popular radio program, in which he interviewed significant decision makers, including the country’s national security adviser and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. An unusual reach for a student, to his credit.
But Bernstein’s positions are not what are needed in Congress. He questions the United States’ reasonably friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia, strictly follows the Constitution’s original intent and would have nothing to do with the Pacific trade pact. He supported Ted Cruz before Cruz dropped out of the presidential race.
The Republican Party is behind Tipton, of course, leaving Bernstein to raise what little money he can and with not much of a campaign schedule.
While some who want to turn Congress upside down might consider Tipton, who wants a fourth term in Congress, a dreaded insider, that mood is not so far affecting the races in Colorado. Bernstein is on his own.
Tipton, who is 59 and from Cortez, is experienced. Before serving a term in Colorado’s House of Representatives in 2006 he was active in the state Republican Party and in working for Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaigns. In 2008, he challenged sitting Congressman John Salazar and lost. In 2010 Tipton tried again, and won. Republicans were in the ascendancy across the country.
Tipton won again in 2012 and in 2014 against only moderately strong opponents. Although the diverse 3rd Congressional District has been represented by members of both parties, and its electorate is split into roughly one-third Republican, one-third Democrat and one-third unaffiliated, an incumbent has a strong advantage anywhere.
Tipton knows water and natural resources issues, appropriate for someone from Southwest Colorado, and he recognizes to some extent the value of public lands. He helped in the effort to move Chimney Rock, between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs, up to monument status.
Most recently, he is opposing the federal government’s misguided claim – without compensation – to water rights owned by private entities on public lands.
Thank Alex Bernstein for providing in the best interests of democracy at least a small challenge to Tipton, but fill in the oval next to Tipton’s name. Scott Tipton deserves to be on the ballot in November.
