Shane Dale

These days, it would seem that the most politically incorrect thing a politician can be is a religious family man.

As an economic conservative and social moderate, I suppose I can understand.

I do identify more with Libertarians on certain issues than I do my fellow Republicans ÷ particularly on an economic level, where I've been very critical of my party for wimping out.

I mean really, a paltry $1.35 trillion tax cut over ten years? If Ronald Reagan were still coherent, he'd be embarrassed for all us fiscal right-wingers.

At any rate: Libertarians, this column is just for you. I've decided it's my job to try and persuade you to come over to Matt Salmon's camp tomorrow.

Yes, I know it's not something you're very interested in doing. But please humor me and give me just a couple minutes to make my case.

Barry Hess is the Libertarian candidate. On an economic level, he sees virtually eye-to-eye with the former Phoenix congressman.

Salmon understands the positive effects of tax cuts. In an Op-Ed printed in Thursday's Arizona Daily Star, Salmon backed the benefits of cutting taxes on a state level, and also rightfully pointed out that overspending ÷ not tax cuts ÷ are the reason our state is in a billion dollar hole.

You can read it online at http://www.azstarnet.com/star/thu/21031salmonDONEzzem.html. It's an outstanding, well-researched piece, and I strongly encourage anyone planning on voting tomorrow to check it out.

Democrat Janet Napolitano is a strong, charming, intelligent woman. But the prospect of the next four years under her leadership makes me a little nervous ÷ as it should Libertarians as well.

Napolitano is an authoritarian ÷ not a socialist, as Hess contended at the Oct. 24 Tucson debate. She supports tax increases (call them "loopholes" all you want, it's a tax hike) and "living wages" on the economic end. Law and order-wise, she backs the death penalty and stiffer criminal sentences, and opposes drug ÷ including marijuana ÷ decriminalization.

Something else to consider: The economy will come around eventually, tax cuts or not ÷ American business is remarkably resilient that way.

If Napolitano is elected governor, she will raise taxes, and the economy will improve. The two, of course, will not be related. But voters will give her the credit.

In other words, if Janet wins tomorrow, she'll be our governor through 2010.

Prior to our endorsements, the Wildcat Opinions Board had the opportunity to meet with all four gubernatorial candidates. I have to admit that I enjoyed Hess' interview the most; he was the most engaging and provocative of the four.

As he was leaving, I asked him, "If you had to support Salmon or Napolitano, which one would it be?"

"Salmon in a heartbeat," Hess replied with zero hesitation.

Yes, Salmon is a social conservative. So what? I mentioned I'm a social moderate, but Salmon could be more religiously far right than Jerry Fallwell and I'd still vote for him in a second.

Why? Think about it: Does anyone really think Salmon favors ÷ let alone, will try to enforce ÷ bringing back alcohol prohibition, outlawing divorce or posting the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom?

In our interview, Salmon made it clear that his religious beliefs apply only to himself. And that's how he's always governed.

I asked one of our columnists, Jason Winsky, who's contemplating crossing party lines to vote for Napolitano, why he had decided to back Janet.

He mentioned that, among other things, Salmon's conservative religious values made him uncomfortable.

"So?" I asked. "How's that going to affect the way he governs the state?"

He was stumped.

Here's the only thing I could come up with: Salmon might, might, try to use what little wiggle-room the states have to make it tougher in Arizona to get an abortion. That's it.

Salmon's economic policies are what will be important to the state and university.

Lower taxes, more revenue and greater spending accountability are what matters. His religion is, and rightfully should be, irrelevant.

Is a vote for Hess a vote for Napolitano? Of course not, and unlike the Gore people did with Nader supporters, I wouldn't demean anyone's voting preference that way.

Just remember this: Salmon's a fiscal conservative. Napolitano's a fiscal liberal. And one of them will win.

Libertarians, I beg you: Look past Matt Salmon's religion ÷ and my arrogant mug. Please help Salmon pull this one out tomorrow.

Barry would want it that way.