Star-Tribune Editorial Board

A six-term member of Congress should be a huge asset to any state.

Unfortunately, Rep. Barbara Cubin delivers more rancor than achievement.

Wyoming should thank Cubin for her service in Washington, but it's time for her to come home. On Tuesday, voters should give Democrat Gary Trauner an opportunity to be what Cubin no longer is: an effective representative for Wyoming.

Why Trauner?

We think Trauner has the potential to be an excellent representative. He is an intelligent, articulate and hard-working candidate, who spent the past 10 months knocking on more than 15,000 doors. That much listening requires genuine enthusiasm for the job.

Contrary to a fusillade of television attack ads, nothing about Trauner is at odds with "Wyoming values." He recognizes the importance of recreational opportunities and public access to public lands. He has, in fact, demonstrated a stronger commitment to this issue than Cubin.

Trauner is correct in his belief that everyone deserves high-quality health care. He calls the current state of health care policy "immoral, unacceptable and unsustainable." His experience as a successful entrepreneur gives him a valuable perspective on this and other issues.

Trauner correctly says the United States mustn't leave war-torn Iraq in chaos. If the country is to be stabilized, we need to secure its borders and help rebuild its infrastructure. Trauner supports meaningful congressional oversight of the war, a responsibility abandoned by lawmakers in both parties.

Trauner has lived in Wyoming for 16 years. That's ample time to shed the undeserved label of "carpetbagger." He represents Wyoming values every bit as much as Cubin does, and he has the potential to do it more effectively.

Why not Cubin?

In her bid for another term, Cubin has spent precious little time informing voters about her record. Instead, she focused on such false issues as her opponent's birthplace.

She has exploited the fears of conservative voters by twisting Trauner's positions on immigration and gun control. In fact, Trauner supports Second Amendment rights, and his position on illegal aliens is similar to that of President Bush.

Cubin should be embarrassed by her negative, misleading campaign. It should not be rewarded with re-election.

When we endorsed Cubin's re-election in 2004, we said her seniority in the majority party was valuable to Wyoming. Yet, after 12 years in office, she chairs no committees and has a disappointing record of achievement.

Cubin deserves credit for pushing passage of a reduction in the federal royalty on trona. She also expresses pride in securing funding for a methamphetamine treatment center for women who have children, and for pushing a bill through the House to secure $450 million in Abandoned Mine Land funds for Wyoming.

But the AML bill was rejected by the Senate; Wyoming has yet to receive a dime. Cubin's list of solid accomplishments is too short.

We wish we could focus our comments solely on Cubin's job performance, but her personal behavior has become an unavoidable issue. After a recent debate in which disabled Libertarian challenger Tom Rankin questioned her campaign contributions, she suggested he deserved slapping.

It was only the latest embarrassing incident in a political career peppered with gaffes.

Loyal Wyoming Republicans are understandably reluctant to abandon a GOP incumbent. But their long-term interest lies in sending a stronger Republican to Congress.

They can't achieve that goal as long as Cubin ties up the seat. Letting Trauner occupy the chair for two years may be a cheap price to create a GOP opportunity in 2008.

Libertarian Rankin provides another alternative to Cubin, but a protest vote for him is a wasted vote. Trauner has a genuine opportunity to win this election and give Wyoming the representation we deserve. It's time someone did.