Our pick for Congress: Bean in 8th District

With four years in office behind her now, Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington is hitting her stride in Congress.

She is, as-advertised, a moderate Democrat whose biggest expertise is small business and whose biggest interest is child safety.

Her first term was as a member of the minority party; her second has been as a member of the majority. That difference, as well as Bean's experience, increased her visibility and her ability to get things done.

From the beginning, she has worked to protect children from Internet predators as well as from unsafe imported toys. She's also worked to make health care more accessible to low-income children.

While there have been times we have thought her politics was too cautious, on the big issues she has been right. She supported the economic recovery bill recently passed with bipartisan support. She believes in a reasonable timetable to bring troops home from Iraq. And she advocates doing more to secure the nation's borders.

Her office has been responsive to constituents, and, agree or disagree with her position, she has been highly visible in the controversial debate over Canadian National Railway's proposed acquisition of the EJ&E Railroad.

Republican Steve Greenberg of Long Grove has run an impressive and energetic campaign, and while we disagree with him on the economic recovery issue, we think he has an aptitude for public service.

But Bean's successful representation of the 8th District cannot be ignored, and we heartily endorse her for a third term.