None of the state’s congressional races has featured the pyrotechnics that have characterized the 5th Congressional race. DFL endorsee Keith Ellison survived a brutal primary challenge from his own party, during which he had to defend his earlier connections with the Nation of Islam, and explain a series of embarrassing revelations ranging from unpaid parking tickets to tardy tax filings. Then, a day after his surprisingly easy September primary victory, he faced another round of negative campaigning from Republican Alan Fine.

Fine came out of the chute this spring as one of the most intriguing candidates of this election season, carving a distinctly moderate position on most of the major issues in the race and speaking eloquently about the need to put aside partisan warfare and find solutions to the vexing problems of our time. Then, on September 12, he inexplicably took to the low road, calling Ellison “unfit” to represent the district in Congress. His own personal issues (domestic abuse allegations) did not jibe with the higher standards, to which he was holding Ellison, and it’s likely that he’s lost a healthy chunk of moderates to the more low-key Tammy Lee.

No polls have been published on this race, which Ellison should win handily. More interesting than Ellison’s winning margin will be the battle for second place, in which we may see the first great movement of the district’s centrists away from the Republicans and toward the Independence Party. Fine’s continued vitriolic attacks on Ellison could push moderates into the Tammy Lee camp and give the IP the kind of political momentum it needs to develop a new metro base. Green Party endorsee Jay Pond has run a thoughtful and lively campaign, and could poll better than the 6 percent he garnered two years ago.

With all the fireworks of the past two months, the candidates’ stances on the issues often have been obscured. Here’s where they stand:

Keith Ellison
Iraq: Supports an immediate withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq, argues that a phased withdrawal only “postpones the inevitable.”

Health Care: An advocate of a universal single-payer health care system, Ellison supports a bill by Reps. John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich to extend Medicare coverage to all Americans while working toward a comprehensive, government-run health care system. Favors reforming Medicare Part D by allowing Medicare to leverage its bargaining power to negotiate lower prices for seniors.

Energy: Argues for strengthening the Clean Water Act, reducing automobile emissions by supporting transit and other alternative modes of transportation, increasing fuel-efficiency standards for all American-made vehicles, and punishing businesses that choose not to clean up their own pollution. Endorses the “Apollo Alliance” www.apolloalliance.org and its commitment to sustainable energy sources.

Education: Would vote to repeal the No Child Left Behind Act, support increased funding for early childhood education, and demand that the federal government completely fund its special education mandate. Also supports increased funding for Pell Grants, HOPE scholarships, as well as a program that would forgive college loans for graduates who go to work in “public interest” fields.

Immigration: Supports comprehensive immigration reform that clears a path to citizenship; was an active supporter of the DREAM Act in the State Legislature, designed to give children of foreign-born workers increased access to higher education. Opposes legislation that would require municipal law enforcement officials to question people about their immigration status.

Alan Fine
Iraq: Opposes an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces, arguing instead for a “multinational approach” that would promote stability in the country.

Health Care: Supports studying “multiple health care options” with an emphasis on preventative health care as a centerpiece of any health care system.

Energy: Supports increased funding for mass transit, conservation education programs, adoption of stricter fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles, converting fossil fuel subsidies to funding for renewable energy research, and greater incentives for individuals and businesses to use mass transportation.

Education: Would advocate for increased funding for programs like LEAD, which teaches minority youth about business

Immigration: Favors a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that would “integrate the majority of this population into our society.” Would ask that those countries “allowing” widespread illegal immigration to pay some of the costs of border containment and societal integration.

Tammy Lee
Iraq: Supports an “orderly” plan to withdraw U.S. troops that completes our promised reconstruction of the country, maintains stability, and protects against nuclear threats from Iran.

Health Care: Would push for standardized reporting requirements to cut health care costs and for expanded Association Health Plans (as set forth in the Small Business Health Fairness Act), allowing small businesses to access benefits for their employees through these associations.

Energy: Favors redirecting current tax breaks for Big Oil to renewable energy research and development, encouraging responsible investments in light rail and mass transit, and increasing fuel-efficiency standards for U.S. automakers,

Education: Supports increased funding of early childhood education programs, full federal funding for Title I and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) requirements to educate disadvantaged and special needs students, full funding of Title II federal requirements for teacher training and development. Opposes private school vouchers.

Immigration: Advocates for enforcement of current immigration laws, tightened border security, and would support an “earned pathway” to legal citizenship for law-abiding undocumented workers. Also supports an improved worker verification process and penalties for businesses that don’t abide by the process, as well as streamlined immigration policies that would accelerate the application process. Favors a “carefully monitored” guest worker program and would increase the number of visas for highly valued professionals.

Jay Pond
Iraq: Argues for an immediate “disengagement and withdrawal plan” and a congressional declaration that the U.S. will not maintain a permanent military presence in Iraq. Also supports turning over the restoration of services to the Iraqi government and paying reparations to the Iraqi people.

Health Care: Supports a universal single-payer health care system in which health care is viewed as a “basic human right.”

Energy: Advocates expanded research and development of renewable energy sources and the decommissioning of the nation’s nuclear reactors.

Education: Would repeal No Child Left Behind, but would retain its requirements regarding well-qualified teachers. Demands that the federal government fully fund special education and teacher training programs.

Immigration: Supports the repeal of NAFTA and CAFTA as a way to discourage immigration. Favors the immigration principles of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which include creating a pathway to permanency for undocumented immigrants who are already in the U.S., improving access to higher education, unifying families, streamlining immigration services that respect civil liberties, and employing enforcement measures that don’t lead to fear and exploitation.