Incumbent Tom Latham faces a rookie candidate and a political veteran in his bid to be re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Iowa's District 4. The rookie and the veteran, however, are the same person, Becky Greenwald.

Latham, a Republican from Ames, has served in Congress since 1995. He is the senior member of Iowa's House delegation and sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, a position he has used to bring millions of dollars back to this district, particularly Ames and Iowa State University.

Greenwald, a Democrat from Perry, never has been elected to public office, but has been involved in community and political activities since she attended Iowa State University.

Both Latham and Greenwald toe the party line on most issues, so there is a distinct difference in the candidates. Latham, however, did go against most of his party and President Bush when he twice voted against the $700 billion Wall Street bailout. Greenwald said she would have voted for the bailout.

Latham explained his vote by noting his office received more contacts from constituents on that issue than one any other, including the war in Iraq. Those messages were overwhelmingly against the bailout, he said.

Latham also said he voted against the bailout because it included no plan for fixing the banking situation and because the size of the bailout was determined arbitrarily. Federal officials wanted it to be a "really large number," he said, and $700 billion met that standard.

Greenwald said she would have voted for the bailout on its second vote because the sweeteners that were added to the bill included money for renewable energy in Iowa.

Both pushed for additional focus on renewable energy of all kinds, and would support tax credits to help promote investment in those areas.

Both also are focused on the cost of health care. Greenwald wants affordable health care for all, which includes being able to purchase prescription drugs from Canada. Latham said he wants to help alleviate a nursing shortage by funding more nursing programs, which would allow more nursing students to attend school. Now, he said, two out of every three nursing applicants are turned down because there are not enough instructors.

Latham has supported the Iraq war since the beginning, and he said "unbelievable progress" has been made in bringing stability to Iraq. Greenwald said she supports the troops in Iraq, but wants to bring them home as quickly and as safely as possible.

Latham's continued support of the Iraq war has been a sticking point for us. But his experience and legislative position put him in a key spot for the district. Greenwald is to be commended for leaving a life in the background and stepping into the public view, but we think she's not quite a strong enough candidate to unseat Latham.

The Tribune's editorial board endorses Tom Latham to represent Iowa's 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.