Cline earns return trip

Ben Cline was born on the plains, in Stillwater, Okla., where strong values are as rich as the crude that pulses underground in that part of the world, and he was raised in Rockbridge County, where tradition runs as thick as the woods in Jefferson National Forest.

Insert other metaphors here to describe deep roots for the man who has represented the 24th District in the House of Delegates since 2002. Cline is opposed this fall by Democrat Jeff Price, an historic housing contractor from Monroe.

Since his first year in Richmond, Cline has ascended the legislative ladder, landing appointments on the Commerce and Labor, Courts of Justice, Finance and Police and Public Safety committees. His rise has been fueled by a principled conservatism that reflects his community.

We share several of Cline’s particular passions. He pushed a bill to create a searchable database of state agency spending, allowing Virginians to watch as Richmond politicrats dispense taxpayers’ hard-earned money. He also has lobbied for tougher drunk-driving laws, improvements on Interstate 81 and studies on rail as a means to ease congestion on the highway.

Price strikes us as an amiable fellow, but what he offers – platitudes, principally – hardly counters Cline. Price’s Web site, like his campaign, is a haven for hollow cliches: “I love this community.” “It’s time to go to work” (that one appears four times). “[W]e don’t have time to waste.” And, of course: “I’m running because I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

But what would Price give that would improve upon Cline? Price deals in concrete for a living but not in his answers to questions like that one. Fortunately for voters in the 24th, Cline’s experience, intellect and record are made of firmer stuff. That’s why we back him in this race.