Crank can change D.C. for the good of us all

   When I met Jeff Crank, he was 23 years old and applying for a job in my Washington office. A congressman receives tons of applications, but Crank's leaped off the stack.

   A couple years before, I had seen him on national news confronting a group of radical students, grabbing their burning American flag, and blowing out the flame. I felt certain that this young man would grow into a conservative leader, and I was pleased to think people would associate his name with my office.

   It's almost 19 years later, and I am happy to have the opportunity to endorse Jeff Crank to represent the 5th Congressional District in Congress.

   The eight years he spent in my offce bore out my initial impressions: he was smart, persuasive, bold, principled and energetic. In short, Crank proved to be that rare man capable of changing Washington for the better.

   I have no doubt that Crank will cast the right votes. He was a conservative patriot when he was a college student, and that hasn't has changed.

   But just as importantly, he possesses the strength of character that will allow him to stand up to party bosses when they're not acting like real conservatives - the strength of character capable of shaking up Washington from the inside.

   Crank has concrete plans for ending the abuse of mass franked mailers, joining John McCain in his war on earmarks, cutting federal spending by 20 percent over the course of the next 10 years, and placing an expiration date on every federal program.

   These are exactly the kinds of courageous stands I expected from that young man I had watched protecting the American flag.

   It's also worth noting that neither of Crank's opponents is promising these bold, conservative stands.

   Crank is the only candidate to sign a pledge placing a self-imposed moratorium on earmarks, and he's also promised never to exploit the congressional franking privilege to send out mass, unsolicited, selfpromoting campaign ads on the taxpayer dime.

   Conservative think tanks rate congressmen on their voting records and proposed legislation. But certain practices, like the abuse of mass frank mailers, fall under the radar.

   Crank has committed himself to taking conservative positions, both when conservative groups are looking and when they are not.

   When it comes to legislative experience, Crank is better prepared to run a congressional offce than I was when I entered Congress, even though I had served 10 years in the state Legislature.

   Crank worked for eight years in Washington, DC and rose to the position of administrative director, running my Washington office.

   In addition, he served as the key liaison to the Armed Services Committee and stood with me and the community in our battle to save Fort Carson from closure. Colorado Springs military installations are more secure today because of Crank's service in Washington.

   I seldom endorse candidates, but I make an exception for Jeff Crank.

   The 5th Congressional District is one of the most conservative in the country, and its congressman should be one of the country's most notable conservatives. I have known Jeff all his adult life, and in my heart of hearts I know, and have always known, that he will rise to the occasion. 

Hefley represented the 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 20 years.