news-record.com

In North Carolina, the job of lieutenant governor primarily is defined by the person who holds it. And the three men seeking the state's second-highest elective office have distinctly different views on how to do it.

Two, Democrat Walter Dalton and Republican Robert Pittenger, have legislative experience. Libertarian Phillip Rhodes is a first-time candidate.

Based on experience and his vision of the job, the nod goes to Dalton, 59, a 12-year state senator from Rutherford County. He's forcefully guided state legislative initiatives dealing with economic development, education, job retraining and health care.

Pittenger, 60, also served in the state Senate, representing Mecklenburg County. But as a member of the minority party, he had less of an opportunity to play a decisive role. While his focus commendably was on eliminating government waste, a sometimes-quixotic agenda failed to attract much support.

Rhodes, 35, a Chapel Hill resident, echoes his party's call for a smaller, less-invasive government and doing away with what he describes as corporate welfare. He hasn't been a major factor in the campaign.

As a senator, Dalton has shown leadership in helping resolve appropriations issues, funding programs like Earn and Learn, lobbying for affordable health care for kids and seniors and attracting new industry.

While some of his time will be taken presiding over the Senate, Dalton has a better take than his opponents on how to promote initiatives that could prove beneficial to state residents. As lieutenant governor, he can play a leadership role on both the State Board of Education and the Board of Community Colleges.

Dalton also takes aim at what he calls "two North Carolinas" -- economic disparities between rural and urban counties. Besides rural job recruitment, he wants to make broad-band Internet more accessible in those areas.

Although Pittenger is a formidable and competent opponent, Dalton's proactive approach and emphasis on accountability make him the best choice to carry out the many facets of a very nebulous job.