In the U.S. 12th Congressional District, voters would do well in returning four-term Rep. Pat Tiberi. His opponent is qualified and capable but Tiberi's record is strong, as is his interest in serving the district's constituents.

Democratic challenger David Robinson is in his first run for political office and he has jumped in. With a doctorate in theology and psychology and a seminary degree, Robinson is well educated. He is also a vice president of a small manufacturing firm in central Ohio.

But on two of the top issues of the day, finances and energy, the two agree on broad goals, even if the details differ between them.

For example, Robinson said he would have supported the initial Paulson plan to buy troubled assets, as well as the second one, although less enthusiastically. Tiberi voted for the second package, calling it much improved, but he opposed the first one because he said there were not enough safeguards on how the money would be spent and that it needed other changes.

One of these was the idea of assets being marked to market. Tiberi, a former member of the Ohio legislature, said he talked to many area financial people and thought easing the mark-to-market rule was a good idea. Robinson lashed out at this in our editorial board's meeting with the two candidates. He said not properly valuing assets was a reason for the financial mess.

Each position could be considered at least partly valid since either candidate could find support for his view among financial professionals.

On energy, both agreed that more needs to be done while the details of each are similar to their respective party's general position.

For Robinson, as for the Democrats, the familiar refrain was: OK with more drilling but drilling won't be enough. Then, as it seems every official from dog catcher to president is doing these days, Robinson touted being green. He's looking for new jobs to be created by support for wind and solar energy.

Tiberi agreed more oil drilling is needed, but he also supports the "all of the above" position of the congressional Republicans, which includes power from the green side, too: wind and solar.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that Tiberi more prominently includes nuclear power in his "all of the above."

Robinson is a worthy opponent and represents Democrats well. But voters have shown their approval by returning Tiberi to office several times. Given his record, experience, work ethic and temperament, we believe Tiberi should continue to represent the 12th District.