The far-right positions espoused by Republican congressional candidate Daria Novak would make her a viable candidate in many House districts in this country, but not Connecticut's 2nd District. The fiscally conservative, but moderately tempered views of her opponent, East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica, are a far better fit.

The Madison businesswoman seeks radical change in the relationship between the federal and state governments. At a time when the United States is trying to close the educational gap with the rest of the world, she would eliminate the Department of Education, convinced the states would do a better job of educating students unfettered by federal guidelines. She wants to significantly cut back on the regulatory authority of the Environmental Protection Agency, which see feels has become overly intrusive and infringes on enterprise and property rights.

Federal government, she feels, is regulating too much, trying to solve every social problem through an expanding bureaucracy and she wants it reduced dramatically, federal taxes slashed and more power and responsibility returned to the states, which Ms. Novak feels is what the U.S. Constitution requires.

Mr. Formica, who has experience both in business, as a successful restaurateur, and in frugally running a local government, sees politics in less stark terms. He too feels federal spending has to be pared to a sustainable level, but calls for careful analysis to do it right, rather than a meat cleaver approach that severs entire agencies. Mr. Formica would vote to extend all the Bush tax cuts, but also wants tax reform to simplify the system and eliminate loopholes.

While Ms. Novak would plant an unbending ideological flag in the sand, adding to the partisanship in the U.S. House, Mr. Formica said he would go to Washington willing to compromise on tax and spending policies.

The winner of the Aug. 14 primary will face a well funded and popular incumbent Democrat, Rep. Joe Courtney. To have any chance at victory, Republicans will need a candidate who can peel off moderate Democrats as well as run strong with unaffiliated voters. Mr. Formica is that candidate, Ms. Novak is most certainly not.

The Day endorses Paul Formica in the 2nd District Republican congressional primary.

The Day will make its endorsements for the general election in the fall.