The Albany Times Union throws down the gauntlet for Republican Assemblyman Jim Tedisco this week, asking why he won’t take a stand on the massive stimulus package.

That Mr. Tedisco would suggest that his position on what just might be the most contentious issue in Washington is a “hypothetical question” raises serious questions about his qualifications to serve in Congress. Economic policy couldn’t be more critical in a congressional race.

Mr. Tedisco needs to understand that he’s no longer in Albany, where he’s the leader of the Republican minority in the state Assembly. Congress, he needs to learn, is a place where legislative debate tends to actually matter.

So, what’s his problem? Why’s he on the fence? Why can’t he level with the voters?

It’s not because the stimulus was the Democrats’ bill, is it?

The issue:

A candidate for Congress has no position on the economic stimulus bill.

The Stakes:

He can’t be serious.

I’ll have to agree on that point. This is not the time and certainly not the subject to paddle around the issue with half answers. If he wants to go to Congress, I’m sure his potential constituents would like to know how he’s leaning on something as important as Son of Porkulus.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have kept up their assertions that Democratic candidate Scott Murphy is both more and less than he seems. In addition to allegedly failing to pay taxes due from one of his startup business ventures and not voting in many elections, questions are being raised about the actual nature of his work. Murphy describes himself as a venture capitalist who has helped to create many jobs in New York. But opposition research seems to indicate that Murphy is actually a registered lobbyist for the venture capital firm.

According to records obtained by the Missouri Ethics Commission, Scott Murphy became registered as a lobbyist in that state, just months after he ended his stint as a staffer for former Governor Roger Wilson. Wilson was Governor until January 8, 2001 and Scott Murphy registered as a lobbyist on April 24, 2001 (“Lobbying: Scott Murphy,” Missouri Ethics Commission, Accessed 2/9/09). He became a lobbyist for Advantage Capital Partners, his current employer.

“This is yet another fact in what is growing into a long list of omissions on the part of Scott Murphy. So far we have found out that Wall Street executive Scott Murphy has refused to pay his taxes, started a business in India that rivals an American company, and fell off the voter roles in New York for four years because he was busy working as a lobbyist. This is hardly an individual who is looking out for the needs of middle class families in upstate New York. What else is Scott Murphy hiding?”

We should point out yet again that there’s nothing illegal or even inherently wrong about being a lobbyist. But if that’s what your job is, you should probably come right out and tell us when you’re running for Congress.

Meanwhile, it looks like we’ll be treated to a debate between the candidates next month during the week of March 23. If at all possible, I’ll try to be there to bring our readers some live coverage and analysis.