Democrats have made much over whether a John McCain presidency would be George W. Bush's third term. The Republican senator from Arizona has voted with Bush 90 percent of the time, but they differ in important ways.

The same is true of Alabama's U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. He has been an even more reliable Bush supporter - except when he isn't.

Most recently, Sessions opposed the $700 billion bailout for financial institutions. Most notably, and unfortunately, Sessions bashed Bush's immigration reform plan, and landed on the national stage.

Sessions' Nov. 4 opponent is Democrat Vivian Davis Figures, a well-respected state senator.

Sessions has shown he is serious about fiscal responsibility. In 2003, he joined McCain in trying to end congressional earmarks. He opposed a 2004 highway bill that spent more than Bush wanted, spurring state roadbuilders to travel to Washington to complain.

Sessions also championed Bill Pryor's federal judicial appointment in the Senate, which Democrats opposed. And, Sessions fought to keep Congress from stealing away the award to Northrop Grumman/EADS of the next generation of U.S. Air Force refueling tankers slated to be built in Mobile, creating 1,500 good-paying jobs.

Sessions also has championed the No Child Left Behind Act, which has managed to bring more accountability to public schools. And he secured federal Reading First funds for Alabama schools, which, in conjunction with the Alabama Reading Initiative, has led to better reading success.

We don't agree with Sessions on all the issues. In 2005, for example, he was one of just nine senators to oppose banning "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" of prisoners held by the U.S.

Still, we believe Jeff Sessions is better suited to represent Alabama in Washington, D.C., and has earned another six-year term.