The Endorsement Race

President

Four new endorsements for John Kerry give him the current lead, 7 to 6.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Both presidential candidates are decent men, undeserving of the demonization they’ve endured during this campaign.

That said, there is a clear choice in this election, and that would be John Kerry for president.

Kerry’s record - Vietnam combat vet to anti-war activist to effective U.S. senator - speaks of courage, patriotism and a balanced and thoughtful view of this country, its needs and its role in the world.

The LaCrosse Tribune:

Kerry demonstrated during the three presidential debates, that he has the intellectual skills needed to lead. Kerry will be able to assemble an administration well-equipped to deal with a dangerous and complicated world.

The Capitol Times:

It is easy to forget, after so bitter and dispiriting a campaign, what made Kerry so very appealing to so many American voters in the first place.

John Kerry has, repeatedly through a public career that now spans 35 years, been courageous enough to sacrifice the comforts of his class, his educational experience and his prominence to stand with those seeking to correct our country's course. It would be absurd to suggest now, at so critical a stage in this career, that he would be unwilling to do so again.

Kerry has the experience and intelligence to begin to rebuild what we have lost: the respect of much of the rest of the world.

And the Green Bay News Chronicle:

The amazing thing about the reign of George W. Bush is that nearly half the populace wants him to return for another four years. With apologies to Abraham Lincoln, it seems you can fool half of the people all of the time.

Truly, the Bush II presidency has been nothing short of disastrous.

U.S. Senate

By my count, Feingold has a 10 to 1 lead over Michels in newspaper endorsements.

Here's the list:

Feingold: Wausau Daily Herald, Chippewa Herald, La Crosse Tribune, Oshkosh Northwestern, The Capital Times, Appleton Post-Crescent, Racine Journal Times, Wisconsin State Journal, Green Bay News Chronicle, Kenosha News,

Michels: Green Bay Press Gazette

WisPolitics.com's election page also lists the St. Paul Pioneer Press as endorsing Feingold - apparently, this foreign paper is trying to influence an election in our great state. I recommend immediate invasion, just as long as the U.N. agrees.