The Wheeler Report has begun to post endorsements in various political races around the state. Here's a roundup.

Bush Endorsements

The Oshkosh Northwestern:

We believe that the leadership of George W. Bush during the past four years shows a man who resolutely stays on the issues that affect Americans. He is in the best position to lead America in the next four years.

Kerry, by contrast, has decades in politics and little major legislation to show for it. He demonstrates a naivete that reflects a lack of thinking on the facts.

Beloit Daily News:

George W. Bush has shown the essence of true leadership, putting a frightened and hurting nation on his back and carrying it forward. He has earned a second term.

Wisconsin State Journal:

It comes down to this: President Bush tells people what he will do. Sen. John Kerry tells people what they want to hear. Bush is confident in action even when mistaken. Kerry is comfortable in passivity even at high cost.

Appleton Post Crescent, in a half-hearted endorsement:

Bush has at least demonstrated he can be a strong leader, particularly in the days following Sept. 11. Kerry, in the Senate or in this campaign, hasn’t sufficiently made the case that he’s better in that regard.

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter

Bush’s tax breaks will prove beneficial to the economy in the long run. The tax breaks let families keep more of their hard-earned money, and they give small businesses a needed boost. That’s particularly important in Manitowoc County, where small businesses will be counted on to replace many of the jobs lost in the manufacturing downturn.

Bush is right when he says that his positions on moral issues, particularly abortion, are more in line with mainstream America than are Kerry’s.

Kerry endorsements

Two so far: the Kenosha News (no link, thus no quote), and the Racine Journal Times:

The most impressive qualities that Kerry would bring to the job are his studied thoughtfulness and pragmatism. His history in Congress has shown an ability to compromise on issues and to consider other points of view. That has been sorely lacking in the Bush administration and is the root cause of some of its biggest failings.

That's 5 to 2 in favor of Bush so far, although I think we can pretty safely say that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Capitol Times will go for Kerry.

In the other statewide race, I count 5 endorsements for Feingold so far, to only one for Michels. Oddly, that's from the Green Bay Press Gazette, which is a relatively left-leaning newspaper:

The measuring sticks in an election point in different directions for the incumbent than they do for a challenger. The incumbent must be accountable for the legislative record in office while the challenger must prove only that he has the qualities to do a better job.

On these criteria, the Press-Gazette endorses the election of Tim Michels to the U.S. Senate.

I'll continue to keep score, as long as I only have to check the Wheeler Report to do it.