Who will the Pioneer Press endorse?

[Dickie Flatt]

I think we can all agree that the Star Tribune will be endorsing Kerry. But who will the Pioneer Press endorse? In 2000, they went for Bush. You can read their endorsement http://www.pioneerplanet.com/reprints/1015endorse.htm">here. A highlight from the endorsement:

On national security and foreign policy, Gore has both the better grasp of future challenges and a more frank assessment of the price tag to taxpayers. Bush lacks direct experience. But his instincts seem serious and sane. His advisers in this area, beginning with vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney, are superb.

So much for that.

For comparison, the Star Tribune nailed Bush in explaining why they endorsed Gore instead:
Bush has had only a little over one term in public office. Much of his early adult life was spent unremarkably, seemingly devoid of purpose and drive. And while he has outperformed expectations in his debates with Gore, little depth can be found in his views. He repeats phrases he has learned but is hard pressed to go further. Bush's campaign has focused not on policy, but on his sunny personality and general hopes for America. ...

(Bush's) presidency would embolden the Tom DeLays of the Republican Congress; they'd have a free hand to reassert their right-wing agenda - an agenda the public has vociferously rejected in its disgust over the shenanigans of ex- Speaker Newt Gingrich.

[gristy]

1. that is very interesting

In many ways, Bush has done for the Republican Party what Bill Clinton did for Democrats eight years ago. He has led his party smartly toward the political center on key issues.

LOL :D

Representing a generation of popular, moderate Republican governors, Bush has muted the sweeping anti-government rhetoric associated with some Republicans in Congress. Absent from Bush's philosophy is the notion that slashing taxes and dismantling a few federal departments is all Americans need from their national leadership.

Yeah, apparently Bush had some other ideas too. Doubt that the PP knew what they were at the time they wrote this piece.

It will be very curious how they justify their choice if they choose boosh again.

[KC21304]

2. If it weren't so tragic, this endorsement from 2000

would be the most hilarious piece I've read in ages.

[dpbrown]

3. I dropped Pioneer Press subscription the day after that

And when I called, I told them the only reason I was dropping their paper was because they had endoresed Bush. The customer service person said they understood my sentiments.

I hope they endorse Kerry. I can't believe that a city that had all its precincts but one go for Gore in 2000 would have a hometown paper that would slap its neighbors in the face, especially since Bush has been such an unmitigated disaster since day one.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Eric J in MN]

4. No one signs their names to editorials, so

there is no accountability for whomever decided that...

"Bush lacks direct (foreign policy) experience. But his instincts seem serious and sane. His advisers in this area, beginning with vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney, are superb.

[ButterflyBlood]

5. they'll endorse * again

it's a right wing rag that also endorsed Norm The Worthless Piece of Crap.

[trotsky]

6. The Pioneer Pravda has an inferiority complex.

Always trying to catch up to its cross-metro rival, the Star/Tribune. So because of the perceived liberal slant of the Strib, the Press thinks it needs to go to the right to draw people away. They'll endorse Bush*, no doubt. Only it will be an entirely different slate of reasons they gave in 2000 - some glaringly contradictory - and it won't phase them one bit.

[NervousRex]

7. It may not be * this time...

In 2000 the editor in charge of political endorsements was Steven Dornfeld, who is a bitter, drunken Neo-Con hack. He wrote steaming piles of bootlicking drivel about all repubs in the 2000 election season in exchange for a job in the Met Council. There are new people on the editorial board now.

[Eric J in MN]

8. the Star Tribune was able to see through Bush (nt)

nt