Minneapolis Star Tribune endorses Kerry

[LTR]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5035411.html

John Kerry/The right choice for president

Political passions are burning white hot as Nov. 2 nears. Americans realize what is at stake: the United States' ability to lead in the world, protect its citizens at home, preserve its treasured liberties, and leave a legacy of hope and opportunity. George W. Bush's presidency has put all that at risk. Sen. John Kerry proposes a sharp course change.

The Star Tribune endorses John Kerry for president.

Long steeped in U.S. foreign policy, Kerry understands that safeguarding Americans and pursuing national interests require strong alliances and deft diplomacy -- that the exercise of military power by itself does little but breed resentment. He knows that an indispensable part of the United States' power to lead in the world derives from its status as a beacon of freedom, morality and justice. Kerry recognizes that to prevail in the struggle against terrorism, America must return to the moral high ground rather than unilaterally pursue a perverted, narrow vision of its national interest.

At home Kerry would roll back Bush's tax cuts to the nation's wealthiest taxpayers, now the chief cause of massive federal deficits, and work to shore up the middle class. He has presented a sound plan for affordable health care, while shunning GOP efforts to privatize pieces of Medicare and Social Security. He would reverse Bush's devious dismantling of environmental protections, and he would preserve the safety net that protects America's most vulnerable citizens.

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[gottaB]

1. Hope this has an impact in Wisconsin --n/t

[LTR]

2. The Strib gets into western Wisconsin

They have boxes as far as Eau Claire.

The Pioneer Press also has some reach into Wisconsin, but tends to lean right. I was expecting the Strib to endorse Kerry, as the paper tends to lean left anyway (or so people claim). They endorsed Gore in 2000, and the PP endorsed Bush that year.

I'm looking forward to seeing who the PP likes for president. They did endorse Feingold today:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/editorial/

[gottaB]

3. Feingold is a great senator

If the stinginess factor is decisive, PP ought to endorse Kerry too.