What are the chances the St. Paul Pioneer Press will endorse Kerry?

[gristy]

I'm thinking they will. Don't know what's taking so long for them to declare, though. Maybe they already have and I missed it? This morning they endorsed the incumbent Dem, Russ Feingold, for the Wisconsin senate race.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/editorial/9930864.htm?1c

Our choices in U.S. Senate, House races Russ Feingold

In the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin we like incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold. Mainly, we're impressed by the fiscal conservatism he has shown over the years. The Concord Coalition and Taxpayers for Common Sense have endorsed him. The National Taxpayers Union noted that he was the only senator to promote an economic agenda that actually cut federal spending.

more...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. They endorsed Bush last time

and they tend to be kind of freeperish on occasion (they carry the column of that godawful nutjob Cal Thomas, after all). I also think they like to do the opposite of thatever the Strib does, just...because. But the Strib's endorsement of Kerr reamed Bush so thoroughly that they could look pretty stupid if they endorsed Chimpy. Here's part of their Bush endorsement from 2000:

"He has led his party smartly toward the political center on key issues....It is unlikely that in four years he could dislodge the Supreme Court majority supporting women's fundamental right to choose. We hope Bush will live up to his pledge that he will apply no abortion litmus test to court appointments....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!"

Oops. If they endorsed him again, they's have a lotta 'splainin' to do.

[Another Bill C.]

2. They also endorsed

Ron Kind and David Obey, Democratic candidates for Representative in Wisconsin districts 3 and 7.

For the U.S. House they also endorsed three Democrats in the Twin Cities districts: Betty McCollum, Martin Sabo, and Patty Wetterling.

This is a paper that normally leans to the Conservative side.