Salem (OR) Statesman Journal endorses Kerry

[swag]

http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041021/OPINION/410210327/1048

Kerry isn't perfect, but he makes best president

October 21, 2004

These are not the best days for Americans, for Oregonians. Our security is threatened at home and abroad. Our health-care system is a mess, and too many Americans go hungry and jobless. Our capital is rife with partisanship and distrust, as is our nation. Our troops are mired in a war that seemingly worsens by the day.

We cannot, and should not, blame President Bush for all of our nation's problems. But neither should we let him evade responsibility for his missteps. He has been indecisive in fighting terrorism but decisive about a questionable war; careless about deficit spending but careful about the interests of polluters, big business and wealthy people.

We have serious concerns about Sen. John Kerry. We worry that he promises much and will deliver far less. We recognize that some of his policies have shifted with the political winds; the same is true with George W. Bush.

In the end, Kerry gives America hope for a fresh start, for leadership that respects regular Americans and for a presidency that can rebuild America's stature in the world.

. . .much more, speaking of Bush's deception, etc. Haven't found yet who they endorsed in 2000, but Salem isn't the most liberal part of Oregon.

Also from Today's Statesman Journal:

http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041021/STATE/410210345

Democrats Count on Voter Surge

excerpts:

At the end of August 2003, there were 42,891 more Democrats registered to vote than Republicans in Oregon. By the end of August 2004, Democrats had surged to a lead of 65,435 registrants -- and Democrats likely increased their lead since then.

A Statesman Journal analysis of registered voters added since the first of the year reveals:

- Democrats enlarged their voter-registration lead over Republicans in Multnomah County by more than 27,000 new voters.

- There now are more unaffiliated voters than Republicans in Multnomah County, the state's most populous county.

- In Washington County, Oregon's second-largest county, Democrats cut the GOP's 8,839-voter lead overall to 4,772. The county also has a high proportion of unaffiliated voters, and Democrats' extensive voter registration drive could reap dividends because it identified independents leaning toward Kerry.

- Democrats padded their voter-registration lead over Republicans in Lane County by more than 6,000 voters.

. . .