Star Tribune on the 3rd district: Endorsements are too hard…
Despite the Star Tribune’s march toward the far right, even its editors know that Erik Paulsen is a terrible choice in the third district:The candidacy of Eden Prairie Republican Erik Paulsen generated significant reservations. Paulsen has an impressive political pedigree, serving as the Minnesota House Majority leader from 2003 through 2006. He was awarded a prestigious fellowship that took him to India and China.
But Paulsen’s endorsement interview was disappointing. His answers on energy, health care and foreign policy lacked depth, detail and vision. Paulsen performed better at debates, but did not make the case that he has the depth needed to be a strong, independent leader in Congress.
Paulsen was a fiscal and social conservative in the Legislature, voting for measures that this newspaper opposed. Why he’s casting himself as a moderate in this race is unclear. His conservative credentials are solid; he should have run on them.
I found this language telling for two reasons. First of all, the Strib clearly is disappointed in Paulsen, as well they should be. More importantly, though, this passage makes it clear just how far to the right they’ve moved. The editors are practically begging him to campaign on the extremist right-wing policies he espoused back when the editorial board leaned to the left. You know, it wouldn’t be the end of the world for the Strib to just admit that their editorial board leans conservative; I just wish they’d come out and say it.
Despite their reservations over Paulsen, the Star Tribune just can’t bring themselves to actually muster a bit of political courage and endorse Ashwin Madia. Instead, they opt for one of the lamest cop-outs I’ve read in a while:
All three candidates in the race to replace Republican Jim Ramstad in the Third District are competent. But none inspired the critical mass of confidence required for our endorsement.
Come on, you’re an editorial board. I’m sorry if the decision’s hard for you, but do your job. Pick the best candidate. The voters don’t get to choose to send nobody in November. And since you clearly can’t stand Paulsen, there would seem to be only one choice.
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Election 2008, Media | 
Jeff Rosenberg | October 28, 2008
