StarTribune endorses Obama, Coleman.

[trotsky]

Obama (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/33243864.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsr):

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama also promises reform and change. Since his passionate "Red State-Blue State'' speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama has staked out an optimistic vision of a more united America and a bipartisan approach to addressing problems in Washington.

With hope that he can deliver on that promise, Obama receives our endorsement.

Coleman !?!? (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/33243874.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsr):

Coleman didn't begin his Senate service as an agent of bipartisanship. But that's the note on which he wound up his six-year term and which he has sounded repeatedly in his reelection campaign. We like the trend we've seen and believe Coleman is capable of taking it further.

The Strib editors are idiots. Coleman has "appeared" bipartisan only as Bush became an anchor. He completely and utterly goes with the flow, and has no fixed principles whatsoever. He fooled them, as he has fooled a whole lot of Minnesotans.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I'm really disappointed that the Strib endorsed Norm the Weasel.

Maybe they just were trying to counter their perceived "liberal bias," since Norm is and always has been a Bush tool.

[bjb]

2. Saw this on Americablog.com

Norm Coleman mails "rape" comic book to Minnesota's children

[Bjorn Against]

4. Their editorial page has shifted to the right over the past year.

This is no surprise at all, ever since the Star Tribune came under new ownership and started getting rid of its old staff they have moved very notably to the right. Anyone who thinks the Star Tribune has a liberal bias has obviously not read the Star Tribune in the past year. It is sad, but not at all surprising that they would endorse Coleman. Hopefully some people will now notice what they have become and cancel their subscriptions.

[cyclezealot]

14. Paper's strategically endorse all the time, they think that makes them look fair.

But the biggest problem is ownership.. As they are taken over by large conglomerates; we really think they are fair minded .

[RidinMyDonkey]

3. I'm glad they endorsed Obama

But Coleman is a disgrace to Minnesota. I wont be picking up a Star Tribune anytime soon, it's a waste of paper anyway, I get all the news I actually want to read from the internet and not the paper.

[dflprincess]

5. Normie's so capable of taking bipartisan ship further

that he's running to get in charge of the RSCC where his job will be attacking Democratic senators.

[question everything]

6. That's pretty much it. Coleman with go with the flow

which means... he may actually work with the Democrats once he senses that they are in power and that this is where his future is.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Coleman has always been an unprincipled opportunist.

He'll always go with whoever he thinks can benefit his career the most.

[dodger501]

8. I think I am finally going to do it

Been a Strib subscriber since the mid-70s. It was run by Cowles back then.
Can't take it any more, going to cancel.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. I'm thinking of doing the same.

I only read it for the comics and the crosswords anyhow, since their "news" coverage pretty much sucks these days.

[trotsky]

12. I did right after the new ownership took over and purged staff.

And outsourced. I called and I made sure they knew that was *exactly* why I did it.

[Lucian]

9. That's disappointing...

about the Norm endorsement. I like the Strib too. :( :grr:

[Eric J in MN]

10. The Star Tribune is owned by Avista Capital Partners, a Wall Street firm.

The endorsement of Norm Coleman cites his vote for the Wall Street bailout bill, and Al Franken saying he would have voted No.

[Minnesota Raindog]

13. The Pie-in-Ear Press is not making a presidential endorsement this year

Evidently they need all the subscribers they can get.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. Can't bring themselves to endorse McCain because they know he sucks

even though they endorsed Bush in 00 and 04 -- but still too chickenshit to endorse Obama and piss off their wingnut subscribers in Woodbury.

[Eric J in MN]

16. Donations of the CEO of Avista Capital Partners, which owns Star Tribune

http://mnpublius.com/2008/10/huge-surprise-avista-capital-partners-paper-endorses-norm-coleman/

Dean, Thompson
New York,NY 10065 Avista Capital Holdings L.P./C.E.O. 5/29/08 $28,500 Republican National Cmte (R)
DEAN, THOMPSON
NEW YORK,NY 10065 AVISTA CAPITAL HOLDINGS LP 6/9/08 $5,025 Republican Party of Wisconsin (R)
Dean, Thompson
New York,NY 10065 Avista Capital Holdings LP 5/16/08 $5,025 Colorado Republican Campaign Cmte (R)
Dean, Thompson
New York,NY 10065 Avista Capital Holdings LP 5/16/08 $4,225 Colorado Republican Campaign Cmte (R)
Dean, Thompson
New York,NY 10065 Avista Capital Holdings, LP 6/4/08 $4,225 Republican Campaign Cmte of New Mexico (R)
DEAN, THOMPSON
NEW YORK,NY 10065 AVISTA CAPITAL HOLDINGS LP 6/9/08 $4,225 Republican Party of Wisconsin (R)
DEAN, THOMPSON MR
NEW YORK,NY 10021 AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS/PRIVATE EQU 2/14/07 $2,300 Giuliani, Rudolph W (R)
DEAN, THOMPSON MR
NEW YORK,NY 10065 AVISTA CAPITAL HOLDINGS L.P. 5/31/08 $2,300 McCain, John (R)
DEAN, THOMPSON MR
NEW YORK,NY 10065 AVISTA CAPITAL HOLDINGS L.P. 5/31/08 $2,300 McCain, John (R)

[mac56]

17. Is the Strib's endorsement of Normie really a huge blow?

I'm trying to get over my disappointment. I don't really think the Strib has a lot of credibility anymore, especially among DFLers and independents.

It's no longer the Strib I grew up with.

[CatholicEdHead]

18. Now they just endorsed Walz and Kline

Walz I can understand but Kline? The excuse for Sarvi is that they would only do it if it was an open seat. :puke:

[Eric J in MN]

19. It's all about the bailout for the Star Tribune,

...a newspaper owned by an investment bank.

They chose John Kline for voting for the bailout.

They chose Tim Walz because while he voted No on the bailout, his opponent Brian Davis seems even more opposed.