The Wisconsin State Journal backed George Bush for president, opposed Tammy Baldwin's re-election in 2008, and recently editorialized about the need for labor unions and American workers to compromise more in the face of demands from corporations.
So what should progressive voters make of the paper's endorsement of Brett Hulsey?
Does this mean that Hulsey is the conservative candidate in the Democratic primary race to replace 77th District state Rep. Spencer Black?
We don't think so. Hulsey has taken progressive stands over the years and he's been a far more solid Democrat than the Republican-leaning State Journal would prefer. Indeed, while we have always backed Hulsey in his County Board races, the State Journal has often attacked him.
But the endorsement in Tuesday's primary race does beg a question: Who carries the progressive banner in this race? In fairness, all of the Democrats can stake claims.
Hulsey's record on the Dane County Board provides ample evidence of a willingness to stand up to special interests and take strong stands on local, state and national issues. Among other things, he sponsored the board's anti-Iraq war resolution.
Former Middleton Mayor Doug Zwank was similarly outspoken in his opposition to the war -- not just backing Middleton's anti-war resolution but speaking up at Veterans for Peace events.
County Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein, the big spender in the race, has a scantier record. But she has won a number of endorsements from progressive Madison alders and County Board members.
Like Hulsey, John Imes has a long record of working on environmental issues and, to our view, Imes has run a fresh, smart campaign.
But, when all is said and done, it would seem that attorney Fred Wade is the candidate who can stake the best claim to the progressive label.
Wade has been endorsed by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster and Ed Garvey, among many other leading progressive activists. He is, as well, one of the steadiest and most consistent reformers in the state.
The Capital Times editorial board endorses candidates in fall races while generally staying out of primaries, where we think partisans are more than able to pick their own nominees.
In November, we are hoping for a competitive race in District 77 between the Democratic nominee and Green Ben Manski, who has been endorsed by the Madison teachers union. And we think libertarian Republican Dave Redick will make the fall debate an interesting one. So, though this is a historically Democratic district, we don't necessarily expect Tuesday's primary to conclude the race to fill Black's seat.
We see our role as reporting on the race, highlighting interesting endorsements and analyzing what they mean. That's why we are writing today about the State Journal's endorsement of Hulsey, who cannot be comfortable as the candidate of the paper that backed Bush and also Tammy Baldwin's challengers.
Voters will have to assess their comfort level with regard to the State Journal's stance. In the end, however, there are more meaningful endorsements to be considered, as well as track records and stances on the issues.
For folks who are still deciding, the websites of the candidates can be reached by clicking on their names below. Check them out for yourself. And vote Tuesday.
Taken from the Capital Times Website, September 13, 2010
