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First, I'd like to give a shout out to ndrwmls10 for bringing up both this story and this great ad in the comments of the Morning Election Digest.
So it was brought to my attention that the Green Bay Press-Gazette, which apparently is a conservative leaning newspaper, has endorsed Republican Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, in the 2012 Presidential Election:
http://www.examiner.com/...
The Green Bay Press-Gazette is endorsing Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who we believe is the best choice to turn around the U.S. economy. We believe the Republican candidate’s experience as CEO of Bain Capital, governor of Massachusetts and work with the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City will be assets to turning around the economy. mitt Romney’s five-point jobs proposal looks to strengthen the middle class by creating 12 million jobs in his first term. Romney aims to reach this ambitious goal by achieving energy independence by 2020, expanding trade, improving education, cutting the deficit and helping small businesses. - Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/28/12
Sorry to make you vomit for that brief moment. But here's something that will make you feel better. The very same conservative-leaning newspaper has also endorsed Democrat Tammy Baldwin for the U.S. Senate race to fill retiring Senator Herb Kohl's (D) seat:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...
But when you consider the candidate who has a better grasp of the issues and has more potential upside, the Green Bay Press-Gazette endorses Baldwin for the U.S. Senate.
It’s not lost on the editorial board that it endorsed Romney and now backs one of the more liberal members of Congress. However, two years ago we endorsed then-U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold over Republican businessman Ron Johnson after having endorsed Republican Sen. John McCain for president in 2008. The editorial board decides by examining issues and choosing the person it thinks will do the best job; not by political party. - Green bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
The Green Bay Press-Gazette went on to explain why they are endorsing Baldwin over her Republican opponent, former Governor Tommy Thompson (R):
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We don’t agree with all of her stances , but we believe at this time she’s the best choice.
Thompson has done a lot of good things for this state, but we don’t see him as a good choice at this time. The bristling and showmanship seem like his ego talking, when what we need more is a more balanced approach that doesn’t brush aside critics as losers, but tries to work with them. Baldwin has shown that side.
For that reason, we endorse Baldwin for Senate. - Green bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
Ouch. That's gotta sting for Thompson when the local conservative newspaper accuses you of being an ego maniac and instead endorses a pretty progressive congresswoman over you. The article goes on to point out Thompson hypocrisy, especially on taxes:
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He criticizes his opponent for raising taxes, yet he presided over the Medicare Part D prescription drug program as secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush. The program, though valuable, was an unfunded mandate, or, in other words, a tax increase. A huge one. - Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
They also point out both Thompson's flip flopping and his pathetic attempts to appeal to the Tea Party crowd:
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During an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, he distanced himself from U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s Mecicare plan and touted that his — stay on Medicare or receive same health plan as members of Congress and federal employees —would save money. He said the Congressional Budget Office had rated it, but later backtracked and said it hadn’t been scored yet and he wasn’t sure if it would save money. - Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
Once a moderate Republican, Thompson seems to have tailored and changed his views to appeal to the hard right, which is disconcerting for a gridlocked, partisan Congress. - Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
The Press-Gazette had some great things to say about Baldwin and highlighted her stances on preserving and saving Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts for the middle-class and investing in infrastructure, education and research. They also highlight her role in helping draft the Affordable Care Act:
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One of the most popular parts of Obamacare, allowing parents to insure their children up to the age of 26, was written by Baldwin. - Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
The article also goes on to show that Baldwin is a progressive champ who can successfully work with Republicans on legislator:
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She and U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Sherwood, authored a bill to protect the paper industry in the state from unfair trade practices by China. She and U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Weston, worked to keep the Milk Income Loss Contract program in the farm bill, which stalled in the House, where “partisanship trumped Congress,” she said. She worked with Republicans on national breast and cervical cancer detection program for the uninsured and underinsured. - Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/30/12
This should be a wake up call to Republicans like Tommy Thompson. When you try to appeal to the Tea Party crowd instead of staying true to your beliefs, you lose. Even with traditional conservatives. Even conservatives are getting tired of the constant gridlock and obstructionism in Washington. The fact that this right-leaning newspaper is throwing it's support behind Baldwin is an indication that there are conservatives out there, not a lot, but some that are willing to put partisanship aside and compromise to help fix our country's economic problems.
Baldwin has proven to not only be a progressive champion but also someone that both sides can work with. She's smart, friendly and can get her argument across to Republicans like Ribble and Duffy. She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and she is a shining star of hope that we can get something done in the House and Senate. Thompson on the other hand is spineless and will cave to Tea Party pressure to preserve his seat.
Also, former President Bill Clinton recently made an ad endorsing Baldwin for the Senate. You should check it out:
If we want to not only hold onto the Senate and upgrade, there is no better candidate than Tammy Baldwin to do that. Of course Karl Rove, the Koch Brothers and ALEC are spending big to help buy this election for Thompson. If we want to get judges who vote to overturn the Supreme Court's decision on Citizens United than we need Baldwin in the Senate. Like Ted Kennedy, she's a liberal lion who will stick for the people of Wisconsin. Help her keep this great ad on TV:
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https://secure.actblue.com/...