Here's a quick editorial roundup of Texas papers' opinions on John Kerry's choice of John Edwards:
The Express News says it suggests practicality on Kerry's part.
The Statesman says that Edwards will appeal to swing voters and his " toughness and tenacity will go a long way to make up for his inexperience in government."
The Morning News is more positive than I thought they'd be:
For the accountants – sober analysts of policy statements, who studiously parse each ticket's positions on the issues – Mr. Edwards looks like an awkward fit. On key economic issues, he is embarrassingly at odds with John Kerry, whose views must now take precedence over his own. On the issue of Iraq, where a dissenting voice might have resonance, he and Mr. Kerry are as one.However, for those who experience a presidential race as an exercise in retelling our national story, Mr. Edwards is an outstanding choice. Not only is his personal saga compelling, but his optimism and drive touch aspects of our fundamental self-concept as Americans.
Will Republicans exploit his protectionist stances, so out of step with Mr. Kerry's free-trade instincts? Yes.
Will many voters overlook such discrepancies because they like the man and find his energy infectious? Yes.
John Edwards has much to learn in the next four months, and America has much to learn about him.
The El Paso Times says they're not surprised, and expresses hope for a clear outcome this time around. They also note that former GOP Senator Al D'Amato thinks Cheney ought to go.
Not an editorial, but Democrats in Midland are happy with the choice.
The Amarillo Globe-News thinks Edwards will add life to the ticket.
And finally, the Chron calls Edwards a "good and expedient choice" while Cragg Hines says Kerry-Edwards is a "solid" ticket.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on July 07, 2004 to The making of the President | TrackBackWhy does the DMN surprise you?
Do you read their editor's blog?
Yes, there's the editorial page editor (Willey?) and Rod Dreher on the right.
But give Chamless and Frisinger a read sometime. The progressives here will probably like them a lot.
Posted by: kevin whited on July 8, 2004 8:53 AMI expected them to be more backhanded about any compliments they might have had. That's based more on my perception of their editorials in general rather than the DMN Daily blog (which I generally don't read because I often find it hard to figure out who's responding to whom). Taking a look at it now, I see your point. That said, I'm still surprised that the most unambiguously positive editorial I found came from the DMN.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on July 8, 2004 9:25 AMDoesn't Terry Eastland also own the DMN? He's a regular contributor to the Weekly Standard.
Posted by: TP on July 8, 2004 12:29 PM