The Detroit Free Press had a nice endorsement for John Kerry today. They endorsed Al Gore in 2000. They're the largest circulation paper in Michigan and the 19th largest circulation paper in the country (about 50% bigger than the Detroit News).
Check out the article.
Four years ago, George W. Bush promised America he was "a uniter, not a divider." Today, the nation is more divided in more ways than it has been since the turbulent 1960s. The president has failed, or refused, to pursue consensus on America's problems and instigated solutions that have produced results ranging from mixed to disastrous.
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The Free Press believes the nation will be better served by electing DEMOCRAT JOHN KERRY as the next president of these United States, and we emphasize united.
America needs a new direction, and that can begin only with new leadership. Kerry is not a perfect candidate, but he is a promising alternative to things as they are. The Massachusetts senator is certainly more thoughtful than Bush, more open to new ideas and more sensitive to the issues confronting the middle and working classes. He is as resolute as the incumbent about fighting terrorism but more willing to change strategies that are not effective.
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As president, George W. Bush has had his shining moments, but too few and far between. At home and abroad, America cannot afford the course he would surely stick to for the next four years. John Kerry offers new approaches that are worth trying. But it is Bush who has really made the case for change.
The Free Press endorses JOHN KERRY for president.
It's not over the top, and it does credit George W. Bush with being uniter and a great cheerleader after 9/11, but otherwise being ineffective or incompetent.
They mention a handful of local issues, but they don't mention Kerry's plans to tighten fuel efficiency; I don't blame them - it would be a complex topic to cover. It could hurt the auto industry in the short run. However, the UAW does endorse Kerry for his stance on Labor and will have a strong ground game for the GOTV efforts. John Kerry has talked about providing incentives to invest in fuel efficient technology which will somewhat offset the problems that changes in CAFE standards will cause here.
An old saying here is that "we build 'em and we drive the hell outta 'em." Gas prices in Michigan are above the national average for various reasons and we've got a ton of SUV drivers that drive fast and drive all the time. High oil prices will affect the vote here.
The Detroit News endorsed Bush in 2000 - I don't know if they've released an endorsement yet for President, though they were targeted by "Operation Shame on You".
Either way, I still say Michigan is safely blue.