Attack Ads Key To Endorsement For Newspaper

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Breaking only slightly from tradition of past endorsements for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Justice, the Janesville Gazette editorial staff endorsed Shirley Abrahamson for the court without completely tearing her down. The Gazette if you might recall, would not endorse a candidate in the Ziegler/Clifford campaign, except to explain that Wisconsin would deteriorate into a near wasteland if you vote for Clifford. They did endorse Louis Butler last year, but not without bashing him. So what’s the difference this time around?

Apparently, the Gazette staff believes that third party attack ads are a legitimate source for information and play a huge role in their decision-making process on whether a candidate is worthy of an endorsement.

JG Editorial Endorsement:
But it’s telling that, unlike in the last two races, the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and other independent parties are sitting out this campaign. No third-party group has been running ads attacking Abrahamson or supporting Koschnick.

It also becomes telling for the Gazette, that because the WMC did not attack Abrahamson, they endorse her.

JG Editorial Endorsement:
Instead, the fact that third parties aren’t running ads speaks to the respect that Abrahamson has earned in more than 32 years on the court.

But is that a dignified way for the Gazette to justify how she earned their respect, because others seemingly show it? Judging by this editorial, they think so. Again, I find the lack of third party attack ads as a qualifying reason to endorse anybody a very poor if not parochial way to promote a candidate.

Shirley Abrahamson is one of the smartest, fairest and classiest people Wisconsin could possibly have for a Supreme Court Justice. I certainly could care less what the WMC would have said against her or have against any other candidates in the past. It’s the WMC and their board of directors that have poisoned the campaign process in Wisconsin government. At this point, being dissed by the WMC should be a badge of honor.

And finally, after serving 32 years as a premier justice, the Gazette editors urge you to give her a chance - again. Like Abrahamson has something yet to prove herself capable of the job. Urging another “chance” be given in an endorsement to someone of Abrahamson's caliber is like saying maybe Tiger Woods should be given another chance as a professional golf player or Norm Abrams from “This Old House” deserves another chance being a carpenter or, oh never mind…you get the idea. She's a winner.

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On Thursday, the Janesville Gazette endorsed Rose Ferdnandez for State School Superintendent.

Check out the Rose Fernandez money pyramid informational ad by OneWisconsin involving several lobbyist groups including state interloper and attack specialist ‘All Children Matter’ and local GOP operatives like Bill McCoshen and Brett Davis.

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Three candidates running for Janesville school board and city council were in attendance at the 2009 Rock County Republican Party Caucus, held on February 7th at the Beloit Inn.

Rock County GOP Excerpt:
……..several other notable guests graced the audience, including Senator Glen Grothman from the state’s 20th senate district, Beloit School Board members Pam Charles and John Acomb, Janesville School Board candidates Karl Dommershausen and Diedre Richard, and Janesville City Council candidate Daniel Straasburg.