Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Endorses Walker

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board believes in Scott Walker.

Walker for another term

Four years ago, we recommended Scott Walker for re-election as Milwaukee County executive. Despite differences, we concluded that he had done a solid job and deserved a full term.

If anything, our differences with Walker today are more numerous and, overall, more sharply drawn.

We're again recommending Walker in Tuesday's election. This time, however, our support is much more qualified.

...Taylor is an intelligent and capable opponent who has compellingly called into question Walker's insistence on holding the line on taxes while county services have suffered. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Taylor, an attorney and former businesswoman, is passionate about her hometown, and it comes through loud and clear. And as a legislator and member of the Joint Finance Committee, she obviously can handle challenges.

But the senator has failed in this campaign to demonstrate the necessary grasp of county government that a politically experienced challenger should possess. She has failed to detail possible solutions and commit herself to them.

Taylor has taken Walker to task for refusing to even consider an increase in the 0.5% county sales tax for parks or transit. But she then backpedals - saying she would first look to root out waste and inefficiencies. This is practically the same rationale used by Walker.

Absent these critical considerations, we cannot recommend her over Walker. Given our differences with Walker, we wish we could.

...Foremost, the job of county executive is about administering a municipal corporation with a budget of $1.3 billion. Walker has shown over the past six years that he understands the CEO role. Unlike his opponent, he brings seasoning and experience to a task that will only become more difficult as the economy sours and revenue tightens. Under these circumstances, it's simply best not to change leadership.

It's kind of funny that the Board actually admits, "[W]e cannot recommend [Taylor] over Walker. Given our differences with Walker, we wish we could."

I doubt that Taylor and her supporters find comfort in those words.

The Board seems to be apologizing to its lib readers.

The libs must feel betrayed by the Journal Sentinel, because the paper so rarely breaks ranks.

I think the Journal Sentinel Editorial Board must be weighed down with guilt for abandoning Taylor. Although it attacks Walker, that doesn't take the sting out of the Journal Sentinel deeming him to be the better choice for county executive.