The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's cynical endorsement

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorsed Republican J.B. Van Hollen for Attorney General. That endorsement stems from one thing - the paper would love to see Van Hollen investigating Governor Doyle for every little thing he does over the next four years.

How else to explain why they endorsed a candidate that is completely wrong on many of the major issues the paper cares about?

Investigations - whether they are grounded in reality or result in any charges - sell newspapers. And why do the hard work of actually digging into the issues facing our state when stories about "scandals" can be written simply by having a partisan Attorney General throw bombs at the governor and calling up some goo goo for a quote?

The Journal Sentinel said they aren't worried about Van Hollen's crazy statements and fringe beliefs because he can't legislate and he promised not to be too crazy.

No word on whether they checked behind his back to see if he had his fingers crossed.

What about his performance in this election would give any paper or person the belief that Van Hollen will be balanced or represent any view other than his extremist point of view?

Van Hollen's view of the role of the Attorney General isn't even balanced. Van Hollen's "all violent crime, all the time" mentality regarding the job led even more conservative newspapers like the Appleton Post Crescent to endorse Kathleen Falk.

Van Hollen may not be able to technically legislate, but he can pick and choose what his office takes on, or more importantly doesn't take on for cases and enforcement. He can do a lot of damage in four years.

Here's hoping the readers of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel see through the game this newspapers is playing.