We Endorse Falk, Koenen, Peterson

by Reed Anfinson
Publisher, Swift County Monitor-News
 
Republicans Endorse Clinton
We don’t expect that our Republican readers would give much weight to our words if we wrote about why Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was not qualified to be president of the United States. We know they expect us to give an endorsement of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, listing all the qualifications that make her best for the job despite obvious flaws.
But rather than make that case, we will let your fellow Republicans tell you why they are either voting for Clinton, writing in some other name, or simply not voting for a presidential candidate Nov. 8:
 
Former Minnesota two-term Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty
“Although I’d hoped he could have risen to the occasion, it’s clear Trump is unwilling or unable to demonstrate even the most basic level of discipline, character and judgment necessary to lead our great nation. He is unsound, uninformed, unhinged and unfit to be President of the United States.”
 
Former Minnesota Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman
“I won’t vote for Donald Trump because of who he isn’t. He isn’t a Republican. He isn’t a conservative. He isn’t a truth teller…. I also won’t vote for Donald Trump because of who he is. A bigot. A misogynist. A fraud. A bully.”
 
Former Minnesota Republican U.S. Rep. Vin Weber along with 30 other former Republicans House members
“I can’t simply back somebody that I think is bad for the country.” Weber has said. “I can’t imagine I’d remain a Republican if he becomes president.”
Weber joined 30 former House Republicans in saying they wouldn’t vote for Trump calling him an “unacceptable danger.” He is  “a man who makes a mockery” of Republican conservative principles and is “manifestly unqualified” to be president.
“Each of us has taken an oath of office that conferred upon us a solemn obligation to act in the best interests of the United States. As Republican members of Congress, we took pride in representing a political party that stood for honest and principled public leadership in which the American people could place their trust,” they said in the written statement. “Sadly, our party’s nominee this year is a man who makes a mockery of the principles and values we have cherished and which we sought to represent in Congress.”
 
Former Republican Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
“Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw,” Rice said. “As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.”
 
Former Republican Secretary of State and four-star Gen. Collin Powell
Powell has come out and said he is voting for Clinton. In doing so he said, Trump is “selling people a bill of goods,” is not qualified, and “insults us every day.” In an earlier release of emails hacked from Powell’s server, he says Trump  “has no sense of shame,” is “a national disgrace” and “international pariah.”
 
Cincinnati Enquirer
“The Enquirer has supported Republicans for president for almost a century – a tradition this editorial board doesn’t take lightly. But this is not a traditional race, and these are not traditional times,” it said in an editorial.
“Our country needs calm, thoughtful leadership to deal with the challenges we face at home and abroad. We need a leader who will bring out the best in all Americans, not the worst. That’s why there is only one choice when we elect a president in November: Hillary Clinton.”
 
San Diego Tribune
“This paper has not endorsed a Democrat for president in its 148-year history. But we endorse Clinton. She’s the safe choice for the U.S. and for the world, for Democrats and Republicans alike,” the Tribune said in an editorial.
“Based on what Trump has said, we could see an administration that’s friendlier to ruthless Russia — which is waging a cyberwar against America — than to such democracies and historic partners as Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Japan and Australia.
“We could see an administration that reneges on its treaty commitments to dozens of nations, throwing the world into turmoil and increasing tensions in regions that historically have relied on the United States to be a stabilizing force.
“We could see an administration that ruins U.S. trustworthiness in international finance by seeking to refinance terms with debt-holders, putting a singular economic power in the same basket as Greece.”
 
Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News has endorsed every Republican candidate since 1968, but not this year.
“What does it mean to be a Republican? For generations, the answer had been clear: A belief in individual liberty. Free markets. Strong national defense,” it stated in an editorial. “Donald Trump is no Republican and certainly no conservative.”

Endorsing Falk, Koenen and Peterson
We will voice our support for Democrats Andrew Falk running for the Minnesota House seat in District 17A and for DFL Sen. Lyle Koenen in Senate District 17. We side with these candidates because we believe they are willing to make the best case for the need for Minnesota to invest more in rural economic development, more in education, and more in our infrastructure. We also believe they will figure out the best way to fix our broken health insurance programs with the aim of ensuring that thousands aren’t again left without insurance.
Republicans have consistently argued to lower spending in these areas.
We also support U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson in his run for re-election bid in the 7th Congressional District. We can’t imagine a stronger voice for rural Minnesota in Congress than Peterson. He knows agriculture. He knows small towns.