Star Tribune endorsements for Congress — Districts 1-4

Thanks to Bluestem Prairie for this tip:

Editorial: Walz, Rowley, Ramstad, McCollum
Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 23, 2006

Two incumbents, two challengers stand out in House races.

First District: Walz

Since he went to Washington in 1994, Rep. Gil Gutknecht has done a good job representing the interests and conservative values of southern Minnesota, and he won our endorsement two years ago. But this year the Republican incumbent finds himself on the defensive over issues ranging from the war in Iraq (he calls himself "frustrated") to the DM&E Railroad proposal, and there's a good reason: The DFL has fielded a superior candidate in Tim Walz....

Walz radiates energy, optimism and critical thinking -- qualities Washington could use right now.

Second District: Rowley

DFL challenger Coleen Rowley of Apple Valley seems badly overmatched in her race against GOP incumbent John Kline of Lakeville. Where he is polished, articulate and increasingly well versed in the issues of this rural-south-suburban district, she seems to be running mainly on plainspoken outrage and her fame as an FBI whistleblower. Yet these are precisely the qualities that Washington needs at a time when the nation has gone badly off track and a Republican-majority Congress doesn't seem to realize it....

While Rowley is short on political experience, she has proved herself a quick study and avid learner. Washington needs a change in course, and the Second District is a good place to start.

The article is here.