That wasn't as surprising as its latest endorsement.
Our pick: Mitt Romney"Not enough hope and too little change."
Not enough hope and too little change.
That is President Barack Obama's record on the economy, debt and Washington gridlock after four years in the White House.
The State Journal editorial board endorses Mitt Romney in Tuesday's presidential election.
Romney showed as the Republican governor of Democratic-leaning Massachusetts that he can find agreement across the partisan divide. And his vice presidential pick — Wisconsin's U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville — suggests Romney is serious about tackling America's fiscal mess.
Romney has an impressive record of success in the private and public sectors. He's a numbers guy who focuses more on results than ideology. That's why so many of his fellow Republicans during the GOP primary criticized him for not being conservative enough.
Romney has been a strong leader in business and civic life. This includes turning around many troubled companies and the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Romney better understands how and why entrepreneurs and employers decide to expand and add jobs. He's more likely to get the private-sector going strong again.
Romney displayed reasonableness and smarts during the debates. And his view on the most pressing foreign policy question — Iran — is similar to his opponent's.
Yes, Romney did his share of flip-flopping and pandering during the GOP primary to get past stubborn party stalwarts. Yes, Romney's talk of repealing the Affordable Care Act and boosting military spending are unrealistic. We disagree with Romney on a host of social issues, from marriage equality to abortion rights.
This is not an easy endorsement to make.
Obama is the more likeable candidate and inspiring speaker. Obama inherited a mess from his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, who was even more disappointing than Obama has been.
Obama got us out of Iraq. He pressured public schools to reform. He gave the final order that got Osama bin Laden.
But this election is about jobs, the slow economy and Washington's dysfunction. Our leaders can't even pass a budget, much less stabilize soaring debt that's burdening our children and grandchildren.
Obama failed to embrace his own commission's bipartisan debt deal. Ryan, serving on the commission, similarly balked at the solid and comprehensive agreement.
But Obama is the president. The buck stops with him. This is now Obama's economy, even though the GOP shares in the blame for partisan games.
It was Obama and his fellow Democrats who went it alone on health care, making subsequent deals even harder to find. It was Obama who too often let Congress steer the ship in circles. It still is Obama who hasn't laid out a clear vision for the next four years.
We endorsed Obama for change last time around. Now we're endorsing change again: Mitt Romney.
That's what Obama delivered.
Four more years of that?
No way.
Want REAL change?
Vote Romney.
