Democrat & Chronicle Endorsement Surprise

Like others in the local community, I was pretty surprised to read the D&C endorsements of both Maggie Brooks and Bill Taylor.

I have always thought that the D&C Editorial Board endorses GOP candidates who appear to be "sure things". That way, they can point to endorsements of Republicans to refute charges of bias. Using that analysis, Maggie was a likely endorsement, since it's fairly clear she will be re-elected. The Taylor-Doorley race appeared close, however. Plus, the paper had taken Taylor to task for what was deemed an unfair  campaign ad.

This leads to one of two conclusions. One, the D&C figures Taylor is going to win so they may as well endorse him. The other is that Doorley's recent comments in the D&C interview and on the Lonsberry show (where she suggested the DA job was a "stepping-stone") pushed some of the D&C editorialists over the edge.

There is one other possibility. The D&C, like all the left-leaning organizations in town, is sick of losing. Maybe they have decided it's time for Joe Morelle to go. They may figure that if Morelle loses the DA seat, on top of all the other Democrat losses he's presided over, he'll be finished as Democrat County Chairman. They may believe that their endorsement will push Taylor over the top and Morelle out the door.

I don't know if that's their plan or if a Taylor win will finish Morelle. But as a Republican, I certainly hope Joe doesn't go!