In the last four years, Gov. Jim Doyle has shown what a difference a committed, competent governor can make.

Faced with an enormous budget problem when he took office in 2003, Doyle has put the state on much better financial footing without taking the east way out by cutting aid to local governments.  That “solution,” advocated by his predecessor, would have solved a big part of the state’s budget problems to local governments and local property taxpayers.  Doyle avoided making significant cuts in school aid.  The governor was creative – a little too creative at times, especially with his use of the partial veto in the state budget – but he was also serious about cutting state jobs (he claims 4,000 positions were eliminated) and selling off eight planes and 1,000 state vehicles.  He was serious, too, about not raising taxes.  In face, some business taxes have been cut.  All things considered, Doyle has to be given good marks as a steward of the state’s finances. 

The other most noteworthy aspect of Doyle’s administration is the number of times has used this veto.  Both houses of the Legislature have been dominated by Republicans who have been more interested in passing symbolic legislation than in actually solving problems.  These bills sometimes create nice issues for the next election campaign, but they don’t do much for improving the welfare of Wisconsin residents.  Doyle vetoed the voter ID bill three times.  In all, he issued 54 vetoes, and if he had followed our advice, he would have issued even more.  Doyle stood in the doorway, preventing a wrong headed Legislature from enacting its agenda, and Wisconsin is better off for his efforts.

Republican challenger Mark Green, a four-term congressman from Green Bay and former state representative, has criticized many of Doyle’s vetoes.  Green’s campaign statements make it clear that he is much more in step with the agenda of the Legislature’s Republican leaders.

Both these men are articulate and well qualified for the job.

They sometimes bring up the same issues – education, job creation, making college affordable – but they have different approaches to the solutions.

We much prefer Jim Doyle’s approach.  We believe he reflects the views of the majority of the state’s residents, and we urge voters to support him on Tuesday.