In 2010, the Plain-Dealer apparently wants to mitigate the damage caused by their risky presidential choice by sending a Republican Senator to Washington. They've endorsed former Bush official Rob Portman for US Senate, spurning Cleveland native Lee Fisher (D):
One of the state's most important contests this fall turns out to be an easy call: Rob Portman ought to be Ohio's next U.S. senator.
Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Portman's Democratic opponent in the contest to replace the retiring George Voinovich, is a talented and smart public servant who's long appeared to have a clear compass about Northeast Ohio's needs and the state's economic development agenda in general. Yet after listening to both candidates for months now and watching how each man has conducted his campaign, there is no doubt that Republican Portman, 54, is better prepared to represent these interests as well as to tackle the weighty national issues that will come before the Senate.
An "easy call"...ouch.
For what it's worth, the paper also gave Republican Governor candidate John Kasich its nod of approval.