Sarasota Herald Tribune endorses Jim Davis yesterday.

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061022/OPINION/610220681/-1/NEWS0516

Davis for governor
He offers responsible solutions for Florida's problems

Charlie Crist has a reputation as being likable, and the Republican's campaign for Florida governor emphasizes smiling and handshaking. It's a persona that Crist cultivated in running for education commissioner in 2000, attorney general in 2002 and again this year. And Crist certainly wants voters to like him. His commercials and personal appearances are full of promises to cut taxes while increasing spending for schools and teachers and law enforcement, and so on.

But behind the smile and handshakes is the hard fact that Crist can't possibly keep the billions of dollars in promises that he's making. Even if he could, his proposals would just shift the tax burden and expenditures onto local governments. Which is why Republicans in the Florida House, who haven't seen many tax cuts they wouldn't approve, have criticized Crist's proposals.

Jim Davis, the Democratic candidate for governor, may not be as affable as Crist. He comes across as a cool moderate with an earnestness about understanding and discussing difficult problems -- an attitude that strikes some people as wonkish.

But Davis recognizes that Florida has serious problems that require thoughtful and responsible solutions -- problems that can't be wished away with a promise.

<>Crist has been a capable attorney general, but Davis is better equipped to handle the demanding job of leading Florida.

We recommend Jim Davis for governor.