How Bush lost Wisconsin -- again

Fourteen months after President George W. Bush was re-elected without carrying Wisconsin, five men who worked for the Kerry-Edwards campaign, including the sons of two prominent Milwaukee politicians, go on trial today on felony counts of vandalism in the tire-slashing of more than 20 vehicles rented by Republican campaigners.

What are we to make of that first paragraph in today's Journal Sentinel?

The vandalism was despicable. If there are convictions, there should be tough sentences that send a clear message this kind of lawlessness and disregard for the rules of fair play won't be tolerated.

But are we supposed to conclude that George W. Bush lost Wisconsin because of this misguided act?

Hardly cause and effect. The newspaper should know better. Wisconsin hasn't voted Republican for president since 1984, and even Daddy Bush lost the state to Michael Dukakis, who won almost nowhere. It's gotten closer here, but Bush clearly lost, with or without the help of tire-slashers.

Let's condemn what happened without suggesting it was part of some left-wing conspiracy to steal the election. Can we agree on that?