PORTLAND (AP) – The Maine Sunday Telegram, awarding both George W. Bush and John Kerry high marks for public service and leadership while giving both of their campaigns poor grades for content, has endorsed Kerry for president.

“Each man has an impressive record of public service. Though neither man is without flaw, each is an established leader who can be counted upon to do his best to protect the nation and see to the well-being of its citizens,” the newspaper said Sunday.

“Despite the best efforts of the campaigns to do otherwise, what sets these men apart is not their qualifications to be president, but their positions on the issues. Bush and Kerry offer decidedly different visions for the country.

“It is on this basis that the candidates are best judged, and it is because we believe Kerry has, on the whole, the better plan for America that we endorse him for president of the United States.”

Criticizing “a campaign dominated not by ideas, but demonization,” the newspaper expressed preference for a Kerry “pledge” to make U.S. foreign policy “less centered on Iraq.”

The paper also said it favored the Massachusetts Democrat’s approaches to fiscal issues, health care, education, energy and environmental policy.

President Bush was credited in the Sunday editorial for “his worthy efforts at leading the nation through some very difficult times.”

But, the newspaper added, “while Bush the man has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, many of the policies he has pursued have failed.”

The Maine Sunday Telegram and Portland Press Herald, along with the Kennebec Journal, Central Maine Morning Sentinel and Coastal Journal, are owned by Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc., a division of the Seattle Times Company.

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