Argus Leader Editorial Board

We urge you to sit down and make a list before you vote for a candidate for U.S. Senate.

What do you want from your senator?

The Argus Leader Editorial Board did that before discussing our endorsement for U.S. Senate. Our expectations for the position look like this:

1. An individual with a world view. Congress, together with the president, sets the agenda for this country's role as a world leader. Our senator must be able to move beyond parochial concerns and partisan rhetoric and work toward extending American influence wherever it's needed — from fighting Ebola in Africa to promoting democratic government in remote places and protecting innocent people around the globe. We seek someone who can envision our place in the world and help make that vision reality, rather than just offer criticism.

2. A skilled negotiator. Unlike a chief executive, a senator is only as effective as the relationships he can build and the coalitions he fashions. That means working in a bipartisan environment with an open mind. In many cases, compromise is the best route, and a good senator will recognize that.

3. Aspirational goals. He or she is eager to work on legislation to make life better in this country and abroad.

4. An open and honest approach. The senator must be a good communicator, eager to listen. In a world of immediate conversation, this is easier — and more crucial than ever. And of course, our senator must be honest and above board in all of his or her dealings.

Against that backdrop, we measured the candidates in this race.

Mike Rounds has not articulated a world view. In fact, he hasn't given us much of a view at all of his priorities and vision for this country. He has spent this campaign criticizing President Obama and his policies and has made his number one goal blocking or repealing as many of the president's moves as he can. That's not aspirational, and that's certainly not collegial. We don't think it's in the best interest of the majority of South Dakotans who want government leaders to work for solutions to problems. Rounds has a track record of secrecy as governor and during his tenure opposed efforts to make government records and activities more accessible to citizens.

We think he falls short.

Rick Weiland has voiced concerns about the world beyond our state borders. He generally approves of President Obama's moves to forge an international coalition to approach issues in the Middle East and supports U.S. efforts to fight Ebola. His views on opening Medicare to private payers is more liberal, we believe, than most South Dakotans would prefer, and his interest in working across party lines is questionable. Given his very public acrimony with the leaders of the national Democratic Party, we are concerned about his ability to move ideas forward at all if elected. Weiland is a personable candidate, but his main campaign push — fighting against Big Money — seems hard to reconcile given his years of service with former Sen. Tom Daschle. Weiland is an effective communicator, but overall, we don't think he hits the mark, either.

That brings us to the independents in this race. Gordon Howie has taken a one-note campaign approach, focusing almost exclusively on an anti-Rounds message. Howie pushes an extreme conservative agenda that we don't believe is in step with the view of mainstream South Dakota.

And so, we turn to Larry Pressler, a former Republican senator, running as an independent, in a low-key campaign focused on issues and integrity. He has verbalized an international strategy on battling ISIS and fighting Ebola and has serious reservations about sending ground troops into Middle Eastern countries.

He has experience in Congress — 22 years as a South Dakota representative and senator — and recognizes the seismic partisan shift that has occurred in the years since he left office. As an independent, he talks about working with both parties, which he would be in position to do.

He has ideas on programs for veterans, on tax reform and debt reduction and is a good communicator. He has promised to serve just one term.

Pressler certainly does not have all the answers. We realize that as a former office holder, he has a record which reflects votes that contradict some positions he now says he holds. While serving in the Senate, Pressler also was criticized for being aloof and less than engaged in the serious issues of the time.

But we think Pressler's approach and outlook have matured. He professes a middle-of-the-road, moderately conservative political philosophy that we think is in line with the bulk of South Dakotans.

When we use our checklist to evaluate the candidates, Larry Pressler comes out on top.

We urge you to outline your expectations for our next senator. And we think you, too, might decide Pressler is the best fit for South Dakota at this time.

Endorsements

See our picks for other major races @ARGUSLEADER.COM