The San Francisco Chronicle today became the latest major newspaper to endorse the governor for re-election, saying in its endorsement editorial, “Overall, he’s on the right course.” Of his opponent, the Chronicle observed:

Angelides … has not demonstrated the leadership traits required to build coalitions that can overcome the egos, ambition and partisan rivalries that stand in the way of progress in Sacramento … In his meeting with us, many of his answers gave no indication that he either heard or cared about the question — time after time, he defaulted to his wind-up stump monologues about education or closing tax loopholes.

The Chronicle’s endorsement follows on endorsements of the governor by the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee this weekend. Opinion columnists and bloggers for both papers wrote after the Chronicle’s endorsement that the Times and the Bee found Angelides unworthy of endorsement for reasons similar to those outlined in the Chronicle editorial.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has also endorsed Schwarzenegger.

In a fairly significant coup for the Democratic candidate, the right-leaning San Diego Union-Tribune has endorsed Jerry Brown for attorney general. The paper seems as surprised by its own endorsement as most anybody else would be:

Twenty years ago, it would have been hard to imagine this editorial page endorsing Democrat Jerry Brown for statewide office. His two terms as governor, 1975-1983, were more notable for quirkiness and liberalism than substantive achievements. But if all one were to know of Brown was his record the past eight years as Oakland mayor, he would seem the model of a pragmatic, capable centrist – someone who sees economic revitalization, not government programs, as key to his city’s quality of life; an advocate of charter schools and more aggressive policing; and a frequent foe of public employee unions.

By contrast, the background of his Republican opponent – state Sen. Chuck Poochigian – is uninspiring. It is one thing to be a successful attorney in Fresno private practice, or a fairly effective legislator. It is another to be a strong leader of the Attorney General’s Office …

The Union-Tribune also endorsed State Senator Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) for lieutenant governor over John Garamendi.