Don't hold this endorsement against Smith. He is the lawyer who challenged the University of Texas program of discrimination in admissions (aka affirmative action) in the Hopwood case and won. He is a rock solid conservative who is a model of judicial restraint and application of the rule of law.
That being the case [as you say], then why is the Startlegram recommending him?
Maybe Smith should write the Startlegram and ask them to withdraw their recommendation. Why? Because now I will need a whole lot more info on this guy before I can vote WITH the Startlegram!