Posted on 10/12/2008 10:57:54 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Barack Obama picked up at least eight newspaper endorsements this weekend, including four in swing states Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri. John McCain, as far as we know, gained none.
The Wisconsin State Journal had backed Bush in 2004. The St. Louis daily called his opponent, John McCain, "the incredible shrinking man" who had made a horrific pick for his running mate.
Backing Obama: In Ohio, The Blade in Toledo and the Dayton Daily News; the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Tennessean of Nashville, the Wisconsin State Journal and in California the Fresno Bee and The Sun of San Bernardino.
E&P is charting every endorsement. So far Obama leads by a 17-9 margin with at least 300 to go. Send us any pick you see, to: gmitchell@editorandpublisher.com
For more, and links, go to our new blog: The E&P Pub
Here are excerpts from some of the papers.
POST-DISPATCH:
Over the past nine months, Mr. Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has emerged as the only truly transformative candidate in the race. In the crucible that is a presidential campaign, his intellect, his temperament and equanimity under pressure consistently have been impressive. He has surrounded himself with smart, capable advisers who have helped him refine thorough, nuanced policy positions.
In a word, Mr. Obama has been presidential.
Meanwhile, Mr. McCain, the senior senator from Arizona, became the incredible shrinking man. He shrank from his principled stands in favor of a humane immigration policy. He shrank from his universalcondemnation of torture and his condemnation of the politics of smear.
He even shrank from his own campaign slogan, "County First," by selecting the least qualified running mate since the Swedenborgian shipbuilder Arthur Sewall ran as William Jennings Bryan's No. 2 in 1896.
In making political endorsements, this editorial page is guided first by the principles espoused by Joseph Pulitzer in The Post-Dispatch Platform printed daily at the top of this page. Then we consider questions of character, life experience and intellect, as well as specific policy and issue positions. Each member of the editorial board weighs in.
On all counts, the consensus was clear: Barack Obama of Illinois should be the next president of the United States....
John McCain has served his country well, but in the end, he may have wanted the presidency a little too much, so much that he has sacrificed some of the principles that made him a heroic figure in war and in peace. In every way possible, he has earned the right to retire.
Finally, only at this late point do we note that Barack Obama is an African-American. Because of who he is and how he has run his campaign, that fact has become almost incidental to most Americans. Instead, his countrymen are weighing his talents, his values and his beliefs, judging him not by the color of his skin, but the content of his character.
That says something profound and good — about him as a candidate and about us as a nation.
STATE JOURNAL:
America is at a pivotal point in its history — a difficult time that demands talented leadership to renew our nation's spirit and pull us together to meet the incredible challenges ahead.
The right leader for the time is Barack Obama.
The Wisconsin State Journal endorses the dynamic and youthful senator from Illinois for president.
Far more than his opponent, Obama represents a new direction. He has shown he can inspire and lead people to action. And his relatively short time in corrupt, self-absorbed, terribly-failed Washington, D.C., may actually be a key strength. Obama is not stuck in the status quo of the Capitol crowd or its long-failed Congress.
Obama doesn't just give pretty speeches. He speaks to people's best instincts, encouraging them to shine.
Obama is best-equipped this election to make America feel good about itself again. That's a powerful feeling — one that could go a long way toward invigorating our economy and national sense of purpose.
Obama is convincing in his call for a new kind of politics in Washington. His life story and history-making bid for the White House also have forced the rest of the world to view America in a new and more positive way.
An Obama presidency will immediately give America more clout and credibility around the globe. It will immediately win over and win back allies and friends.
As much as other nations may fear American power and influence, they fear our potential decline even more.
American must not decline. America must remain a beacon of freedom, democracy, innovation and prosperity.
And that's why voting for the first-term senator is worth the risk.
THE BLADE of Toledo:
AS THE nation wavers precariously at the precipice of economic ruin, American voters must decide who has the knowledge, steadiness, judgment, and inspirational qualities to lead us effectively out of that morass, for the next four years and beyond.
For guidance in arriving at this momentous decision, the election of the next president of the United States, we can look to the sober lessons of history. Without exaggeration, the country faces a transformational election on Nov. 4, not unlike that of 1932, which prefaced Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal and a long slog out of the Great Depresssion....
We believe the person best equipped by temperament and intellect to firmly grasp the reins of government and guide it safely forward in these uncertain times is Barack Obama.
Like another member of Congress from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Senator Obama initially rose to prominence on the strength of soaring oratory. Over the past 18 months of the grueling campaign, his background has been thoroughly inspected and dissected by the press and a political opposition dedicated to keeping him from the White House.
The man who has emerged is young (47) but well-educated and accomplished, both as a state legislator and a member of the United States Senate. He is somewhat professorial but not stodgy, and in our direct contact with him he proved to be one of few politicians at his level with the capacity to actually listen to others and appreciate what they have to say.
During the campaign, Senator Obama also has shown himself to possess steely self-control, a single-minded focus, and endearing good humor in the face of specious attacks on everything from his biracial origin to his boyhood upbringing to his acquaintances during his political career in rough-and-tumble Chicago.
His calm and deliberate demeanor is particularly important because steadiness at the helm of government will be necessary to extricate the United States from its current crisis of confidence, both in politics and economics...
America needs a new direction, not just because the current administration's economic policies - not to mention its war-bound foreign policies - have contributed to our current problems, but because we have lost our way in terms of the proper relationship between government and the people and, more importantly, the responsibility we owe each other. Americans who view the future with optimism do not - even in the face of terrorism - give up the basic freedoms our revolutionary forefathers died to secure.
Sen. John McCain, by nature, has shown himself to be incapable of providing the American people with an optimistic vision of the future. Firmly rooted in the failed politics and policies of the past, he cannot guide us on a path he does not see.
Senator Obama already has demonstrated that he is a man of the future in the way he has inspired a new generation of voters to become involved in the political process and to actively strive for a better tomorrow.
As a president from another era suggested, Americans should ask themselves: Am I better off than I was eight years ago? Four years ago? The answer is obvious and, therefore, the option on Nov. 4 is clear.
Historically, Ohio has had a critical role in presidential elections and appears poised once again to be a key in deciding who sits in the Oval Office for the next four years. This is an awesome responsibility, and one that cannot be taken lightly. For the future of Ohio and America, there is only one reasonable choice for president: Barack Obama.
who had made a horrific pick for his running mate
How dare John McCain energize the conservative base! Doesn’t he know the Messiah is running??!!
What is a “newspaper”?
did one of these jokers say barry soetore was accomplished?...what crap....
ONWARD TO THE WHITE HOUSE JOHN MCCAIN AND SARAH PALIN!
You mean newspapers that kill a forest a day to print capitalistic ads.
I don’t think it matters who they endorse. Most liberals can’t read.
I was checking obama’s sponsored legislation the other day on the US Senate site. NOT A SINGLE piece of sponsored legislation has made it into law. There were too many to see if any of his sponsors had been republicans. I am guessing not.
They are part of the dying/lying media. To help make them extinct do what you can here:
The website needs freeper help posting information now!
“The St. Louis daily called his opponent, John McCain, “the incredible shrinking man” who had made a horrific pick for his running mate.”
######
That the clueless propagandists at the St. Louis Post Disgrace labeled Governor Palin as a “horrific pick” merely confirms their already established perversions and distorted view of the world. It also cements my belief that she is not only a rising star on the currently disabled political right, but a major threat to the future plans of the socialist, secular elites.
I have a roll of toilet paper here that also endorses Obama-Biden.
And it’s actually worth MORE than it’s newsprint cousins.
Not only that, but top of what?
These liberal rags are loosing readership Obama will BAIL THEM OUT!
The entire media has endorsed Obama since the primaries in every story written.
Yep, picking the most popular governor in American who has a list of accomplishments is horrific. How laughable.
I didn't think there was such a thing.
If my local paper (which I’ve had delivered for years) supports Obama, I immediately cancel my subscription. The NY Post is the only other paper I read.
What the hell are newspapers doing endorsing any candidate??
This is worse than seperation of church and state (or lack thereof) because these people filter the information about our government.
If newspapers say they are un-biased then how can they endorse any candidate? When they endorse then they become biased against the other candidate ....
If newspapers say they are un-biased then how can they endorse any candidate? When they endorse then they become biased against the other candidate ....
“Newspapers” are good for puppy training, lining bird cages, and wrapping dead fish.
I don’t subscribe, but I buy a couple papers a week; usually USA Today and a local. Honestly, I wouldn’t feel that much better if they endorsed McCain. I just don’t care anymore.
Wrong!
“Newspapers” are good for bird training, lining fish cages, and wrapping dead puppies.
Other than the classifieds these people and their product are irrelevant. I have not subscribed to one for many years.
They can pontificate all they want - they no longer matter.
My opinion: Toledo is really struggling economically and is a Dem stronghold. Dayton - I think the GOP is taking big hits there because of the emails going around about McCain causing DHL in Wilmington to sell out, costing 6000-10,000 jobs depending upon the email.
I would expect Cleveland, Youngstown, and Akron-Canton to all go for 0bama. Columbus - not sure because of Strickland & Coleman. Since the city is split, the Dispatch might tip their hat to 0bama. Cincy - McCain. Rural southeastern smaller papers will probably all go for McCain. Small papers close to typical bitter country states (IN, PA & WV), probably McCain.
I imagine this will be exactly like the Ohio primaries: The cities went for 0bama, the rural areas went for Hillary. How much of the rural areas will actually go for 0bama, well, nobody will know until after the election. It’s impossible to gauge accurately because people have clammed up.
“......capable advisers who have helped him refine thorough, nuanced policy positions.”
In other words BS artists who make him sound centrist or even conservative. Because that is the ONLY way he could even come close to winning!
Soft tortilla shells are good for wrapping dead puppies.
What exactly is the purpose of Editor & Publisher, other than cheerleading for leftist causes? I have yet to see an article by them that wasn’t advancing a Democrat or some aspect of the liberal agenda. I assume they have no other purpose.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution printed them, and then I'd know who to vote against.
The Raleigh News and Observer printed them, and then I'd know who to vote against.
I don't bother reading the Philadelphia papers, but I know who to vote against.
Dude, that’s pretty gross!
Newsflash for Editor & Publisher: the poll gap is narrowing. Maybe if enough abysmal and dying newspapers endorse Obama, McCain will take the lead.
I have always said that the loss of objectivity for newspapers came when they began endorsing candidates. It just makes sense that they would toss out every pretense of objective reporting in order to justify their choices. And by the way, who is calling the Dayton Daily a "top" newspaper? That is simply laughable.
Tennessean is my local rag. They’d endorse Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot or Castro as long as they’re running on the Democrat label. Looks like they just did.
After the election, just pull the door open enough to squirt a few ounces of kerosine in...you know the rest. They smoke and stink. They are outside every dognut shop I have seen. The F.D. will laugh at this prank. You know, use the axe to break in and CO2 to put it out. And they get coffees and dognuts for the effort!
Notes from the bad old days. Or, were they good old days?
The largest paper in NJ, the (Newark) Star Ledger (and its sister publication, the Trenton Times) have been teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for the past two years, and would fold were it not for the Newhouse family throwing their trust fund dollars to keep them afloat.
Dayton Daily News was a bad joke the whole time I grew up in Ohio. No way McCain loses Ohio because the rural areas will vote in big numbers for McCain. I grew up in a Republican County north of Dayton. I still remember the race riots of Dayton when I was growing up. To this day if I am back for a visit, I will not get off an exist going west of I-75 downtown — not going to happen.
My parents canceled the Dayton Daily News every Presidential election year and wouldn’t take it again for six months when they offered it free for a month.
oooh whee, this sure does change my mind. LOL
Yeah, at least the toilet paper has a use.
Which is why I don’t subscribe to them ... not even going to their websites .....
Which is why I don’t subscribe to them ... not even going to their websites .....
Corn or wheat, they're quite a treat!
With melted cheese, they're sure to please!
I use newspapers to start charcoal in my chimney. You mean people actually read them?
Here's a little something he introduced when he was an Illinois State Senator:
90th General Assembly
Summary of SR0110
Legislation:
Senate Sponsors: OBAMA.
Short description: 11/1/97-ISLAMIC COMMUNITY DAY
Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Declares November 1, 1997 to be South Shore Islamic Community Center Day.
Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE
Last action date: 99-01-12
Location: Senate
Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY
You forgot your /sarc at the end....
It’s a messy, space consuming thing that comes every Sunday [and apparently other days, too] and it contains 40-50% off coupons for the A.C. Moore/Michaels Arts & Crafts stores.
Other than those 2 coupons, I haven’t figured out what they’re good for.
You are both horrible, *horrible* men.
;]
Well, that's a resounding declaration for patriotic, level-headed Americans, to vote for the other guy.
The MSM do know that they are treated as a laughingstock across much of the American populace, don't they?
What took them so long?? If they were for the truth they would have endorsed once he stole the election from Harpy.
Pray for W, Palin/McCain and Our Troops
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