Tampa newspaper withholds presidential endorsement

AP ^ | 10/17/4

[SmithL]

TAMPA -- In a break with tradition, The Tampa Tribune, a Republican standard-bearer for decades, refused Sunday to endorse anyone for president for the first time since 1964.

The newspaper has solidly supported every Republican presidential nominee since 1952, except for Barry Goldwater, but withheld its endorsement this year, calling the decision "achingly difficult" and blaming shortcomings of both candidates.

Editors instead published an unusual full-page editorial with harsh criticism of the war in Iraq and President Bush's economic policies.

"President Bush told us that he was 'a uniter, not a divider,' but shortly after taking office, his administration took a sharp right turn that has divided this country," the editorial said. The newspaper said it was "deeply disappointed" with Bush on federal spending, the budget deficit and the recession.

[tirednvirginia]

Does the newspaper recommend voters do the same thing - not make a choice?

[onyx]

The "non-endorsement" sounds more like an anti-Bush rant to me.

[Petronski]

"President Bush told us that he was 'a uniter, not a divider,' but shortly after taking office, his administration took a sharp right turn that has divided this country," the editorial said.

That's a lie. I suspect this paper has been taken over by the left.

[MEG33]

We eat our own at times..unfortunately.

[Texas Eagle]

Dear Tampa Tribune,
Stick to running classified ads. We'll take care of the hard issues like who should be President.

[Perdogg]

Bush will still win FLA by 7%.

[MikefromOhio]

The paper was ""deeply disappointed" with Bush on federal spending, the budget deficit and the recession"


What is it going to do? Endorse Peroutka or Badnarik? Get real. Lets not endorse anyone.....what a joke....

[Rokke]

Newspaper endorsements are strictly "old media". Nobody cares anymore.

[soozla]

Evidently the mis-information, which the MSM has tried to force feed to us since Bush's 2000 election, has come around to bite itself in the A$$!!!!

[MEG33]

PLEASE be able to come back here and say "I told you so!"

[PhiKapMom]

I received the following from a friend after hearing about this from them this morning:

Six months ago The Tampa Tribune announced that conservative Editorial Page Editor Edwin Roberts was retiring and being replaced by Rosemary Goudreau who inside sources told me was a liberal brought here from a northern newspaper. She has lived up to her reputation as the paper has been endorsing liberal policies and liberal local candidates.

[Perdogg]

I'll do my best! Ras had Bush 51 to kerry 47 this morning in FLA. I know I saw that!!

[bwteim]

I would think the same, perhaps a new editor/owner? I thought you could always count on the Tampa Tribune to offset the St. Pete Times across the water.

[Diddle E. Squat]

In a break with tradition, The Tampa Tribune, a Republican standard-bearer for decades...."President Bush told us that he was 'a uniter, not a divider,' but shortly after taking office, his administration took a sharp right turn that has divided this country,"

Why do I surmise that what actually happened was that leftist staff moved up into control, or at least into a tie, of the editorial board?

[clintonh8r]

Gee....how nuanced.

[bwteim]

I just read 12 above, it answered your guess.

[MEG33]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1248134/posts
Rasmussen Battleground Polls for 10/17

[Diddle E. Squat]

Thanks for clarifying what I suspected. So in truth this article is another liberal lie. Implying that the paper is 'GOP but not endorsing Bush' without mentioning the mjor ideological change in the editorial staff ideological is tantamount to a lie.

[Petronski]

I won't say 'I knew it.' But the significant, sudden change does seem like a thumb in the eye. Thanks for the info.