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.

[bwteim]

Don't get too close, see more recent photo at top. That's what a year or two can do to some folks... Yep, same lady

[hershey]

Maybe the Tampa paper will feel better if Kerry wins and then Florida, among other states, gets blown up by Muslim terrorists, Only a few states, though, since Kerry will see to it that they go back to being just a nuisance.

[hershey]

Frankly, this might well backfire. Many Jews have retired to Florida and certainly don't think terrorism has been a mere nuisance, esp. in Israel. How they could vote for Kerry is beyond imagining.

[spinestein]

"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."

Apparently they've decided to make their new liberal agenda a higher priority than their revenues, which will soon be declining.

[Diddle E. Squat]

See post #12, this morning CNN is trumpeting the DNC talking points of "Longtime GOP paper withholds endorsement" angle with zero mention of the recent editorial staff change.

[Miss Marple]

We need to get this information to the talk shows. I will call my local radio station now.

[cwd26]

I said I was voting for Bush... I encourage everyone to, for the same reasons I am. But assuming for a second that this paper was a completely unbiased observer (of course, it isn't), then I can see their point in not endorsing either of them. That's all I was saying.