Don't remember NYT doing this in the past. I think they can't stand either Rudy or Romney, saw that their guy didn't so well tonite, so chose this moment to help prop him up.
They often (not always) endorse candidates from each party in the primaries - they will only endorse one in the general election.
Right... the MSM is pushing McCain to the max. They were hoping Huckabee would “take off” (based on their pushing him, of course), but when they realized that probably wouldn’t happen, McCain was the 2nd best choice, since EITHER of them will get creamed by the Clintons.
The ranting moonbat aside, that leaves Romney and Rudy - both of whom were attacked mercilessly by the “impartial moderators” at MSNBC. Given the candidates that are left, I think a Romney/Guiliani ticket would be the RATS’ worst nightmare... which, of course, means it’s our best choice (out of what we have to work with, of course!).
If this is a new policy (it was for other papers around the country and surpise! McCain was the beneficiary) I see no way that this assists McCain in Florida's closed Republican Primary. It also is prime material for Romney to use in stump speeches ("I'm proud that I didn't get endorsed...by the NYT." It's a'comin'.