Unlikely Newspapers Endorse Obama

[Bob Juch]

AP, WASHINGTON (Oct. 17) - Democrat Barack Obama on Friday won endorsements from two unlikely newspapers -- the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.

While the Tribune is the largest daily in Obama's hometown, the publication hasn't backed a Democrat in its 161-year history. And the Times hasn't endorsed a presidential candidate since 1972. This is also the first time it has ever endorsed a Democrat for president.

In an editorial posted on its Web site, The Tribune said the country needs a president who can lead it through a "perilous time" and restore "a common sense of national purpose." Obama is the best candidate to do that, the editorial board said. "We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions," the Tribune said. "He is ready."

The Times, the country's fourth-largest newspaper, said McCain's campaign had left the candidate "nearly unrecognizable." His selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for running mate was "totally irresponsible," it said."Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory," the Times said. "The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking - if that's the appropriate word - would drive the White House in a McCain presidency."

The Times said the U.S. needs a president who displays grace under pressure, is not prone to volatile gestures and understands the legal foundations of American freedom. "Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be".

[Jeemie]

What a surprise- you opened new threads instead of manning up and addressing the totally ridiculous piece of crap you bombed another thread with.

Should I have expected anything else?

[Weyoun]

Well, I wasn't going to vote for Obama, but then I heard the Tribune, which carried Obama's water during the ridiculously seedy Jack Ryan affair, and the LA Times, which is about as conservative as Mother Jones, decided to endorse him.

Thanks for sharing this important info.

[ToLiveIsToFly]

AP, WASHINGTON (Oct. 17) - Democrat Barack Obama on Friday won endorsements from two unlikely newspapers -- the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.

While the Tribune is the largest daily in Obama's hometown, the publication hasn't backed a Democrat in its 161-year history. And the Times hasn't endorsed a presidential candidate since 1972. This is also the first time it has ever endorsed a Democrat for president.

In an editorial posted on its Web site, The Tribune said the country needs a president who can lead it through a "perilous time" and restore "a common sense of national purpose." Obama is the best candidate to do that, the editorial board said. "We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions," the Tribune said. "He is ready."

The Times, the country's fourth-largest newspaper, said McCain's campaign had left the candidate "nearly unrecognizable." His selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for running mate was "totally irresponsible," it said."Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory," the Times said. "The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking - if that's the appropriate word - would drive the White House in a McCain presidency."

The Times said the U.S. needs a president who displays grace under pressure, is not prone to volatile gestures and understands the legal foundations of American freedom. "Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be".

I know basically nothing about the L.A. Times so I won't comment on that. It's true the Tribune has in the past been considered a conservative paper, and it's true they've never endorsed a Democrat for President before.

But I'd hardly say it's earth-shaking, or a surprise. As the Chicago area has been slowly becoming more liberal (the city's been Democratic forever, but the collar counties have become more so over the last ten years - a Democrat almost won Henry Hyde's old seat 2 years ago, ferchrissake), the paper has been taking more and more moderate stances on the editorial page for years. They've always been favorable to Obama. They've never-really had a hometown candidate to consider endorsing before (even Adlai Stevenson was from Bloomington, 2 hours away). Plus with the new ownership, anything's possible.

So, while of course they made the correct decision and endorsed the better candidate, it's not really the about-face some will paint it to be.