Major news publications endorse all but Trump

Lucy O'Brien | Contributing Writer

Twenty of the most circulated newspapers in the country have made endorsements of presidential candidates in the 2016 election as of Oct. 5, and 17 of those endorsements are for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Three of those publications endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. During this general election season, Republican nominee Donald Trump has received no endorsements from any of the 46 major publications that have weighed in. The New York Times officially endorsed Clinton on Sept. 24 in an article titled “Hillary Clinton for President,” published by the entire editorial board.

Our endorsement is rooted in respect for her intellect, experience and courage,” they said.

They focused largely on why Clinton would be a good president and avoided anti-Trump sentiments, though the board also published “Why Donald Trump Should Not Be President” the following day. The endorsement article discussed Clinton’s experience and policy position throughout the years.

“It shows a determined leader intent on creating opportunity for struggling Americans at a time of economic upheaval and on ensuring that the United States remains a force for good in an often brutal world,” they said.

The New York Times has a 156-year history of endorsing presidential candidates, beginning with Abraham Lincoln in 1860. It typically endorses nominees from the Democratic party, but has endorsed 12 Republicans. It endorses one candidate every four years.

In the 2016 race, Clinton has received endorsements from not only historically Democratic publications, but also from historically conservative ones. Four newspapers with Republican editorial boards have endorsed the Democratic candidate, including The Dallas Morning News, The Cincinnati Enquirer, and The Houston Chronicle. The Arizona Republic endorsed her on Sept. 27.

“Since The Arizona Republic began publication in 1890, we have never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. Never. This reflects a deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles,” their editorial board said in the endorsement article. “The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified.”

Five daily newspapers have endorsed Johnson, and all five have typically endorsed Republican candidates. The Chicago Tribune, which is one of the 10 largest newspapers in the country, had not endorsed a non-Republican candidate until Chicago-citizen Barack Obama ran in 2008 according to The Washington Post. It endorsed Johnson on Sept. 30.

“With that demand for a principled president paramount, we turn to the candidate we can recommend,” the editorial board wrote. “One party has two moderate Republicans — veteran governors who successfully led Democratic states — atop its ticket. Libertarians Gary Johnson of New Mexico and running mate William Weld of Massachusetts are agile, practical and, unlike the major-party candidates, experienced at managing governments.”

Trump has received no endorsements during the general election, however he was endorsed by four major publications during the primary season. The New York Post, The New York Observer, The Santa Barbara News-Press, and The National Enquirer endorsed him for the Republican nomination. The National Enquirer had never endorsed a presidential candidate before, and published an article headlined “Trump Must Be President” on March 8.

During the primary season, Republicans John Kasich and Marco Rubio received more than double the endorsements Trump did. He had the same amount of endorsements as Jeb Bush and received more than Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and Chris Christie. The San Diego Union-Tribune endorsed Ronald Reagan for the 2016 Republican nomination despite his death in 2004.

Clinton received 84 newspaper endorsements in the primary race, and Bernie Sanders was endorsed by 19 newspapers.

It is common for newspapers to endorse candidates during the primary season and then endorse nominees after the national conventions. It is less common for newspaper editorial boards to take official stances opposing their disfavored candidate, but that has happened more than once in this election season, including The New York Times’ article claiming Trump is unfit for the presidency.

USA Today broke its 34-year history of remaining neutral on the presidential race. The paper has never “presumed to tell our readers, who have a variety of priorities and values, which choice is best for them.” This year, the editorial board published an article stating, “Trump is unfit for the presidency,” on Sept. 30.

“From the day he declared his candidacy 15 months ago through this week’s first presidential debate, Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents,” the board wrote.

The Washington Post has also not issued an endorsement, but its editorial board published an article headlined “It’s beyond debate that Donald Trump is unfit to be president” on Sept. 25. The New York Times disavowal of Trump was also published on Sept. 25.


Lucy O’Brien, @lucytalks2much