The New York Times is reporting that The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times (which last endorsed in 1972) and The Chicago Tribune (in its first-ever Democratic endorsement) have or will be endorsing Barack Obama for President.

[N]one of those statements of support was as surprising as that of the Tribune, whose early leaders helped found the Republican Party and aided Abraham Lincoln in securing the Republican nomination for president in 1860.

In its endorsement, The Chicago Tribune noted that it was breaking with a long tradition. But it justified the shift by citing what it called Mr. Obama's "honor, grace and civility" under pressure and criticizing Mr. McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, which it described as a failure of judgment in which Mr. McCain put his campaign ahead of the country's needs.

"We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions," the newspaper said of Mr. Obama. "He is ready."

Previous Comments

ID

139337

Comment

Memphis' Commercial Appeal alo endorsed Obama this week. The Tribune one is huge; it hadn't endorsed a Democrat since 1847! Maybe it finally realized that the current Republican Party is no longer the "party of Lincoln."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-18T08:06:09-06:00

ID

139338

Comment

More endorsements today from daily newspapers, including the Kansas City Star, Denver Post and Salt Lake Tribune, which endorsed Bush in 2004. From Salt Lake Tribune: [O]ut of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency. Still, we have compelling reasons for endorsing Obama on his merits alone. Under the most intense scrutiny and attacks from both parties, Obama has shown the temperament, judgment, intellect and political acumen that are essential in a president that would lead the United States out of the crises created by President Bush, a complicit Congress and our own apathy.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-18T08:27:27-06:00

ID

139339

Comment

More Salt Lake: On tax policy, Obama would sensibly increase taxes for individuals making more than $250,000 a year, while cutting taxes for everyone else. He also would send money to the states for public works improvements that would generate jobs. His intent to increase the capital gains tax, however, is foolhardy while businesses struggle to weather the economic meltdown. McCain would cut taxes for people in all income brackets, as well as mandate big reductions in corporate income taxes. It is a trickle-down plan that would do little to reduce the deficit. McCain's foreign policy objectives virtually replicate Bush's disastrous course. His disdain for diplomacy is troubling, and his faith in eventual U.S. "victory" in Iraq is ill-defined. We simply cannot afford perpetual war. Obama knows this. And his nuanced approach would help America recover it's global prestige.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-18T08:28:28-06:00

ID

139411

Comment

Another endorsement for Obama from a "conservative" newspaper, the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle endorsing Obama is very significant, since it had not endorsed a Democrat since Texan LBJ. Not to mention it's in W's backyard. I also read somewhere that Bill F. Buckley's son is backing Obama.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-10-20T14:49:18-06:00

ID

139424

Comment

Today, Obama is leading in newspaper endorsements The GAnnett Blog reports that, so far, all Gannett paper endorsements have gone to Obama. Ledger hasn't endorsed, yet. Bet they're pulling their hair out over this one; how do you not endorse Sarah Palin if you believe that all Mississippians (with money, anyway) support the vicious, racist campaign she's been pushing. McCain, too. Of course, they did endorse Bush in 2004 (Lord, who would do that?!?), as well as Frank Melton for mayor. So they'll probably wimp out and go for McCain.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-20T16:57:19-06:00

ID

139425

Comment

Buckley's son, Christopher, endorsed Obama—and got booted from National Review. Good for him for doing the right thing. Also, this is off-topic, but speaking of Gannett, it looks like there may be more layoffs on the horizon soon. I hear morale over there is in the toilet.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-10-20T16:59:01-06:00