You can't support Obama AND McCain: It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing candidates

[babylonsister]

You can't support Obama AND McCain: It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing candidates



When it comes to their political positions, even someone as near-sighted as Mr. Magoo could see the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain. But just in case, let's quickly review the obvious.

Barack Obama was against invading Iraq in 2002 -- he called it a "dumb war" -- and has sponsored legislation to begin withdrawing the troops that are there now. John McCain supported the war from Day One and called one recent non-binding resolution to withdraw troops "a vote of no confidence" in the U.S. military. Obama has been an unwavering percent supporter of abortion rights his entire career, with an 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood, while McCain has a 0 percent rating from NARAL and in February of last year called for overturning Roe v. Wade. McCain supports school vouchers, while Obama opposes them. Obama voted to reauthorize the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, while McCain voted against it.

You want more? McCain is vehemently opposed to a universal health care plan, while Obama supports one. Obama supports Net neutrality, while McCain has been a foe. Sure, you can point to areas where they agree -- on some key immigration issues or the estate tax, to name two -- but by and large there is a huge gap. Consider this: Obama is rated 77 percent "liberal" on social issues, while McCain has a positive 83 percent rating from the Christian Coalition.

Why go through this drill? To show that you shouldn't be going around expressing any kind of simultaneous support for both Obama (or Hillary Clinton, whose positions on many issues are similar) AND John McCain to get a crack at becoming the 44th president of the United States unless a) You truly believe that issues and the core political ideals that underlie them are virtually irrelevant, that the only thing that matters when you sit in the Oval Office is some objective definition of "character" and a willingness to seek the mushy middle ground or b) you are a clinically diagnosed schizophrenic off your medication.

Take your pick, but in recent days many of America's best and brightest newspapers have done exactly that, telling their readers why Democrats should want Obama or Clinton to be POTUS and then turning around and explaining -- often on the same patch of dead-tree real estate -- why GOPers should back McCain. Newspaper publishers will tell you that political endorsements are a sign of boldness, taking a strong stand and participating in civic life just as they hope their readers will do.

more...

http://www.attytood.com/2008/01/you_cant_support_obama_and_mcc.html

[sandnsea]

1. Those are the best choices in each party

It's called objectivity. I don't understand why people can't look at the principles of the Republican Party and see that John McCain best represents those principles, and then acknowledge that.

In fact, if people can't do that, then they are seriously deficient in thinking skills and need to practice viewing the world through somebody else's eyes.

[Tarc]

2. What an utterly nonsensical post.

There's two parties running candidates, therefore two endorsements of who they feel to be the best choices for their respective parties. That doesn't mean that there should be a compare and contrast between the two.

When the general election rolls around, they will reassess and pick the one of the two possibilities that they feel are best. There's really not much more to it than that.

[billbuckhead]

3. Big corporate media is critical to stage managing the election

to get the candidate the powers to be want.

[benEzra]

7. Most definitely. (n/t)

[CherylK]

8. That is true n/t

[LynneSin]

4. Remember there is usally more than 1 editorial writer per paper

and for larger newspapers it's easy to endorse one from each party for the primaries

[stillcool]

5. delete.

[Demeter]

6. The Local Fishwrap Only Endorsed Bush (and circulation dopped by 2/3rds)

So the lesson is, don't be partisan, especially, don't go for the GOP in a Democratic stronghold with the highest unemployment in the nation!