Opinion

Republican newspapers put civic duty over politics

A Gazette editorial from the Charleston Gazette-Mail

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Stunningly, some major Republican U.S. newspapers are breaking tradition and endorsing Democrat Hillary Clinton for president. For example, Arizona’s right-wing paper declared:

“Since The Arizona Republic began publication in 1890, we have never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. Never.” But it said, “for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat.”

It explained that the presidency requires “a steady hand, a cool head and the ability to think clearly before acting. Hillary Clinton understands this. Donald Trump does not. Clinton has the temperament and experience to be president. Donald Trump does not. Clinton knows how to compromise and to lead with intelligence, decorum and perspective.”

Scornfully, the Republic added:

“Trump responds to criticism with the petulance of verbal spit wads. That’s beneath our national dignity. When the president of the United States speaks, the world expects substance. Not a blistering tweet.”

 Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s large newspaper declared:

“The Enquirer has supported Republicans for president for almost a century — a tradition this editorial board doesn’t take lightly. But this is not a traditional race, and these are not traditional times. Our country needs calm, thoughtful leadership … . We need a leader who will bring out the best in all Americans, not the worst. That’s why there is only one choice when we elect a president in November: Hillary Clinton.”

And The Dallas Morning News said:

“This newspaper has not recommended a Democrat for the nation’s highest office since before World War II. [However] resume vs. resume, judgment vs. judgment, this election is no contest.”

It said Trump’s “serial shifts on fundamental issues reveal an astounding absence of preparedness. And his improvisational insults and midnight tweets exhibit a dangerous lack of judgment and impulse control.” The big Texas newspaper said only Clinton “deserves your vote.”

We can’t recall any previous election when powerful Republican newspapers renounced their party’s nominee.

See more from the Charleston Gazette-Mail. 

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