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September 5, 2008 9:42:47 PM CDT

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Scribe to Papers: Stop Endorsing

Posted Jan 31, 08 8:19 AM CST in Politics 

(Newser) – Newspapers should stop endorsing candidates, Philadelphia Daily News blogger Will Bunch writes, because the practice makes editorial pages look disingenuous. Most papers have been stepping up with one nod to a Democrat and another to a Republican, he notes; what could be more ridiculous than supporting Barack Obama and John McCain—whose policies are diametrically opposed—in the same breath?

But it’s not just the dishonesty of supporting both parties that galls Bunch: He says being a partisan for any politician means you’ll “look for an excuse that might condone the very same behavior” you would “condemn in someone else.” Instead of reflexively picking the most centrist candidates, editorial pages should run “fair and honest” critiques—then let the voters decide.

Source Attytood

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The Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls mix on stage during a break in between the televised Republican and Democratic presidential debates at Saint Anselm College Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 in...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. boards his charter plane in Miami, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, the morning after his Florida Republican Presidential Primary victory. (AP Photo/Charles...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., applauds Caroline Kennedy during his campaign stop in Denver, Colo., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a break between the televised Republican presidential debate and the Democratic presidential debate at Saint Anselm...   (Associated Press)
Signs for Republican Presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain R- Ariz. and Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill. are posted in the snow in Manchester, N.H. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008 during...   (Associated Press)
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Barack Obama  • John McCain  • media  • endorsement  • newspaper  • newspaper editorials


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