Will Kerry Tronce Dean in Editor Endorsments. Why. Will it Matter?

[WiseMen]

No Editorial Board has endorsed the IOWA front-runners Dean and Gephart. What did Gore and Harkin know that these news papers don’t. So far the score is Kerry 3, Edwards 1, others 0.

There are 25 dailies in IOWA. What do you think the final score will be? Will Kerry loose all the "Politico Beauty Contests" but rout the competition at the editorial board?

Let’s summarize what these Editorial Boards said:

QUAD-CITY TIMES laud’s Kerry’s thoughtfulness and “extraordinary record of service” :

A funny thing about the Iowa caucuses: Candidates spend an inordinate amount of time trying to come across as ordinary guys . . . John Kerry just can’t cut it. He’s not ordinary.
.
He’s extraordinary, in the nicest and most qualitative sense. . . . .
..
All the candidates we met spoke very well. Kerry listens. He ponders questions, asks follow-ups and answers thoughtfully. . .

That quality and an extraordinary record of public service make him the best potential president among the crop of contenders in Iowa.

Iowa City Press-Citizen argues that Democrats should back John Kerry because of the breath of his combined foreign policy and domestic policy experience:

Iraq and foreign policy matters likely will raise the greatest challenges to America in the next two years, not only in terms of potential threats to the United States but in the very philosophy upon which our nation bases its policies and decisions. . . . .

Significant economic issues also will confront the presidency . . . Kerry would encourage job creation through a new manufacturing jobs credit, by investing in new technology and by seeking energy independence in a "race" for alternate and renewable fuels. The latter project, which Kerry compares to the Apollo program, offers the dual potential of finally ending America's dependence on OPEC's mercy while helping the fundamental elements of our economy grow. . . . . .

Io-wa Democrats should let America know that Sen. John Kerry has offered the strongest vision for their party.

The Hawkeye of Burlington says that while Dean is a fresh voice in national politics, Kerry has a much more impressive foreign policy resume:

(Plus) . . his military background is unquestioned.

Kerry .. has demonstrated that he is hungry for the job.

The temptation is to go with the hot candidate. But John Kerry shows greater promise as the Democratic nominee. The choice here is Kerry.

Demoines Register argues John Edwards delivers the best contrast to George Bush:

If Edwards wins the Democratic nomination, voters this fall would have a choice between two men who almost perfectly embody the rival political philosophies in America today. George W. Bush and John Edwards are attractive, likable, energetic. They . . . are polar opposites.

Edwards is from a working-class family, attended public universities, made his fortune representing ordinary people. . . . He tends to conduct positive, optimistic campaigns.

- - - - - - - - - -

So it is John Kerry or John Edwards, so far. What do you think it will be by Caucus Day? Could a flood of editorial endorsements for Kerry make the difference?

[jjmalonejr]

1. Answers

Will Kerry Trounce Dean in Editor Endorsments?
Yes.

Why?
Because he's a better candidate, period. Newspaper editorial page endorsements have a great deal more credibility than political endorsements.

Will it Matter?
I sure hope so, but it's hard to say. This is one crazy race.

[Evanstondem]

12. Because Editorial Boards Like Pompous Windbags

There aren't a lot of Kerry endorsements coming from Congressional Democrats. They actually know him.

[WiseMen]

19. Have you looked at the Cogressional endorsement tally? Surprise?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

20. His Iowa legislative tally is more than Dean and Gep combined

that says a lot too.

[blm]

43. You don't know much about Kerry, do you?

Kerry became unpopular as soon as he hit DC in 85 for investigating and exposing the entrenched powerstructures in both parties that were guilty in BCCI and IranContra. He pissed off the entire establishment and the press went after him with a vengeance unmatched until the Clinton impeachment period. The press labeled him a "conspiracy theory nut" and a "phony" and evrything else they could throw at him. Alot of those old stories still dog him, but he was eventually proven right in his investigations of government corruption.

The corporatist Dems were also not happy that Kerry advocated for the Kyoto Protocol he helped work on for 10 years.

If Kerry WAS the establishment candidate that many of the Dean supporters claim, he would have had them coalesced around him from the beginning. But they didn't. They spread their support around to Gephardt, Lieberman, Edwards and Kerry.

[9119495]

22. Newspapers have more credibility?

My piece of shit daily is a right-wing rag I will not subscribe to--even though I'm a news junkie. Some of these papers you note might be right-wing also. I live in Iowa and I never hear anything good about the press-citizen.

The DM Register is different however. It's a good paper. But the idea that a democrat has less credibility than some right-wing appeasers on an editorial board is ridiculous. Also, Kerry has more state office holders endorsing him here than anyone. Does that mean he sucks because "politicos" back him?

[Philosophy]

2. Newspaper editors are the corporate media

You do the math.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. not every last small town daily

but keep believing that if you must.

[9119495]

23. Check the ownership of the papers.

Ganett owns most of them in Iowa I think.

[jjmalonejr]

4. Aren't all of Dean's endorsements...

...from "Washington Insiders?"

Why is it that newspaper editorial page endorsements are "corporate media" when they don't bow before the altar of Dean?

And why are the "Washington Insiders" who support Dean such great Americans, when the ones running against him are supposedly such sell-outs.

Enlighten me.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Good point, some AFSCME locals flipped off Washington HQ

and endorsed Kerry among others.

[JohnKleeb]

8. We got some AFSCME locals too

[adadem]

14. I thought

those "Washington Insiders" were cockroaches. How does one spell "hypocrite"?

[WiseMen]

39. More like the Publishers - sending down order on general coverage emphasis

[Sensitivity]

40. Looks like many of the state-level officials are also with Kerry. But Majo

majors are with Dean.

Guess Kerry appeals to weaker guys.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

41. so all the firefighters unions represent "weaker guys"

and the legislators who have to carry the day to day burden of making sure Iowa state goverment functions have easy jobs? not to mention they don't understand which candidate will help them carry that load the best?

[Sensitivity]

6. Too bad he didn't hire Trippi. Bad Judgement?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. When you lack substance you need a salesman

one can understand Kerry's unconcern for having a flim flam man.

[WiseMen]

10. Even Substance can do with good sales.

[sandnsea]

11. No way

I wouldn't be voting for Kerry if he'd hired a slime like Trippi.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. Really? But divinity school student Gerry Brown used him

I'm not sure what can be drawn from that connection, but I plead naivety on the matter.

[adadem]

16. Me neither.

Zero integrity.

[angee_is_mad]

9. Good 4 Kerry

But it doesn't manner, but I think he would be a great secretary of state. With Clark as President and Edwards as VP of course.

[BurtWorm]

13. I just sit around and wait for editorial boards to tell me how to vote.

I mean they give us so much when it comes to political reporting, how can anyone not pay attention to the candidates they actually "like."

[NewYorkerfromMass]

17. fortunately Iowa is our most literate state

and people actually read the newspapers there. And I'm sure a lot more than the internet too.

[BurtWorm]

18. Really? And they swallow everything newspapers tell them to?

I thought literate people were able to think for themselves.

[blm]

21. Burt, are you even aware of Kerry's record against government corruption

and his excellent record on the environment, judiciary matters, and his successful efforts to end wars and construct peace agreements for over 30 years?

Why pretend that Kerry doesn't deserve any credit?

[9119495]

25. I don't pretend

he doesn't deserve credit, but why can't my admission that Kerry's record is strong coexist with my view that Dean would be a better president? If you look upthread, it's clear some people will not vote for Dean if he is the nominee. To me, that is rediculously short sighted. Their disgust with Trippi may be a de facto endorsement of Rove if Dean is the nominee and they are NOT the same.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. Dean would not make a better president than Kerry

I don't think you could get a majority of informed people to agree with you on that.

[9119495]

30. But that is why we are having the campaign

--so they can make their case. And only the future could reveal the truth. Who would have thought Truman or Clinton could have been so successful?--yet they were (aside from CLinton's personal stuff). To dismiss Dean out of hand is as inappropriate as one dismissing Kerry as a "patrician fop" and all that other shit that gets thrown his way.

[sandnsea]

29. Dean and Trippi deserve each other

I honestly don't know how many times Dean has to lie, pander, flip-flop, gaffe, waffle, etc., before people see what a disaster he is. Trippi can't make Dean do anything and Dean must agree with Trippi's slimy ways or he'd fire him. Tells me alot.

Dean would be a terrible nominee for the party, all by himself. He isn't taking back the Democratic Party. On the one hand, his wild statements about Saddam and national security issues will kill the party forever. On the other, his abandonment of so many core Democratic values will leave us with absolutely nothing to stand for or run on. He's just a walking disaster all the way around.

[9119495]

31. If your post were true, you'd have a point

but his statements on National Security are right in line with me and many others. Hussein's capture has not made us safer. bin Laden must have a public trial if we are to regain international credibility--the proponderance of evidence will ensure conviction. These are great points to make.

On Health and education, there are few as closely tied to core democratic principles. He did not vote for NCLB as most of the candidates did and will pass a plan that will allow all to receive health care without alienating those who prefer the private market.

[blm]

37. Dean's record on corporate and judiciary matters is TOO rightwing

and more people would know this if they BOTHERED to hold Dean accountable for his actual record of governance. Instead they read his blog releases NOW that he's trying to keep a base from the left, while completely IGNORING his actual record of how he acts when he is in power.

[BurtWorm]

35. There's no doubt that Kerry deserves credit for his excellent record

in the areas you mention. Does he deserve to be president? I'm not convinced. Why doesn't he stay in the Senate where Dems are direly needed? (And maybe learn to be a little more careful about getting fooled so often by Republicans in power.)

PS: Kerry's excellent record is a separate issue from whether newspaper endorsements are really worth all that much. Consider that the vast majority of editors endorsed Bush in the last election, and they lost the bet.

[blm]

38. I dare you to examine Dean's actual record as governor

and his corporate kissy-face and his disregard for civil liberties.

[mouse7]

24. NH Tracking Poll has Kerry drop to tie with Lieberman

Kerry is freefalling. Approaching terminal velocity.

[helleborient]

26. If the media is against Dean, it's good? For Dean, it's corrupt....

Hmmm...I think this was expected.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. Show us your newspaper endorsements

that was the point of the thread- not day to day media coverage and spin and hype.

[helleborient]

36. And my point is the selective opinions about the media...

I've consistently expressed my opinions about the ridiculousness of media conspiracy theories...while Kerry and Kucinich supporters in particular blame their poor showing on media conspiracy.

It would have been great for Dean to get the endorsements, but he didn't.

There never was a media conspiracy...just excuses when Kerry's campaign went sour.

[blm]

32. The CORPORATE media gave Dean the free ride for a year. Smalltown papers

who listened to the ISSUES of the candidates came to a different conclusion about who would make the best nominee and president.

The CORPORATE, NATIONAL media pushed the horserace and the process stories instead of issues, intentionally dumbing down the primary process for Dems. The smalltown papers bothered to talk, listen and examine the candidates.

No surprise to me they like Kerry and Edwards.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

33. The "smalltown" papers must've missed the IWR vote.

That has doomed Kerry and Edwards to footnotes.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

34. "Kerry has a much more impressive foreign policy resume" ???

Does that resume include his cowardly vote for the IWR in the face of the evidence that Iraq posed no imminent threat to the USA and had nothing, nada, zero, to do with 9/11.

"Impressive"? I think not.

[Raya]

42. Get off this nonsense! IWR basicaly supported by all UN security council

The issue was how one used the authorization. Bush went against the whole world with what he did -- including against Gore and Kerry and Dean etc.