Big news. Tampa Tribune refuses to endorse Bush.

[madfloridian]

http://www.tampatrib.com/News/MGBU3UEHF0E.html

"The Tribune has endorsed a Republican for president ever since Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, with one exception. We did not endorse in the 1964 presidential race because, as we said at the time, ``it is our feeling that unless a newspaper can recommend a candidate with complete conviction that he be the better choice for the office, it should make no endorsement.''

[TimeToGo]

1. Well that's good

But, why then wouldn't they endorse Kerry?

[sonicx]

2. too 'librul' is my guess

:eyes:

[madfloridian]

3. It is a victory they did not endorse Bush.

If you read the column, you will see their reasons about Kerry. This is a victory, trust me....very right wing paper.

[caledesi]

4. I live in Tampa. The Tribune is a Republican rag. nt

[high density]

5. Because they're selfish morons

"We find ourselves deeply conflicted today about the presidential race, skeptical of the promises and positions of Sen. John Kerry and disappointed by the performance of President George W. Bush."

"Neither can we endorse Sen. Kerry, whose undistinguished Senate record stands at odds with our conservative principles and whose positions on the Iraq war - the central issue in this campaign - have been difficult to distinguish or differentiate."

But if they're at least going to bash Bush, they can go right ahead. I certainly won't stop them.

[dave502d]

6. It big but.

They know what Bush has done,They should have said they will give Kerry endorse.

[Cocoa]

7. the WPE factor

Worst Presidents Ever are tough to get behind.

[Cha]

8. Well that is HUGE and I'll bet jebby is

pooping all over the place.

Much better than the Chicago Tribune and all those other newspapers who have to gag on their endorsements so Fascism will live.

[naufragus]

9. What does this say to repugs though

what will repugs think. dont vote? question my wavering support? vote kerry?

[madfloridian]

20. Well, what would it say if they endorsed Bush?

This paper is so right wing that we should be thankful for small victories.

[JPJones]

10. This is huge news

A Republican paper taking Bush to task for these reasons:

Bush Overstated The Evidence

No Dissension Allowed

More Fear Ahead

Bush's Spending Ways

Government Behind Closed Doors

The Failed Compassionate Conservative

[WI_DEM]

11. That is very big news

because it is one less paper to come out for Bush. This is turning out to be our October surprise--the surprising number of papers which are switching to Kerry after endorsing Bush in 2000 and the ones which have been Republican for years but refuse to endorse anyone.

[Misunderestimator]

12. That's great news... Since St. Pete Times endorsed Kerry I've just been

waiting for that conservative Tribune rag to endorse Bush. I suppose they're reflecting all those disgruntled Repubs who will be staying home on Nov 2, by not endorsing either candidate. Works for me.

[patdem]

13. Has ANY FL paper actually endorsed bush*?

I have seen several endorsing Kerry, but none so far for bush*..does anyone know?

[Shopaholic]

16. That's a very scathing editoral in my opinion

and has got to hurt * being that it's such a traditionally Republican Rag. :evilgrin:

[madfloridian]

19. I totally love this.

They just shocked the hell out of a lot of right wingers!

[siliconefreak]

18. None yet

However, I don't think we've heard from the Orlando Sentinel or the Jacksonville Times-Union yet.

[KayLaw]

14. I'm most shocked by this

I'm almost speechless. We live in the next county and that paper is very pro-Repub. Well, good for them, and shame on anyone who endorses or votes for that criminal.

[Kosmos Mariner]

15. This is a huge victory...

The Tribune fashions itself as the conservative counterbalance to the more critically acclaimed, and progressive leaning St. Petersburg Times. I knew something was up when the Tampa Trib endorsed Betty Castor for Senate over Bush's lackey Mel Martinez. These two papers cover the vast Tampa Bay metropolitan area, with approximately 5 counties and close to 3 million people. Like the endorsements, I think Kerry will win about half the votes or even take a small lead. As long as there are no dirty tricks and a big turnout in progressive South Florida, we will be pouring champaign on Nov. 2nd. B-)


:dem:

[madfloridian]

17. Lakeland Ledger just endorsed Castor today.

I was very proud of this.

[peekaloo]

29. Wow. A big slap upside Mel's big head! "Bu$h clone.........would be

in lockstep with the Bu$h Admin".

Oh my......is this a sweet set up for a Kerry endorsement?

:bounce:

[madfloridian]

32. I am nervous what they will do about a Bush endorsement.

I was thrilled at this. Castor also put out a fight back ad against Mel today....and it is a good one...accuses him of getting Al Arian to campaign with Bush...or something like that....or at least of excusing it and saying it was ok.

[Killarney]

21. this is a chimp-slap!

[karlrschneider]

22. Considering the source (I lived in Tampa for 17 years & know the Trib well

This is a pretty amazing and even scathing editorial announcement, for these guys. I have no idea how much good it will do, but it's several orders of magnitude better than what I've been expecting from them. I think I need to write a LTTE and remind him that JK didn't actually make any "accusations" about VN atrocities, but was repeating information that was given him. Anybody have a quick link to his testimony back in...72 was it?
K

[NightOwwl]

23. Very powerful .

They take Bush to task on every aspect of his pResidency, and support their reasoning with numerous examples of how he has been harmful to this country.

I can fully *understand a right-wing paper not endorsing Kerry, and it doesn't bother me at all.

*understand, not agree with

[tsuki]

24. I wrote those idiots

just now. They are exactly the types that Jon Stewart was talking about.

The same tired old "he voted against buying guns," and he ain't done nothing special.

HELLO? Anybody there? I sent them FactCheck.org's analysis, and mentioned that that little thing called the BCCI, the bank also known as the "grandfather of terrorism."

I sell toilets for a living. Why do I know these things and they don't.

[DemBones DemBones]

25. If you don't e-mail your post to Jon Stewart, I will,

Your last line just says it all.

I sell toilets for a living. Why do I know these things and they don't.

[tsuki]

27. Feel Free...

I have email so many in the past few days, I don't know who I am anymore.

[Pithy Cherub]

28. Beyond pearls of wisdom,

This is JUST PRICELESS!

[BootinUp]

26. Quite a scathing editorial. :)

[DuaneBidoux]

30. Like Rush Limbaugh saying he can't support Bush?

I don't know, but if it is a reliable right wing rag, then probably every morning rethuglicans in Tampa pick it up and read it. That reliabiltiy means in their minds credibility: they "have faith." Could it shake some up just a little bit at least? Maybe a few that would have gone to the polls will simply now sit it out?

We can only hope.

[A Brand New World]

31. Pretty damning editorial in my opinion

I know they didn't endorse Kerry but they certainly laid out an excellent case for not selecting Bush. Their very few reasons for not endorsing Kerry are of course flimsy but I guess they had to dig up something. I don't live in Florida but if I did, this would give me pause if I did lean towards Bush.

[PA Democrat]

33. Has ANY Florida newspaper endorsed bush?

Kerry has gotten endorsements from:

Miami Herald
St. Pete Times
Sun-Sentinel
Palm Beach Post
Daytona Beach News Journal
Florida Today