In literally every presidential election since before World War II, the editorial board of the Dallas Morning News has encouraged readers to support the Republican Party’s presidential nominee — but not this year. The newspaper editorialized earlier this month, “There is only one serious candidate on the presidential ballot in November. We recommend Hillary Clinton.”The editorial board of the Cincinnati Enquirer has supported literally every Republican presidential candidate for nearly a century, until this year. “[T]his is not a traditional race, and these are not traditional times,” the newspaper told readers this week while backing Clinton. “Our country needs calm, thoughtful leadership to deal with the challenges we face at home and abroad. We need a leader who will bring out the best in all Americans, not the worst.”And then there’s the Arizona Republic, which published this editorial overnight.
Since The Arizona Republic began publication in 1890, we have never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. Never. This reflects a deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles.This year is different.The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified.That’s why, for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat for president.
The piece concluded, “In a nation with an increasingly diverse population, Trump offers a recipe for permanent civil discord. In a global economy, he offers protectionism and a false promise to bring back jobs that no longer exist. America needs to look ahead and build a new era of prosperity for the working class. This is Hillary Clinton’s opportunity. She can reach out to those who feel left behind. She can make it clear that America sees them and will address their concerns. She can move us beyond rancor and incivility.”At this point, you might be wondering if any newspaper editorial boards have thrown their backing to Trump, and at least for now, the answer is no. According to the Washington Post‘s tally, the Republican nominee “is still without a daily newspaper endorsement in the general election.” (The New York Observer is expected to back Trump eventually — because it’s run by Trump’s son-in-law.)Meanwhile, Clinton isn’t just picking up support from Republican-friendly editorial boards; she’s also earning support from a growing number of Republicans. The Washington Post reported overnight:
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will score another high-powered Republican endorsement on Wednesday, according to a campaign aide: retired senator John Warner of Virginia, a popular GOP maverick with renowned military credentials.Warner’s decision not to support his party’s nominee, Donald Trump, is intended to send a signal in the five-term senator’s battleground home state and beyond that mainstream, security-minded Republicans should side with Clinton.
Warner is making the formal announcement this morning at a Virginia event, where he’ll appear alongside fellow Virginian, Sen. Tim Kaine, Clinton’s running mate.Warner, the former Secretary of the Navy and the former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, retired from politics in 2008. Clinton is the first Democratic presidential candidate he’s ever supported.
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Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."