‘Resist the Siren Song of a Dangerous Demagogue’
In its 34-year history, USA TODAY has never endorsed or stood against a presidential candidate, until today. The daily newspaper, which is among the top three most widely-read in the nation, has just published an editorial titled, “Don’t vote for Trump.”
“This year, the choice isn’t between two capable major party nominees who happen to have significant ideological differences. This year, one of the candidates — Republican nominee Donald Trump — is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency,” USA TODAY’s editors write. “Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents.”
The newspaper offers many reasons to heed their advice, and they do not openly advocate for electing Clinton, but they offer the following statements on Trump:
“He is erratic.”
“He is ill-equipped to be commander in chief.”
“He traffics in prejudice.”
“His business career is checkered.”
“He isn’t leveling with the American people.”
“He speaks recklessly.”
“He has coarsened the national dialogue.”
“He’s a serial liar.”
The editors are in good company. No major daily newspaper has endorsed Donald Trump, and many conservative papers who boast having never, or almost never, endorsed a Democrat – some in more than a century – have been endorsing Hillary Clinton. Among them, The Arizona Republic, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, and others.
In the end, USA TODAY offers this advice for voters: “Stay true to your convictions.”
“That might mean a vote for Clinton, the most plausible alternative to keep Trump out of the White House. Or it might mean a third-party candidate. Or a write-in. Or a focus on down-ballot candidates who will serve the nation honestly, try to heal its divisions, and work to solve its problems.”
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