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Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama

by BooMan
Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 04:50:38 PM EST

It's no surprise that the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post have endorsed Obama, but the Chicago Tribune? That's kind of earthshattering. And it's a stronger endorsement than Fred Hiatt's petulant concession. The Tribune has never before endorsed a Democrat. They have endorsed every Republican candidate for president except Ulysses S. Grant during his reelection campaign (they endorsed Horace Greeley before he became associated with the Democrats) and William Taft (they endorsed former-Republican Teddy Roosevelt). I think the quantity and quality of Republican support for Obama is a good sign for both his campaign and for his prospects as a president. I don't think we'll see the same kind of loony resistance to Obama's presidency that Clinton had to endure. Of course, we've seen an element at the McCain-Palin rallies that will be totally unreconciled to the outcome of this election, but that can't be helped. It'd be nice if McCain and Palin would stop feeding that beast, but it will be with us in any case.

Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

I don't think we'll see the same kind of loony resistance to Obama's presidency that Clinton had to endure.

That in one prediction of yours I don't think will hold up Boo.

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. Franklin D. Roosevelt

by Steven D on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 04:53:45 PM EST

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

I guess I should be more specific. I don't think we'll see the NYT's pursue some Whitewater fantasy or see a Mellon-Scaife funded attempt to destroy Obama.

On the other hand, FOX will still be FOX and the WSJ will be apoplectic, as always.

But I don't think the center-right Establishment is going to see Obama as illegitimate, the way that they did with BC.

by BooMan on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:06:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

I don't think we'll see the NYT's pursue some Whitewater fantasy

This may be true. I certainly hope so. I don't quite recall the '92 election - did the Whitewater allegations come out during the campaign, or did they start cropping up after he'd won the election.

or see a Mellon-Scaife funded attempt to destroy Obama.

This I find doubtful. Some rich-ass billionaire somewhere who hates Democrats and black people will be working on this. Heck, make that IS working on this. Count on it.

On the other hand, FOX will still be FOX and the WSJ will be apoplectic, as always.

Heh. The WSJ can be as stupid as they want. When they start wailey-wailing about how the Democrats plans will "destroy the economy" this time, I hope they get a full throated "George W Bush" shoved back into their faces and are suitably ignored. Being purchased by Rupert Murdoch probably won't help them much.

I do wonder a bit about FOX, though. Murdoch isn't an ideologue so much as he's a whore for power. He's probably as happy with center-left as he is with center-right so long as he's making money. He seemed to have a decent relationship with Tony Blair, IIRC. I wonder if with Democrats taking all of the reigns of power, Murdoch might start to change his mind about letting FOX News be Roger Ailes personal playground.

I doubt it - I'm sure he suspects that with the right wing out of power, there may be a resurgence of viewers for right-wing news. But I guess I wouldn't be completely surprised to see FOX take a "bold new direction" and make a move to the center.

by nonynony on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:34:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

A Democratic congress with supermajorities will probably have some punitive action against hate radio and FOX. I don't expect a return of the Fairness Doctrine, but I do expect some increased regulation of the public airwaves.

by BooMan on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:59:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

But I don't think the center-right Establishment is going to see Obama as illegitimate, the way that they did with BC.

On the contrary, I think with Congressional supermajority for the Democrats a real possibility at this point, the center-right Village Idiots will be clutching those pearls and swooning so hard at Barack's "failure to bring true change with his overly partisan agenda" that we'll see Obama's press honeymoon measured in picoseconds.

Obama's imaginary "scandals" will be on the cocktail circuit faster than shit through a goose, and as you said the real problem will be the right's complete insistance that Obama is not even worthy of being considered human, much less President.

It's not the Village loonies Obama has to worry about. It's the people who wish to do him physical harm, and who will almost certainly try to do so, driven by nearly two decades of the Pretty Hate Machine.

It'll be different from Clinton, certainly.

People weren't trying to kill him for being President.

More at Zandar vs. The Stupid.

by Zandar1 on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:54:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

I've always suspected that the Trib seriously damaged itself with its tortured, loony endorsement of Bush in 04. Maybe they figure they can't afford to lose any more credibility now that they're on a financial precipice. Especially since they'd never be forgiven around here if they put the knife in Obama.

Whatever the reasons, if even the Trib is going for Obama, it's hard to imagine that any major paper this side of the Wash Times will endorse McCain. What a difference a year makes.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:01:51 PM EST

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

I will never forgive McCain and his sidekick for sowing racist seeds. They've grown into plants.

Josh Marshall
McCain's Harvest
Vandalized ACORN offices in Boston and Seattle and threats of death or violence in Providence and Cleveland follow in the wake of McCain's bogus "vote fraud" scam.
Brutal McCain Mailer Slams Obama's Patriotism, Says He "Partied With Hollywood's Elite" During Crisis

I think an Ad of McCain and Bush during Katrina; with people drowning they were eating cake and celebrating a birthday.

McCain should never be made welcomed. He should be reminded of his shame.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:04:21 PM EST

McCain = disgusting and pathetic waste of humanity (none / 1)

I don't think history will be very kind to McCain-Palin.

The Obama campaign is looking for more security at PA offices after recent threats.

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."

by CabinGirl on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:21:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

Get this.

N.H. GOP State chair says McCain's robo-calls are "a waste of money"
New Hampshire is among the swing states where automated calls are being played by John McCain's campaign and the Republican National Committee that try to link Barack Obama to former domestic terrorist Bill Ayers.
The McCain campaign confirmed this afternoon that New Hampshire residents are receiving the calls.
The tactic was criticized this afternoon by McCain's state campaign chairman.
[.]
"I don't think it's very effective," said McCain state chairman Peter Spaulding. "I wouldn't do it, but I don't think it's inaccurate, either.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 05:22:18 PM EST

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

This is truly awesome and it can't be dismissed as Obama's hometown newspaper, either. This is like the Vatican Council electing the Archbishop of Canterbury as Pope. I had expected a lukewarm endorsement of McCain, citing the "War on Terror" and "free market principles".

It wasn't a less of two evils endorsement, either. It was full throated and solid. I can only conjecture that moderate Republicans want their Party back and wish to thoroughly repudiate the neoconservatives.

I remember my late father telling me a joke from the Depression era: A cab driver is telling a friend about his new girlfriend. He tells him that she has everything, looks, poise, smarts. "In fact, she even has syphilis", he concludes. His stunned friend says,"WHAT? Do you know what syphilis is?" The cabdriver answers, "No, but the Tribune is against it, so it HAS to be something good." THAT's the newspaper that just ringingly endorsed a Democrat for President for the first time in their 148 year history.

by The Voice In The Wilderness on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 09:13:00 PM EST

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

A clear case of "strange bedfellows". Great story from your dad!

"I never trust people who don't laugh." Maya Angelou, March 5, 2009

by Indianadem on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 10:02:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 0)

Thanks. I wish he could have been alive to see this.

by The Voice In The Wilderness on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 10:28:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama (none / 1)

My dad, a solid socialist liberal, died young one year after Reagan took office. I'm sure that was a stomach punch to him in his struggle against cancer. He was a vet of WWII and Korea, an idealist and deeply fair man, appalled by greed and selfish corporations and individuals, even the sports celebrities he admired so much for their skill and talent.

Thankfully his gall was spared the abuses of the Reagan Era, and my god he would have probably hung himself if he had been around to see the Texas Cowboy selected into the presidency.

Sentimental moment for me here.

Share. Share resources, share delight, share burdens, share the healing. Sharing will bring us back from mass suicide. www.share-international.org

by Isis on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 at 11:21:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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