The Houston Chronicle hasn’t endorsed a Democrat for president since LBJ in 1964. Yesterday, it endorsed Barack Obama, no doubt triggering a wave of subscription cancellations. Like so many other newspaper endorsements, the Chronicle pointed to a certain vice presidential candidate as being a deal-breaker for the non-endorsed ticket:
Perhaps the worst mistake McCain made in his campaign for the White House was the choice of the inexperienced and inflammatory Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. Had he selected a moderate, experienced Republican lawmaker such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison with a strong appeal to independents, the Chronicle’s choice for an endorsement would have been far more difficult.
On its blog, the paper tried to provide a little cover for itself, excerpting lines from previous endorsements going back to 1960. This one was particularly amusing:
1972: McGovern vs. Nixon
FOR RICHARD M. NIXON: … On Tuesday, Nov. 7, the voters will take the fate of this nation into the voting booth with them. The issues and the questions at that moment are reduced to a single point: Who do you trust?We believe President Nixon has demonstrated his ability to perform. We also believe his philosophies are in tune with the needs and wishes of the great majority of the American people. …
