Portland Oregonian Endorses Kerry

Source: Kerry-Edwards 2004

PORTLAND – Adding to the incredible momentum continuing to build for the Kerry-Edwards ticket in Oregon, the Oregonian, Oregon’s only statewide daily paper, will carry an official endorsement of John Kerry for President in its Sunday edition.

Among the reasons the paper gives for its turnaround from a 2000 endorsement of Bush are Bush’s mishandling of the war in Iraq and his misguided fiscal policies, which have put the nation on precarious financial footing. The paper also cites Kerry’s demonstrated experience on domestic issues and ability to repair the damage done by Bush on the international front.

A Survey USA poll taken after Friday’s presidential debate shows Oregonians largely agree with the Oregonian. Respondents overwhelming support John Kerry for President, choosing Kerry over Bush 47% to 38%.

Excerpts from the endorsement:

On Kerry:
“A long record of public service shows that he possesses a deep, nuanced understanding of the central domestic issues of our time.”

“Kerry also has demonstrated, through is personal heroism in Vietnam and his positions in this campaign, that he is strong, aggressive and thoughtful enough to perform well as commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces.”

“On the international front, Kerry understands something that Bush does not: Our nation’s experience shows that strong international alliances are vital to erecting a bulwark against aggression, tyranny and terrorism.”

On Bush:
“When George W. Bush took office in a deeply divided nation, he promised to reach out to unite the country. If anything, he has helped make the rifts deeper. That may be his real failure as president. John Kerry can do better.”

On Bush’s conduct of the war in Iraq: “They chose ideology over expertise. This arrogance led to a series of military, political and diplomatic blunders and, we believe, resulted in the unnecessary deaths of many brave Americans.”

On Bush’s failed fiscal policy: “The White House and leaders in Congress have failed to fully acknowledge the threat posed by the giant deficits that the current recipe of tax cuts and profligate federal spending has brewed. Addressing this will not be as simple as paying for tax cuts through spending cuts.”

The link tomorrow: http://oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/

:bounce: in a good way!

I bet we will see lots of papers which went for the chimp in 2000 reverse themselves.

It's good to see them admit their mistake, but
then again I'm thinking IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME.

The Oregonian is paper owned by conservatives and supported Bush in 2000:headbang:

That really puts the endorsement in amazing perspective. Thanks for the good news, all.

I sure didn't call that shot- although my guess is that the Oregonian is just going with the flow. As I've said many, may times, Oregon is not and never was a "battleground state." Kerry enjoys a comfortable lead- and subtract the Nader vote of over 5.5% in 2000, and Gore won handily too.

I couldn't believe it when the Oregonian endorsed Bush in 2000. I was relieved that the state went for Gore, but then along came Florida. And SCOTUS. And then there's the last four years of misery and chaos.

Might consider re-subscribing to the Oregonian now that they have acknowledged in black and white the clear differences between Bush and Kerry, articulating Bush's failed policies and endorsing Kerry.

Now we must do our part:

DEFEAT BUSH!!

and telling them not to bother with the trip to Oregon next week. It's such a bother and I'm sure the weather will be better in Crawford.

I was vacillating between "I'll bet the right-wing publisher MAKES them suck up to Chimp again" and "Even they wouldn't dare endorse Shrub again."

Well, whaddya know. They actually came down on the side of goodness. Color me somewhat pleasantly surprised.

Letters to the editor are running 5 or 6 for Kerry to one against Dumbass Dubya (according to their own totals).

I still can't figure out why they endorsed that extremist wingnut Goli Ameri over David Wu, though.

their resident lapdog, must be really pissed and probably had to be sedated. bwah hah hah. Ballots will soon be in the mail here in Oregon so all of the newspapers will be out with their endorsements in the next week.

I had the misfortune of talking to him on the phone one day. He was the rudest person I've ever encountered. I despise him. He is one of the biggest propagandist around. I doubt he has two brain cells to rub togeher.

he just pulls the Rove memos off of his thermofax, crayons his own name at the top, and the Snoregonian runs with it.

Now the Goli Ameri endorsement makes a little more sense. They had to throw the Ameri bone to the freaks in the executive offices to salvage a shred of dignity in the editorial offices.

One DUer (can't remember whom) posted a great letter he had sent to the Ed board regarding the pres endorsement this year. Brilliant, eloquent stuff. It may have helped shame them into doing the right thing this year. It certainly didn't do any harm.

It mentions that one reason to support Ameri is because she supports privatizing (read: destroying) social security. Quite in keeping with their mindset. Plus, they might believe that they actually have a chance of influencing that election. Well, they just did with this voter. I wasn't going to vote for Wu, based on his Medicare betrayal. They've just convinced me otherwise. Nice job, Ms. Rowe.

other editorial boards should take note.