Alaska's Largest Newspaper Endorse Barack Obama, Calling Sarah Palin "too risky"

United States
October 26, 2008 11:16pm CST
Things are pretty bad when you can't even get the largest newpaper in your own state to endorse you. ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Anchorage Daily News, Alaska's largest newspaper, endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Sunday after declaring Gov. Sarah Palin "too risky" to be one step away from the Oval Office. "Like picking (Republican presidential candidate John) McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time," The Daily News said. The newspaper said Obama "brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand." The Daily News said since the economic crisis has emerged, McCain has "stumbled and fumbled badly" in dealing with it. "Of the two candidates, Sen. Obama better understands the mortgage meltdown's root causes and has the judgment and intelligence to shape a solution, as well as the leadership to rally the country behind it," the paper said. The Daily News said Palin has shown the country why she is a success as governor. But the paper said few would argue that Palin is truly ready to step into the job of being president despite her passion, charisma and strong work ethic. "Gov. Palin's nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency — but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation," the paper said. This endorsement and the wording of it is a slap in the face of Sarah Palin and John McCain. There's no other way to view it or spin it. Lloyd
5 people like this
15 responses
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Yep, Obama understands the mortgage meltdown's root causes all right. Fannie and Freddie explained it to him with cash. But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he comes through with all these promises he's making. He's got four years to make my life better and since he's all into "spreading the wealth", I should have a house in about two years or less and independently wealthy in four. Here's the catch-If I have to work for it, do what I'm currently doing by raising my credit score, saving money and paying off my debts then it means I did it all by myself. Just like I would have no matter who becomes president. Others, I'm sure will be heading to their local welfare office to get their share.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Oct 08
"Yep, Obama understands the mortgage meltdown's root causes all right. Fannie and Freddie explained it to him with cash." Yawn, more debunked nonsensical claims: http://clarusvisum.blogspot.com/2008/10/economic-crisis-is-not-fannie-and.html (I quote the relevant parts of the link below) http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53802.html
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
27 Oct 08
That wasn't even what I was talking about.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Does anyone really care who a newspaper endorses? I mean, I guess I can at least appreciate that they are willing to admit that they are biased towards one candidate. Some of these newspapers, like the New York Times, still claim they are unbiased. I know private businesses can do whatever they want, but I really wish media outlets would just report the news and not have the entire organizations choosing candidates. Frankly I think it alienates employees of such organizations when they don't share the political views that the newspaper endorses.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Our biggest newspaper rarely endorses the candidate that most reflects the politics of the state. You're right, they should be reporting the news and nothing else.
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Another boost for the Obama campaign and it comes on the heels of the Colin Powell, Larry Pressler endorsements. What a great way to wind up the race and there could be one more boost. I think Obama and Bill Clinton are slated to come to Philly this week. That visit could come on the heels of a Phillies victory in the world series. Can you imagine the crowds that will come out for this candidate in a city ready to party? Eat your heart out Sarah Palin!
@tombiz (2036)
• Philippines
27 Oct 08
Mora and more organizations and prominent personalities (even Republicans) are now coalescing around the candidacy of B. Obama. I just hope he will eventually take the 270 electoral college numbers to take the White House. McCain is not the right candidate for USA right now...probably he was the right one back in 2000 but not now when USA is suffering a great crisis both domestically and in international fronts. I hope America will eventually choose THE right ONE.
1 person likes this
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
27 Oct 08
Wew, i dont know how would sarah face this but this is really something hard to accept she came from alaska but the state is supporting the other. I can see this is going to be a land slide win for Obama.
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
27 Oct 08
And here are John McCain's endorsements. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_John_McCain_presidential_campaign_endorsements And he picked up another one last week. FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE ENDORSES MCCAIN
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Oct 08
Newspaper endorsements may not play a huge role in the election but I think that the reasons they support one candidate or another are an important statement. I thought that the "too risky" comment about Sarah Palin was exactly right.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Regardless of whether or not you believe in endorsements, they are still relevant. Most people will vote along the lines of their associations, like the fraternal order of police or the teachers unions. Political endorsements also have the effect that a celebrity product endorsement have for some people. Kinda like if Jessica Simpson says to use Proactive it must be okay, some people may say if Colin Powell says Obama is the bst man for the jon it must be true. Regardless of how minimal the impact of an endorsement is, there's still an impact. As far as Palins own state paper not endorsing her, I'm not surprised. Although she has a great approval rating I have a feeling they no something about her that we don't. She may be suitable for state government, but I don't think she's ready or capable of dealing with it on a federal level.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
27 Oct 08
So true. But even when some people are faced with the facts they still maintain they are right and the facts are wrong. I had an ex-husband like that. Come to think of it , he is a Republican. Go figure.
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
27 Oct 08
This is absolutely wonderful. Even her own major newspaper realizes how unfit she is for the office McCain selected her for. She is coming to the town next to me today. I'm putting off getting my meds because they closed all the roads. It will be interesting to see if she gets as many people as the 35,000 people who came out for Obama. I sincerely doubt it. Her star is fading.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Certain people can complain that newspapers and the like shouldn't endorse a candidate but they, along with other media outlets and prominent citizens, have been doing so for centuries. An endorsement doesn't automatically mean that the reporting is suddenly biased or that employees are affected but there will be lots of accusations like that. Of course, had the adn endorsed the Republicans, they wouldn't be saying word one against it.
27 Oct 08
Hi lloyd, Well said, it will be a disater for the country if McCain and Palin gets in the office. Tamara
@savypat (20216)
• United States
27 Oct 08
All over the press has gotten a lot of mileage out of this political race. I will certianly be glad when it's over and they can go back to things that have 15 mins of fame.
• United States
27 Oct 08
Why are endorsements sooooo important. I really do not care who endorses who. I am going to make up my mind who to vote for without any endorsements help. Everyone makes such a big deal over who endorses what candidate. But really, do people make up their mind on who they are going to vote for just based on this? Why should a newspaper endorse anyone. I thought the news was suppost to be fair and balance and pretty well not pick sides ( I know I know they are all taking sides). But do you really care or most of america really care who this newspaper endorses? Sound like the paper was looking for a push in readers and it worked.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
27 Oct 08
I was reading that yesterday. The paper was very detailed as to why they are behind Obama. The conservatives will spin it as liberal media bias. The ADN better be careful Palin may try to fire everyone at the paper when/if she returns to Alaska LOL