NYT: John Kerry for President (endorsement)

[Iceburg]

Although not unexpected from the NYT, the editors do a fine job of documenting the numerous bush failures.
--------
Published: October 17, 2004

Senator John Kerry goes toward the election with a base that is built more on opposition to George W. Bush than loyalty to his own candidacy. But over the last year we have come to know Mr. Kerry as more than just an alternative to the status quo. We like what we've seen. He has qualities that could be the basis for a great chief executive, not just a modest improvement on the incumbent.

We have been impressed with Mr. Kerry's wide knowledge and clear thinking - something that became more apparent once he was reined in by that two-minute debate light. He is blessedly willing to re-evaluate decisions when conditions change. And while Mr. Kerry's service in Vietnam was first over-promoted and then over-pilloried, his entire life has been devoted to public service, from the war to a series of elected offices. He strikes us, above all, as a man with a strong moral core.

There is no denying that this race is mainly about Mr. Bush's disastrous tenure. Nearly four years ago, after the Supreme Court awarded him the presidency, Mr. Bush came into office amid popular expectation that he would acknowledge his lack of a mandate by sticking close to the center. Instead, he turned the government over to the radical right.
...
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/opinion/17sun1.html?oref=login

[Kagemusha]

1. I didn't expect it.

Figured they'd back Bush all the way.

[The Zanti Regent]

11. I fully expected a Bush endorsement...

...written by Seelye, Nagourney, Dowd and Miller. I guess those fucking whores got outvoted!

[cali]

15. If you knew anything

and boy do I mean anything about the NYT, you would have expected just such an editorial All these remarks prove to me what I've long suspected, too many people here jump all over the times without any real knowledge of paper. Does the NYT have its flaws? Most certainly. It also has some damn fine reporting. John Burns and others from Iraq have done a terrific job. Kristof, Krugman and other have written scores of salient and scathing opinion pieces. They've taken some editorial positions I heartily disagree with, but they've printed many more that have taken apart bushco. The paper is a cacaphony of voices, not all wise, not all even well written, but it struggles to be a great and independant paper. I for one, admire that.

[KittyWampus]

32. I Get The Neo-Liberal Rag Every Day. It's Flaws & Whoredom

outweigh the few instances where it lives up to its potential and erroneous image as a Liberal news outlet.

Sunday's inside cover page on the Editorial Sections has a critique of the Times by a Journalism Professor. He clearly lays out the case for the Times' pro-Bush slant.

The opposing view (that the Times has an anti-Bush slant) is pathetic and completely lacking in facts and theoretical basis.

[sr_pacifica]

41. I am in total agreement . Thanks for the post. n/t

[FlashHarry]

38. Dowd? Do you read her columns?

Have you read Bushworld? Omigod--Maureen Dowd hates BushCo™!

[tomreedtoon]

40. Have YOU read Maureen Dowd? She hates EVERYBODY!

She alternates between hating Bush and hating Kerry. The only opinion that matters to Dowd is her own, and her ability to turn a bitchy phrase. When she sticks your opponent in the back, she's preparing another dagger for your back.

[aquart]

2. What? They do not love George?

Then they shouldn't have been his fucking waterboy for the last four years.

[DrZeeLit]

3. Great wording

Sensible.
Think I should sent it anonymously to my mom, the steadfast Republican?
Hmmmmmm.

[Kukesa]

7. Absolutely! I'm a Mom, and I'd love it (she will, too).n/t

[Mountainman]

22. I think we should print it and give copies to all sensible repubs.

[joeybee12]

4. Not surprising, but boy do they attack him--and rightly so....

...with their sentiments echoed by soooooooooo many people in this country, I just can't see how Dumbo can be re-appointed.

[shadu]

5. NY Times is OK, they even let Dr. Krugman criticize Israel

They try to be fair and balanced.
Good to see this endorsement.

[demokatgurrl]

27. I think you mean Friedman?

I don't think Krugman writes about Israel. He's domestic/econonimics, and brilliant, IMHO.

[bluestateguy]

6. Cool. But I'm worried about the W. Post

We are expected to get the big east coast papers, and I am concerned that if we don't get the Post that will be played up as a major victory for the Baby Bush.

[sisenor]

44. I am willing to bet my home that WaPo will endorse Kerry

That's just my prediction.

[liberalmuse]

8. Wow! Was that scathing, or what?

And I'm impressed that the NYT was able to highlight the worst of Bush's failures in just under 2 pages. That was one of the most solid endorsements I've read yet. What an excellent surprise!

[pacalo]

13. Absolutely! They touched upon everything we don't like about him.

The international outrage over the American invasion is now joined by a sense of disdain for the incompetence of the effort. Moderate Arab leaders who have attempted to introduce a modicum of democracy are tainted by their connection to an administration that is now radioactive in the Muslim world. Heads of rogue states, including Iran and North Korea, have been taught decisively that the best protection against a pre-emptive American strike is to acquire nuclear weapons themselves.

And I agree with their sentiment that Kerry can no longer be considered an ABB candidate: We've come to learn alot about Kerry, and we are very impressed!

But over the last year we have come to know Mr. Kerry as more than just an alternative to the status quo. We like what we've seen. He has qualities that could be the basis for a great chief executive, not just a modest improvement on the incumbent.

Thank you, NYTimes!

[demokatgurrl]

28. The sad thing is-

Most of those who read the Times regularly, like me, are already Democratic/pro Kerry. The others - a lot, but I'd guess a lot less than half- won't be convinced, based on the letters they write to the Editor.

[grasswire]

9. look at this part

"We look back on the past four years with hearts nearly breaking, both for the lives unnecessarily lost and for the opportunities so casually wasted. Time and again, history invited George W. Bush to play a heroic role, and time and again he chose the wrong course. We believe that with John Kerry as president, the nation will do better."

Ironic, considering the fact that they enabled his appointment and enabled his rush to war.

[msanthrope]

10. Perhaps they see the blood on their hands:

Out damned spot! Out I say! One: two: why, then ‘tis time to do ‘t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard?

What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow’r to accompt?

Macbeth(V,I, 36-40)

[Schadenfreude.2]

19. no surprise

To this avid NYT reader.
If only my local paper was wise.
They called the 3rd debate a draw and said shrub had his stuff back. :(

[gottaB]

29. Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?

The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?--
What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o'
that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with
this starting.

....

Here's the smell of the blood still: all the
perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand. O, O, O!

....

To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:
come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's
done cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!

....

Sez the Doctor:

Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets:
More needs she the divine than the physician.
God, God forgive us all! Look after her;
Remove from her the means of all annoyance,
And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night:
My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.
I think, but dare not speak.

[teryang]

12. It will take a generation or more to undo the damage

...the NY Times has done in supporting the Bush cabal and their war mongering schemes.

[goforit]

14. They were pretty Soft on bush today.Hope they put their words to action

[Isere]

16. "Wide knowledge and clear thinking"

The complete, utter antithesis of G.W. Bush.

No more need be said.......

[DemFromMem]

17. Now if the NY Post endorsed Kerry that would be news....

[FlashHarry]

39. Amazingly, the Post endorsed Schumer!

I guess pigs really do have wings!

[tilsammans]

18. Excellent!

True, the Times has made quite a few missteps during BushCo's tenure. But I am not at all surprised with their Kerry endorsement. Best of all, they've done a great job summarizing W's numerous failures. I especially like this final comment:

We look back on the past four years with hearts nearly breaking, both for the lives unnecessarily lost and for the opportunities so casually wasted. Time and again, history invited George W. Bush to play a heroic role, and time and again he chose the wrong course.

Thank you, NYT!

:kick:

[Dover]

20. How ironic......

"We look back on the past four years with hearts nearly breaking, both for the lives unnecessarily lost and for the opportunities so casually wasted. Time and again, history invited George W. Bush to play a heroic role, and time and again he chose the wrong course."

The very same thing could be said about the NYT...and my memory isn't clouded by a rally so late in the game. When push came to shove and we needed them to play the most important role any news source could play in reporting the truth, they failed us miserably. They are aligned with the powers that be, and reporting the truth takes a back seat.

There are many fine writers and investigative reporters at the NYT, but they can't thrive under the tainted leadership at the top. The NYT has a lot of proving to do if they hope to turn it around...

[Zorra]

21. This is great. John Kerry an extremely qualified presidential

candidate, and the more I have learned about him the more I have come to appreciate what a great president he is going to be.

It is true that I would vote for an unknown dog before I would vote for Bu$h. At least the dog might be an honest and qualified candidate that might actually do something good for America. I already know that Bu$h is a malicious and incompetent criminal.

But I'll gladly vote for John Kerry. He has convinced me, a former radical Kucinich supporter, that he is concerned about me and my country, and will genuinely do his best to do what is right for America.

[MODemocrat]

35. The Real Deal, simply wonderful

Thanks for posting that photo of the magnificent John Kerry, and
making my day.

:hi: :thumbsup:

[flaminbats]

23. Kerry can win by making character the defining issue...

as the campaign ends, Republicans can only win by convincing voters that Kerry is an evil flip/flopper.

But how can Kerry be defeated by what should be his defining advantage? When looking at Kerry's record in the Senate, Americans see votes based on principles as constant as the Northern Star. When comparing Bush's promises to his actions, Americans feel the comfort of a leaking roof.

[VolcanoJen]

24. I'm thrilled by this, because this is important to our victory.

The New York Times has endorsed John Kerry.

To the intelligent, informed, but on-the-fence voter, that's something to put in the pipe and smoke. I know many of these types. Endorsements actually matter to them, and this is a big one.

The New York Times has endorsed John Kerry. So has the Boston Globe, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News. So far, not too shabby.

[Moderator]

25. Kick - WooHoo

:kick:

[xxqqqzme]

26. my favorite part

"...We look back on the past four years with hearts nearly
breaking, both for the lives unnecessarily lost and for the
opportunities so casually wasted. Time and again, history
invited George W. Bush to play a heroic role, and time and
again he chose the wrong course. We believe that with John
Kerry as president, the nation will do better..."

hearts nearly breaking....opportunities casually wasted...if it wasn't so f*cking anguished, it would B a lovely use of words but the last 4 years R captured in those six words.

[Blue_Roses]

30. Wow. Great news.

:kick:

[bleedingheart]

31. Boy...I am just bowled over by the harsh criticism of Bush

and the overwhelming support of Kerry.

[carnie_sf]

33. I just watched

Going upriver, and was reminded of seeing Kerry on TV in 1970, '71 and thinking "if only he could be the president, instead of Nixon". This editorial really mirrors my thinking of late. I think John Kerry will be a great president, possibly one of the best ever.

[MODemocrat]

34. Call me naive, but I am proud of the NYT endorsement of Kerry

The editorial was right on, and they're absolutely right when they say "he has the qualities that could be the basis for a great chief executive."

Kerry has been there, done that, Bush simply blabs about being there and doing that, he's just all blow and no show.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

36. HELL YEAH!!!! I LOVE YOU, JOHN KERRY!!!

Mr. Kerry has the capacity to do far, far better. He has a willingness - sorely missing in Washington these days - to reach across the aisle. We are relieved that he is a strong defender of civil rights, that he would remove unnecessary restrictions on stem cell research and that he understands the concept of separation of church and state. We appreciate his sensible plan to provide health coverage for most of the people who currently do without.

Mr. Kerry has an aggressive and in some cases innovative package of ideas about energy, aimed at addressing global warming and oil dependency. He is a longtime advocate of deficit reduction. In the Senate, he worked with John McCain in restoring relations between the United States and Vietnam, and led investigations of the way the international financial system has been gamed to permit the laundering of drug and terror money. He has always understood that America's appropriate role in world affairs is as leader of a willing community of nations, not in my-way-or-the-highway domination.

Voting for president is a leap of faith. A candidate can explain his positions in minute detail and wind up governing with a hostile Congress that refuses to let him deliver. A disaster can upend the best-laid plans. All citizens can do is mix guesswork and hope, examining what the candidates have done in the past, their apparent priorities and their general character. It's on those three grounds that we enthusiastically endorse John Kerry for president.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

37. "this race is mainly about Mr. Bush's disastrous tenure."

"There is no denying that this race is mainly about Mr. Bush's disastrous tenure."

IOW: KERRY SAVE OUR ASS!!!

[nodehopper]

42. is there a website that shows which newspapers endorsed whom?

like, a national list?

[smitty]

43. not unexpected

The NY Times endorsement of Kerry was to be expected, however, the editorial was well thought out and clearly outlines Bush's failings in the past four years. Recommended reading, pass it on to a friend, especially anyone who is still "undecided".