Newspaper Endorsements Don't Mean a Single Thing

[proudmoddemo]

The Boston Globe endorsement won't mean a thing for Obama and the DMR endorsement won't mean a thing for Clinton. Newspaper endorsements get a lot of play, but they are ultimately worthless. Here's why:

How many phone calls does the newspaper make on behalf of its endorsed candidates? The answer: zippo. How many volunteers does a newspaper send to help a campaign out? The answer zippo. Does the newspaper share its distribution list with the endorsed candidate? The answer hell no. Give me a good union over a newspaper any day.

Further, I've been working polls for 15 years. To this day, I have yet to see a candidate bring in the newspaper slate editorial clipped out of that mornings papers (most newspapers run a slate eidtoral summarizing their endorsed candidates on election day). Out of thousands of voters, I've seen ZERO people carrying a newspaper endorsement.

I've probably made 10,000 phone calls and knocked on 5,000 doors over 8 years as an activist. And I've yet to have a single person I talked with tell me, "I'm not voting for your candidate," or "I am voting for your candidate," because of a newspaper endorsement. Because the union endorsed a candidate, surely. Because the local Democratic party endorsed a candidate, absolutely. Because the Sierra Club endorsed a candidate, positively. Because the League of Women voters sent along an issue questionare,you bet. Because the NRA endorsed a candidate, happens every year. Because the Chamber of Commerce endorsed a candidate, happens all the time. Because NOW/Emily's list endorsed, happens a lot. Because the newspaper did, zippo.

Newspaper endorsements don't mean anything. The person that will win Iowa will win because they have a solid turnout operation and strong support from influential people and organizations. Newspapers don't mean a thing. Ditto for New Hampshire.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Tells Us Something About The Paper

Thanks for your insight!

[Evergreen Emerald]

2. before the endorsement was announced

people were certainly hoping that their candidate would get it. Now that they chose Clinton, suddenly, it means nothing.

[proudmoddemo]

4. Of course people were hoping their candidate would get it

It's the first real competition of the campaign. And everybody wanted to win it, because campaigns think winning is important. But it means as much as a pre-season NFL game...

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. I think that it does not guarantee a win, but it does help with momentum

And I think Clinton needed the leg up.

[proudmoddemo]

9. For a few hours

We'll see what's in the New York Times tomorrow.

[Evergreen Emerald]

10. true enough. The media is not a friend to the Clintons

And she get hammered routinely in the press.

[Quixote1818]

3. Al Gore coulden't even help Howard Dean. nt

[Inspired]

6. The DMR endorsed Bradley over Gore in 2000.

So what does that tell you? It tells me it doesn't mean a thing.

[calteacherguy]

7. Now that's an interesting little tidbit. nt

[proudmoddemo]

8. Agreed

And a bunch of other people, none of whom went on to be President. I think the last time they endorsed a successful candidate was 1980...

[tammywammy]

11. Agreed, I thought that I was the only one who thought that

I mean I look at my local paper to see who they endorse, but it's not the end-all-be-all of why I'd vote for someone.

:shrug: I really don't think these endorsements, except the union ones mean much.

[loyalsister]

12. They have some utility....

They're useful links and quotes for the webs sites, etc.

[Perry Logan]

13. This explains the strong and widespread reaction to those endorsements.

[cali]

14. Actually, they have varying degrees of influence.

Edwards went from 11% immediately before the DMR endorsement in '04 to 23% after. Mere coincidence? I doubt it.

[bunnies]

15. Maybe the enorsement doesnt help... but the loads of advertisement does. nt

[cleveramerican]

16. Its better to get them, than to not get them.

My question is an obvious one.
If they don't mean anything, why do they all go after them so strongly?
I know they don't mean many votes....but they mean something.

[proudmoddemo]

17. Because campaigns and candidates are neurotic

Campaigns and candidates, especially before a single vote is cast, are neurotic. They desperately want to have something to "win," and that makes them feel better when they do. But in the end, it really means nothing.

[MethuenProgressive]

18. Where's your Edwards/Obama logo?

:rofl: