Newspaper Endorsements in the 2016 Primary Campaigns

When candidates are striving for credibility in the pre-primary period or the early primaries, a newspaper endorsement can have an impact.  Campaign ads often trumpet newspaper endorsements.  A newspaper's endorsement is generally decided by the editorial board, although sometimes the publisher weighs in or makes the decision.  Endorsements are often run in the Sunday paper to reach the largest audience.  To further help their readers, a number of papers make available video or audio recordings of ed. board meetings.  Some newspapers have a policy of not making endorsements, at least at the presidential level.  Examining the reasoning used in various papers' endorsements can offer clear insights into the candidates' strengths and weaknesses.  2011-12   |   2007-08

Copyright © 2015 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action. All rights reserved.