Obama turns tide of Record endorsements

By Mike Klocke
Record Editor
September 28, 2008 6:00 AM
For the first time in 72 years, The Record is endorsing a Democrat for president.

Franklin D. Roosevelt got our nod in 1936.

The reasons for the endorsement of Barack Obama over John McCain are articulated in the editorial on this page.

The unanimous decision was made by our editorial board, which consists of Publisher Roger W. Coover, Managing Editor Donald W. Blount, Opinion Page Editor Eric Grunder, Human Resources Director Sandi Johnson and me.

There are many who will question - with some validity - the power or value of such an endorsement. Our decision is hardly going to tip the balance in a competitive presidential election.

But endorsements of elected officials are an important part of a newspaper's public service duty.

This is the third time I've been involved in the presidential endorsement process.

Our presidential endorsements over the years have involved decisions by many different publishers, editors and editorial board members. The Record has changed ownership several times.

Delailah Little, The Record's librarian, diligently combed our archives when I sought to find out our endorsement history. I was stunned to discover the newspaper has endorsed 17 consecutive Republicans - the anomaly being 1992, when The Record chose not to endorse either George H.W. Bush or Bill Clinton.

For historical perspective, here are excerpts of past Record presidential endorsements.

» 2004: George W. Bush over John Kerry
Voters should re-elect Bush for four more years, in part because of his leadership under fire and in part because he recognizes that greatly expanding government's role isn't the answer to every problem.

Democrat John Kerry, polished, confident and convincing in the three presidential debates, fails to offer assurances on either front.

» 2000: George W. Bush over Al Gore
After eight years of William Jefferson Clinton, the best opportunity for restoring dignity and honor to the presidency of the United States rests with George W. Bush.



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san joaquin record?

Steve...he's creeping me out! Worse than usual....

I checked out the paper's web site and there is a mention of Stockton, Calif. here:

http://online.recordnet.com/subscription/amember/index.php