arrogant

Tampa Newspaper Withholds Endorsement


TAMPA, Fla. - In a break with a long standing tradition, The Tampa Tribune,
a Republican standard-bearer for decades, refused to endorse anyone for
president for the first time.

The newspaper has solidly supported every Republican presidential nominee
since 1952, except for Barry Goldwater, but withheld its endorsement this
year, calling the decision "achingly difficult" and blaming shortcomings of
both candidates.

Editors instead published an unusual full-page editorial with very harsh
criticism of the war in Iraq and President Bush's economic policies.

"President Bush told us that he was 'a uniter, not a divider,' but shortly
after taking office, his administration took a sharp right turn that has
divided this country," the editorial said. The newspaper said it was "deeply
disappointed" with Bush on federal spending, the budget deficit, the
recession and most of all, the Iraq war.

But the paper was also skeptical of Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry,
saying his "undistinguished Senate record stands at odds with our
conservative principles" and his positions on Iraq "have been difficult to
distinguish or differentiate."

The conservative Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal also declined to endorse
either candidate in an editorial Sunday.

"This is a presidency in deep trouble, made worse by the refusal to


mess in Iraq Bush started, and move forward appropriately in the war on
terrorism."

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But they hate everthing anyway!