by
Poor Detroit News readers. They're left without any direction, without any insights, thanks to the publication's editorial page, which has decided not to endorse anyone for president. Of course, I speak facetiously when I suggest readers need the News' guidance on picking a president.
In its holier-than-thou editorial, the News wrote Thursday:
"Neither former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, nor Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat, are suitable to lead the United States during these dangerous and divisive times."
In 2020, the editorial page did the same thing and endorsed no one. In 2016, they took the easy way out, endorsing Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.
Truth is, there are few who really care if the News endorses a presidential candidate. Readers are smart enough to figure it out on their own. I for one, a Detroit News subscriber, who worked as a reporter there for 11 years, did not rely on the publication's guidance for president this year. In fact, never have, never will. Ditto for all other publications.
Political scientist will tell you the presidential endorsement in a publication is pretty irrelevant to readers. Local races, yes. But the presidential race, no.
What the non-endorsement does reflect is the wimpiness of the editorial page, which should convey to readers what it actually stands for beyond being capable of intellectual banter that justifies being wimpy.
It's easy not to make a choice. It's harder to decide between two imperfect candidates, one who will ultimately lead the country for the next four years.
And in this case, the choice is between two very different people. Even folks like ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a staunch Republican, felt compelled to make a tough choice, not one she would have ordinarily made.
All in all, a pretty wimpy move on the part of the mighty editorial page in an election of great consequence.
