The Washington Post is not going to endorse a candidate for president, the primary time it’s making that call since 1988. The outlet as an alternative will let readers resolve whether or not they help former President Trump or Vice President Harris, and can do the identical for all future elections.
In a memo to employees, Post CEO Will Lewis wrote that “The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.”
In explaining the decision, Lewis cited a 1960 editorial board column explaining the paper’s place on the time to not endorse presidential candidates. He additionally sought to preempt criticism in regards to the resolution:
“We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable,” Lewis wrote. “We don’t see it that way. We see it as consistent with the values The Post has always stood for and what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of law, and respect for human freedom in all its aspects. We also see it as a statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds on this, the most consequential of American decisions — whom to vote for as the next president.”
The criticism got here rapidly, with former Post editor Marty Baron writing that the choice was “cowardice, with democracy as its casualty.” Donald Trump “will see this as an invitation to further intimidate owner [Jeff Bezos] (and others). Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famed for courage,” he added.
Internally, one Post staffer says that the choice, made so near the election, was “shocking,” and raised questions in regards to the rationale to take action.
Based on the Post Guild, a union that represents editorial employees on the outlet, an editorial endorsing Harris had already been drafted, and the choice to not publish was made by the Post’s proprietor, Bezos, for causes which are unclear.
Oliver Darcy at Standing reported earlier this week in regards to the Post‘s lack of an endorsement, though Friday’s resolution seemingly finalized the decision.
And the transfer by the Post additionally got here days after the Los Angeles Instances discovered itself in turmoil over its resolution to not endorse within the 2024 election. The choice sparked an exodus of editorial writers and fomented anger amongst many employees who felt that the choice was unexplainable.
Whereas some speculated that it could possibly be as a result of proprietor Patrick Quickly-Shiong’s position within the medical house (the place authorities regulation can kill an organization), his daughter Nika posted that the choice was related to Harris’ stance on the Israel-Palestine battle. “This is not a vote for Donald Trump. This is a refusal to ENDORSE a candidate that is overseeing a war on children,” she wrote.
