From: The New Civil Rights Movement
The Cincinnati Enquirer, published daily and since 1841, announced Friday it is endorsing Hillary Clinton for president. The newspaper has not endorsed a Democrat for president since Woodrow Wilson one hundred years ago, in 1916.
“The Enquirer has supported Republicans for president for almost a century – a tradition this editorial board doesn’t take lightly,” the board began in its editorial. “But this is not a traditional race, and these are not traditional times.”
They continued, “our country needs calm, thoughtful leadership to deal with the challenges we face at home and abroad. We need a leader who will bring out the best in all Americans, not the worst,” before concluding that “there is only one choice when we elect a president in November: Hillary Clinton.”
The board cited Clinton’s time as a senator in New York, in which she passed bills with “conservative lawmakers,” her history with 9/11 first responders where she ensured they received proper care following their time at Ground Zero, and her “more than 40 years fighting for women’s and children’s rights.”
They turned further to her time as first lady, citing her creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which provides care to over 8 million children, her fight to close the gender wage gap and “[standing] up for LGBT rights domestically and internationally, including [her] advocating for marriage equality.”
In contrast, the editorial board asserted that “[Donald] Trump is a clear and present danger to our country,” citing that he has “no history of governance that should engender any confidence from voters.” They referenced his lack of foreign policy experience and referred to his “reckless, cowboy diplomacy” as something that “Americans should fear from a Trump presidency.”
The board further celebrated Clinton’s time as secretary of state, asserting that she “[has] far stronger diplomatic skills than she gets credit for.” They caution that “yes, mistakes were made in Benghazi, and it was tragic that four Americans lost their lives … But the incident was never the diabolical conspiracy that Republicans wanted us to believe, and Clinton was absolved of blame after lengthy investigations.” They further credit her role in the decisions that led to the death of Osama bin Laden and the U.N. sanctions that led to the Iran nuclear deal.
“We have our issues with Clinton,” the board admits, but advises that any issues they may have “pale in comparison to our fears about Trump.” They further remind readers that they have consistently criticized his temperament and policies since the beginning of the Republican primary, in which they endorsed Ohio Governor John Kasich.
“We’ve condemned [Trump’s] childish insults; offensive remarks to women, Hispanics and African-Americans; and the way he has played on many Americans’ fears and prejudices to further himself politically,” they asserted.
They further questioned Trump’s business acumen, his refusal to release his tax returns, and his praise of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and Saddam Hussein “while insulting a sitting president, our military generals, a Gold Star family and prisoners of war like [Senator] John McCain.”
While the board noted that Trump had “of late… toned down his divisive rhetoric,” they were quick to point out that “going two weeks without saying something misogynistic, racist or xenophobic is hardly a qualification for the most important job in the world.”
In Clinton, they wrote, America would have “a brave leader, not bravado. Real solutions, not paper-thin promises. A clear eye toward the future, not a cynical appeal to the good old days.”
“It’s time to elect the first female U.S. president,” the board concluded. “Not because she’s a woman, but because she’s hands-down the most qualified choice.”
The Cincinnati Enquirer further explained its endorsement via Facebook Live, the full video of which can be seen below:
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