Newspaper editorial boards have at times been accused of being “homers,” sometimes favoring the home-town or home-state candidates over more qualified challengers.
The Dallas Morning News has chosen, however, to make its recommendation for the Republican presidential nomination — and it’s not U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
The DMN’s nod goes to Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
The paper likes Kasich’s record of accomplishment and believes it would suit him — and the nation — well if he were to be elected the next president of the United States.
What’s most compelling — to me, at least — is the paper’s nod to Kasich’s ability and willingness to work with Democrats. He did so while serving in Congress, where he chaired the House Budget Committee and helped craft a balanced federal budget.
One does not do such a thing in a vacuum, and Kasich showed his bipartisan chops in that regard.
I’m glad to see the Dallas Morning News climb aboard the Kasich bandwagon, such as it is in Texas.
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But what does a newspaper endorsement mean?
More than likely not a damn thing, at least not in this election season.
The leading Republican candidate for president says outrageous things about his foes, other politicians in general, the media, the voters, women — he uses amazingly grotesque language to describe one of his leading opponents — but, what the heck. That’s OK. He scores points for tossing aside “political correctness.”
Kasich remains one of the grownups in this GOP primary contest. A newspaper editorial board endorsement likely won’t be singularly decisive in determining whether he wins the state’s primary on March 1.
I just hope Texas Republicans heed the rationale behind the recommendation.