Washington Post won’t endorse Trump or Harris in this election – first time in 36 years – Times of India

The Washington Post editorial page has decided not to do a presidential endorsement this time, the first in 36 years, and the decision will be announced by publisher Will Lewis in a note to readers online early Friday afternoon, reports said. Editorial page editor David Shipley told colleagues that management had told the editorial board there would be no endorsement this year. The reason given is “creating an independent space” where the paper doesn’t tell people who to vote for.
It was previously reported that the paper was delaying the decision because owner Jeff Bezos was unwilling to support Kamala Harris, who is fending off Donald Trump. The decision not to support anyone confirms the dithering. A New York Post report earlier said the Washington Post editorial board had written its endorsement of Kamala Harris but had not received approval from Bezos or Will Lewis to publish it.
The New York Times endorsed Kamala Harris on September 30, the New York Post announced its endorsement of Donald Trump on Thursday. The Los Angeles Times also decided not to endorse either candidate, leading to the resignation of its editorial editor and two editorial board members.
The Washington Post has regularly reported on Trump’s wrongdoing, and the editorial board has repeatedly said that Trump’s actions in office and his rhetoric as a candidate made him unfit for office. In 2016, the Washington Post endorsed Hillary Clinton, and in 2020, they came out with Joe Biden.
“Back to our roots”
Washington Post publisher Will Lewis wrote a memo to staff saying the paper is returning to its roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.
“We understand that this will be interpreted in various ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility.”
This is inevitable. 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 of the American ethic, reverence for the rule of law, and respect for human freedom in all its aspects. “