Talk about a bunch of whiners!
This non-endorsement isn’t defaulting to whomever the Democrats choose. This newspaper has a history of presidential appointments favoring Republicans starting in the mid-20th century. Except for Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the Sentinel backed Republican presidential nominees from 1952 through 2004, when we recommended John Kerry over another four years of George W. Bush.
As recently as 2012 we recommended Republican Mitt Romney because of what seemed at the time to be Obama’s failure to adequately manage the nation’s finances.
If — however unlikely — a Republican like Romney, now a senator from Utah, or former Ohio Gov. John Kasich successfully primaried the president, we would eagerly give them a look. Same if an independent candidate mounted a legitimate campaign.
We’d even consider backing Trump if, say, he found the proverbial cure for cancer or — about as likely — changed the essence of who he is (he won’t).
The nation must endure another 1½ years of Trump. But it needn’t suffer another four beyond that.
We can do better. We have to do better.
The OS Editorial Board is busy patting itself on the back for backing GOP candidates from 1954-2004. My wife grew up in Orlando and her family is still there. Orlando of 2020 isn't the sam Orlando of 1960, 1990 or even 2004. The newspaper business certainly is NOT the same.
Meanwhile, Trump draws larger crowds and has more enthusiasm than any other candidate. He has the power of incumbency. He has a strong economy. (love how the Orlando Sentinel praises Obama for seeing the market in his first 2 years 50%+ yet didn't endorse him due to "Obama’s failure to adequately manage the nation’s finances." Which is it? Was Obama the genius for making the markets roar after the banking crisis (ha!) or and idiot for doubling the debt? (Winner!)
The OS is butthurt because Trump is willing to fight back against the MSM, which they are part of. The fact that they'd come out the FIRST day of his campaign with such a stance shows they have TDS in a bad way.
