Kerry Picks Up 1st Major Newspaper Endorsement

By: E&P Staff John Kerry picked up his first major newspaper editorial endorsement today, in the Philadelphia Daily News. Not only that, in a clear departure, the paper then outlined a detailed strategy on "how to put him in the White House."

The surprise early pick, played dramatically on the front page of the tabloid, observed that, "Unlike the current White House occupant, Kerry can lead America to a brighter, better future. He has shown the personal courage, compassion, intellect and skill to lead this country in a time of war abroad and economic troubles at home. He is a serious man for a serious time.

"Why make this endorsement now, when the election is months away?

"Because this race promises to be close and Pennsylvania is one of 18 swing states that can go to either candidate. For Kerry supporters to prevail they must do more than just vote, they must bring a ringer into this contest: the more than a million people in the region who did not vote in the last presidential election. We believe these non-voters - who will have to be mobilized over the next few months - are the key to victory."

The newspaper, on the following page, then outlined "a strategy to make sure Pennsylvania lands in the Kerry win column," focusing on gaining votes from what it called "unlikely voters." In an unusually strong activist approach, it even provided names and contact points of numerous organizations, and the Kerry campaign itself.

The Daily News said that the Bush administration has been marked by failure, "failure to shepherd the country through a tough economic downturn, failure to keep the nation focused on the true enemies to our security.

"He has failed in even the one challenge he set out for himself at the beginning of his administration - to bring the country together. His has been one of the most ideologically driven and divisive administrations in recent times.

"Instead of moving forward, the country has been on the wrong track. These last four years have been wasted."