By: Joe Strupp While many papers this time of year are deciding who to endorse for president, The News Sentinel of Knoxville, Tenn., is trying to decide if it should endorse anyone.
And it wants readers to help decide.
In a note to readers Friday, the paper put out the question of whether such a locally-based daily should give a presidential election recommendation.
?Should the News Sentinel endorse in the presidential race?? the note begins. ?Presidential endorsements have been a longstanding tradition at this and most other American newspapers. Our editorial board follows the news closely, is well-informed on the issues and has a strong sense of the community.
?But we don't interview the presidential candidates, as we do the candidates for local and state offices, and, in this digital age, we have no special access to information about them,? the message adds. ?Is a presidential endorsement still useful and viable to our readers? Let us know by going to knoxnews.com and offering your opinion. Comments also are welcome.?
Editors stress that: ?We can't guarantee that we will abide by a majority vote, but your feedback will be useful in helping us make a decision.?
The online version also offers a place for readers to vote for or against an endorsement.
As of this morning, the tally overwhelmingly came out against any endorsement. Of 442 online voters, 365 voted against any endorsement, while just 77 wanted to know the paper?s choice.
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