Why One Small Paper Backed a Democrat for President--Possibly for the First Time Ever

By: Dexter Hill The Obama-Biden ticket has had an impressive showing so far in the race for editorial endorsements, and not just with the traditionally Democratic newspapers. The campaign has successfully changed the minds of close to 30 traditionally Republican newspapers, as we have shown in our daily update.

The Yamhill Valley News-Register (McMinnville, Ore.) is one of these papers, having recently published its first endorsement of a Democratic presidential candidate since at least 1928, when the local Bladine family gained ownership, Managing Editor Steve Bagwell tells E&O. It is possibly the first endorsement of a Democrat since the tri-weekly newspaper began in 1866.

The editorial supports the Illinois senator?s plan for resolving the war in Iraq as well as his perspective on domestic policy issues, including the slowing economy: ?FDR led us out of the Great Depression, following a market collapse that occurred on the watch of his hapless Republican predecessor, Herbert Hoover. We have to place our hopes for like leadership in perilously similar times in the hands of one of two men. We place ours in the hands of Barack Obama,? the endorsement read.

Like many other papers, the News-Register cites Sarah Palin as a major flaw in the McCain campaign strategy. According to the editorial, Palin?s role as governor of a state with a population ?about the size of Portland? is one of many shortcomings when it comes to being qualified to potentially lead the entire nation.

Readers have had mixed reactions to the News-Register endorsement. Some have written to the editorial board that it was a brave move. One reader, on the other hand, has since canceled a subscription, saying the newspaper has become leftist, according to Viewpoints editor Cassie Sollars.

Despite readers who disagree with the switch the News-Register has made in this year?s presidential race, Sollars supports the editorial endorsement process. ?Its pretty rare for a newspaper to blindly make an endorsement. Because we endorse on both sides of the aisle, I think people will pay attention and will still see this as a reliable source for gathering facts,? Sollars said.