The Tennessean makes no endorsement in presidential race

 The Tennessean today announced they were making no endorsement for president. I am pleased. I find both candidate so despicable, I will not be voting for the lesser of two evils, if I could figure out which one that might be. It looks like The Tennessean also finds them both despicable. The paper criticized Trump for his charge the election was rigged and says, "Trump's escalation of his already ugly, misogynistic, dishonest, racist, bigoted and self-aggrandizing rhetoric threatens the very ideas this country was founded upon." They go on to say, "Trump will prove to be the least worthy major political party candidate ever to have run for the highest office in the land."

Of HIllary, The Tennessean says, "Democrat Hillary Clinton has a distinguished public service record as a First Lady, U.S. Senator and U.S. Secretary of State. However, the personal email server scandal, her penchant for secrecy and her trustworthiness should give Americans pause."

The Tennessean  has almost always endorsed Democrats for president but in 2012 they endorsed Mitt Romney over Barack Obama.  This is the first time the paper has made no endorsement. The paper had several opinion pieces from staff writers and community figures making endorsements. Here are the link:

• Tennessean Opinion Editor David Plazas: The Case for Hillary Clinton
• Tennessee Sen. Mae Beavers: The Case for Donald Trump
• Tennessean Metro Columnist Frank Daniels III: The Case for Gary Johnson
• Businessman and Political Fund-raiser Bill Freeman: The Case for Hillary Clinton
• Retired Dentist Dr. Stephen Morris: The Case for Donald Trump
• Political Activist Hannah Cox: The Case for Gary Johnson

Across the country several newspapers that normally endorse Republicans made of point of making no endorsement this year.  I have heard no news of other papers that normally endorse Democrats failing to make an endorsement.

The Tennessean's non endorsement will probably not impact election results.  Davidson County will still vote for Hillary Clinton and Tennessee will still vote for Donald Trump.  Newspapers simply do not have the same political clout they had once upon a time.  For myself, I am writing in Evan McMullin. I know it is a long shot but I am not going to vote for the lesser of two evils. I have a clear conscience with my choice.

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