The Dallas Morning News endorsed a Democrat for president on Wednesday for the first time since World War II.
“There is only one serious candidate on the presidential ballot in November. We recommend Hillary Clinton,” the daily newspaper, which serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, announced early Wednesday morning.
The endorsement came after it called Donald Trump “no Republican” on Tuesday.
“We’ve been critical of Clinton’s handling of certain issues in the past. But unlike Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton has experience in actual governance, a record of service and a willingness to delve into real policy,” the paper said. “Resume vs. resume, judgment vs. judgment, this election is no contest.”
The board added that the decision to endorse Clinton wasn’t an easy one, given that it endorsed Republicans for more than 75 years. It admitted that Clinton isn’t the perfect candidate, and noted “questions about her honesty” and “her willingness to share the truth.” Her use of a private email server is also troubling, and is a “clear example of poor judgement.”
“And she must be more forthright with the public by holding news conferences, as opposed to relying on a shield of carefully scripted appearances and speeches,” the paper added.
But despite these “real shortcomings,” the paper said, “they pale in comparison to the litany of evils some opponents accuse her of. … Clinton has made mistakes and displayed bad judgment, but her errors are plainly in a different universe than her opponent’s.”
“Hillary Clinton has spent years in the trenches doing the hard work needed to prepare herself to lead our nation,” the board concludes. “In this race, at this time, she deserves your vote.”
