The New York Daily news endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the GOP presidential primary Wednesday, and argued that he is the only realistic and reasonable Republican candidate left in the race.
The endorsement, which comes less than 24 hours after the fiercely anti-Second Amendment paper endorsed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary, argued that neither billionaire businessman Donald Trump nor Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, should be allowed anywhere near the White House.
“New York’s 2.7 million registered Republican voters can break the fever that torments their party by voting for principled, pragmatic conservatism in the April 19 presidential primary,” the paper’s board wrote.
“By his record of accomplishment in public life, by the credibility of his plans, by a temperament that marries a small government outlook with can-do effectiveness, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is highly suited to carry the GOP banner into the general election,” they added. “Kasich’s qualifications are all the clearer — screamingly so — when matched against those of competitors Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.”
Tomorrow’s front page:
NEVER TRUMP (NEVER CRUZ, EITHER!) @JohnKasich clearly only choice: https://t.co/w1VfaWKtZp pic.twitter.com/OA1Bn5SXtX— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 14, 2016
Kasich has the temperament and the grounded personality to carry the day for Republicans, they explained, ignoring the fact that he has no path forward to the nomination.
“Although far out of sync with the Daily News’ philosophy, all of that says Kasich’s presidential plans should please the GOP conservative faithful,” they wrote, after laying out why his policy proposals all seem like pretty good ideas. “At the same time, in an era frozen by dogma, he stands out for understanding that progress in a democracy can demand compromise.”
“Whatever the issue, Kasich holds the promise of getting the job of governing done, where Cruz and Trump do not,” they added.
The rest of the editorial was then dedicated to explaining everything they hate about Cruz and Trump.
“Far too much of a doctrinal purist, Cruz has alienated every member of the Senate with destructive, self-promoting stunts. Personality alone would hobble his presidency,” they wrote.
“Finally, Trump,” they added. “Campaigns reveal character. Event by outrageous event, this very strange race has exposed Trump the man to be a self-loving egotist, demagogue and bully who suffers from severe deficits of wisdom and maturity.”
They concluded, writing, “In the strongest possible terms, the Daily News endorses John Kasich in the April 19 Republican primary, first because he would well represent the Republican Party in November (when a contest with Clinton would be welcome) and second because every vote for Kasich is a vote against a recklessly arrogant man who would demean the highest office in the land.”
The Daily News is not the only newsroom to suggest that the Ohio governor is the best bet for Republicans to win back the White House: the Atlantic and the “explainer” website Vox.com made similar pitches Wednesday.
