Washington Post

2024 - 10 - 26

Why The Washington Post's Non-Endorsement is the Talk of the Town!

editorial decisions - Jeff Bezos - Kamala Harris - media neutrality - political journalism - presidential election - staff protests - Stephen King - Washington Post

The Washington Post has stirred the pot by choosing not to endorse any presidential candidate this election cycle. What gives?

In a surprising twist that has left journalists fuming and political pundits scratching their heads, The Washington Post announced it will not endorse any presidential candidate for the first time in 30 years. This decision came just two weeks before the American populace heads to the polls, igniting a firestorm of criticism from within the ranks of the storied publication. Employees expressed outrage over what they deemed a ‘chicken-shit’ move, asserting that Jeff Bezos, the owner's billionaire behemoth, pressured the editorial board against supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, who had already garnered preliminary endorsement approval from the opinion editor.

Will Lewis, the newspaper's publisher and CEO, declared that they are returning to their roots—abandoning endorsements altogether. This decision is a dramatic departure from the tradition that has seen The Post back candidates through numerous election cycles, helping to shape political discourse through the powerful medium of print journalism. The rumblings of discontent reverberate through the newsroom as journalists grapple with the implications of such a historic pivot, especially when compared to the publication’s storied past of fearlessly taking a stand.

This shake-up comes at a time when the political landscape of the United States is as fractured as ever, with deep concerns about voter trust and integrity. As races tighten and voters become more polarized, the lack of an influential endorsement surrounding such a critical election might create more chaos than calm. While some argue the decision reignites the idea of unbiased journalism, others worry that leaving the endorsement echo chamber empty means a missed opportunity to shape critical conversations at an electoral crossroads.

Meanwhile, in a seemingly unrelated yet equally poignant narrative, Carolyn Hax lends her advice to parents grappling with the emotional aftermath of sending their only child off to college. While one might argue that the stakes of parenting and presidential elections differ greatly, the essence of emotional upheaval and finding a new normal isn’t too far apart. Both The Post’s staff, navigating the turbulence of change during an election, and parents adjusting to life without their kids at home are grappling with transitions that challenge their identities.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

For The Post, the wrong choice at the worst possible time (The Washington Post)

I love The Washington Post, deep in my bones. Last month marked my 40th year of proud work for the institution, in the newsroom and in the Opinions section.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Furor over Washington Post's decision to not endorse presidential ... (The Guardian)

Employees outraged at 'chicken-shit' move that breaks 30-year precedent, alleging Jeff Bezos quashed Harris support.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Washington Post declines to endorse a presidential candidate ... (CBS News)

The Washington Post on Friday said it will not endorse Kamala Harris, Donald Trump or any other candidate this year.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Washington Post says it will not endorse candidate for first time in 30 ... (The Guardian)

“We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates,” Will Lewis, the newspaper's publisher and chief executive officer said in a statement ...

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Image courtesy of "Columbia Journalism Review"

The Washington Post opinion editor approved a Harris endorsement ... (Columbia Journalism Review)

On Friday, the Washington Post's publisher, Will Lewis, announced that the paper would no longer make endorsements for president—after its journalists had ...

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Staff fury as billionaire newspaper owners refuse to endorse ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The Washington Post's owner, Jeff Bezos, reportedly halted the publication of a planned editorial supporting Vice President Kamala Harris.

Washington Post won't endorse US presidential candidate (The North West Star)

Less than two weeks before the US Election Day, The Washington Post says it will not endorse a candidate for president in this year's tightly contested race ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Carolyn Hax: Their only daughter has left for college. How do ... (The Washington Post)

They sent their only child off to college this fall, and they're looking for ways to adjust.

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Image courtesy of "Illawarra Mercury"

Washington Post won't endorse US presidential candidate (Illawarra Mercury)

Less than two weeks before the US Election Day, The Washington Post says it will not endorse a candidate for president in this year's tightly contested race ...

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Image courtesy of "Ballarat Courier"

Washington Post won't endorse US presidential candidate (Ballarat Courier)

Less than two weeks before the US Election Day, The Washington Post says it will not endorse a candidate for president in this year's tightly contested race ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Backlash after Washington Post declines to endorse presidential ... (BBC News)

CEO William Lewis said the decision was a return "to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates" and that the newspaper was ending the practice going ...

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Image courtesy of "Armidale Express"

Washington Post won't endorse US presidential candidate (Armidale Express)

Less than two weeks before the US Election Day, The Washington Post says it will not endorse a candidate for president in this year's tightly contested race ...

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Image courtesy of "Livemint"

Why Stephen King, others are cancelling 'The Washington Post ... (Livemint)

The Washington Post faces backlash for not endorsing a US Presidential candidate, leading to a surge in subscription cancellations. This marks a significant ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

WHO: Vaccines could help fight antimicrobial resistance, save lives (The Washington Post)

Up to 5 million deaths globally in 2019 can be attributed to antimicrobial resistance, the agency writes.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

I pushed for more testing around my cancer diagnosis. It saved my life. (The Washington Post)

A 5 percent risk of cancer might seem small, but trust me, when you're thinking about your own life, it looms pretty large.

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Washington Post won't endorse US presidential candidate (Tasmania Examiner)

Less than two weeks before the US Election Day, The Washington Post says it will not endorse a candidate for president in this year's tightly contested race ...

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Why The Washington Post decided to opt out of a presidential ... (PBS NewsHour)

For the first time in 36 years, The Washington Post will not endorse a presidential candidate. Publisher and CEO William Lewis explained, "We are returning ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Washington Post cartoon team skewers paper's decision not to ... (The Guardian)

Paper has been pilloried for what some call 'anticipatory obedience' in preparation of a new president next year.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

The Washington Post is sitting on the fence at the most dangerous ... (The Guardian)

The paper itself has exposed the story behind its editorial refusal to endorse any candidate in the US presidential election.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Washington Post stirs up fury in liberal America over neutral election ... (The Guardian)

Failure to endorse any US presidential candidate for first time in decades 'undermines' paper's independence, say critics.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

'Washington Post' columnists push back against non-endorsement ... (NPR)

In a joint column, 17 Post columnists called the paper's decision not to endorse a presidential candidate a "terrible mistake."

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

The Washington Post is in deep turmoil as Bezos remains silent on ... (CNN)

One day after the Post announced it would not endorse a presidential candidate in this year's election or in the future, its billionaire owner remains ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

'Deeply, fundamentally saddened' (The Washington Post)

Not endorsing a candidate is fine normally, but in this election? When Mr. Trump has threatened political candidates and journalists? If you're choosing profit ...

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO Magazine"

Ben Bradlee's Posthumous Advice to Jeff Bezos: You Need to Sell ... (POLITICO Magazine)

John Harris is founding editor and global editor-in-chief of POLITICO. His Altitude column offers a regular perspective on politics in a moment of radical ...

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Jeff Bezos killed Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris ... (CNBC)

The Washington Post planned to endorse Kamala Harris over Donald Trump before owner Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, decided against it, the newspaper ...

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Image courtesy of "The Atlantic"

Cancel Amazon Prime, Not 'The Washington Post' (The Atlantic)

The subscription money enriching Jeff Bezos could instead be spent on the journalism crucial to preserving democracy.

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Image courtesy of "CNNMoney"

'An easy decision': Why ex-Washington Post editor resigned after ... (CNNMoney)

CNN's Erin Burnett speaks with ex-Washington Post editor-at-large Robert Kagan, who resigned from the paper after publisher Will Lewis announced the paper ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Washington National Opera's 'Fidelio' struggles to break free (The Washington Post)

Irish soprano Sinéad Campbell Wallace leads a strong cast in Francesca Zambello's new vision of Beethoven's sole opera.

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Image courtesy of "Vanity Fair"

“Cowardice”: Washington Post Blasted for Not Endorsing in 2024 (Vanity Fair)

The controversial move at the Jeff Bezos–owned paper follows the Los Angeles Times, owned by billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, also bucking tradition.

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