The Newspaper Race

Quality Internet resources such as this blog and our colleagues' at electiontfs.blogspot.com are not the only places to find dedicated election coverage. Newspapers, one of our nation's oldest and most loved media forms, are very much involved in the race for the White House. Over the past few days, Barack Obama has added a few heavyweights to his already impressive list of print supporters. Today the Washington Post endorsed Obama "without ambivalence," as "the right man for a perilous moment." The Los Angeles Times backed Obama "without hesitation," offering its first endorsement since 1972. The Chicago Tribune, Obama's local newspaper, backed the Democratic Presidential nominee for the first time in its history. These three additions put Obama's endorsement count past 50, while McCain's trickles along at 16. The newspapers supporting Obama reach an audience of 5.8 million Americans. McCain's backers have a combined circulation of 1.6 million. Even though newspapers may be on the decline as a media format, they are still very much alive in our political process.

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