Those of us who live in Nashville, Tennessee know that the city's venerable daily newspaper, The Tennessean is often accused of liberal bias. In a place like Tennessee, playing politics down the middle, as I think the paper does, will certainly look "liberal."
Today The Tennessean made its presidential endorsement, and it has to be read to be believed.
Jump
On military and foreign policy
The president deserves credit for taking out much of al-Qaida’s leadership and ending the Iraq War on schedule.
Gov. Romney’s extensive business experience seems to have done nothing to prepare him for the world stage.
On social issues:
What will happen to the ability of women to control their health decisions and to achieve workplace equity under a Romney administration?
It depends on what day it is.
Romney has famously flip-flopped on abortion rights, the need for Planned Parenthood, access to contraceptives and health care reform in general, which disproportionately affects single mothers and lower-income women.
President Obama has established a fairly clear and popular record on women’s social issues, as well as on his desire to protect the government safety net for underserved Americans.
On healthcare and entitlements
With health care, we well know where Mr. Obama stands. The Affordable Care Act probably will be regarded as his landmark achievement,
We know that he actually has supported the very health reforms he says he will repeal, because his Massachusetts “Romneycare” was the model for “Obamacare.”
After all of that this:
The next president must be the one with the best chance to get the crushing, $16 trillion national debt under control, coupled with the more immediate need of enabling a vibrant job market.
It is because the economy is paramount that The Tennessean endorses Gov. Mitt Romney for president.
Despite this:
That said, there is real fear that a Romney administration, including his more conservative running mate, Paul Ryan, would go too far with austerity measures that could rip the social safety net. For that reason, the hope is that Romney, as president, would be a moderate influence, bringing both parties together on a debt-reduction plan that is firm but fair.
and this:
Gov. Romney: This endorsement was not an easy decision. You owe the American people more details about how you will keep taxes low, preserve social programs and build up the military, all while reducing the debt.
Really? This endorsement is based entirely on hoping that Romney will govern differently than he has campaigned. In fact, it seems entirely based on hoping the Romney will govern like Obama.
Is this a stealth endorsement of Obama?
I'm baffled.
[Uopdate] Ahhh! I forgot the link. Thanks to civil wingnut below.