By Rick Pearson
ALLENTOWN, Pa.--The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, owned by longtime conservative Republican Richard Mellon Scaife, endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nominee in Pennsylvania's balloting Tuesday--an endorsement that raised some eyebrows given the somewhat tempestuous history that Scaife has had with the Clintons.
Allies of the former President Clinton accused Scaife of bankrolling opposition reporting of the Clinton White House and the newspaper, itself, acknowledged in its editorial endorsement that her decision to sit down with the newspaper "was courageous given our longstanding criticism of her."
"That is no small matter: Political courage is essential in a president. Clinton has demonstrated it; Obama has not. She has a real record. He doesn't. She has experience of value to a president. He doesn't," the newspaper's endorsement said.
In contrast to Obama, the newspaper editorial said "Clinton is far more experienced in government--as an engaged first lady to a governor and a president, as a second-term senator in her own right. She has a real voting record on key issues. Agree with her or not, you at least know where she stands instead of being forced to wonder."
But there is a bit of wonderment whether the Scaife paper endorsement isn't a backhanded push for Clinton in the way that Rush Limbaugh urged votes for her in the belief that she would be easier for Republicans to defeat in the fall.
The Tribune-Review is the largest newspaper in Pennsylvania to endorse Clinton--the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Scranton Times Tribune and the Tribune-owned The Morning Call of Allentown all have endorsed Obama
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Comments
A Neocon newspaper endorses Clinton?
Wow, big surprise.....NOT!
I guess it makes sense, afterall, Clinton is a Republican wannabe.
.
Posted by: Drain You | April 20, 2008 4:13 PM
This is absolute proof that Hillary Clinton will do or say anything to secure this nomination. Next she'll take an endorsement from Rush Limbaugh (or did she already?).
I can't wait to vote Tuesday. Can't wait.
Posted by: Susan in PA | April 20, 2008 4:18 PM
Obama said small town people are clinging to antipathy to people who aren't like them. You don't get to the White House by painting small town people as bigots. He won't disown his hate-filled racist pastor Wright (who married him and baptized his children, and who he says is like an uncle to him). Obamas association with shady characters like Ayers, Auchi and Rezko disqualifies him for President both judgment and character-wise. Wearing a flag pin during the last debate would have shown where he is coming from and put him ahead in the polls by next Tuesday. Oversight? I doubt it, and so do the majority of Americans. His behavior in the last debate shows he doesn't want to discuss the above things. That's because past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior, and he understands that people know this. But he does get some support. I guess that's because the more flawed the candidate, the more their equally flawed supporters identify with them. In other words, those who support Obama are of his own ilk.
Posted by: BillW | April 20, 2008 4:53 PM
Unfortunately, that is an indicator of how badly, some Americans do not want to see Senator Obama become our President. Even such a scoundrel, as Mr. Scaife, would rather see his arch-enemy's wife, win the Democratic nomination, than have it fall into the hands of Senator Obama. I hope it is not interpreted as a sad commentary on our social progress, here in America, in 2008!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 20, 2008 5:08 PM
He is not supporting her because he has changed his mind and now thinks she is the best candidate for the country. Rather, she is the best candidate for the Republicans and will be the easiest to take down.
Obama '08
Posted by: Okie | April 20, 2008 5:38 PM
Sounds like they came to bury Clinton, not to praise her.
Posted by: Tom J | April 20, 2008 5:58 PM
Hmmm... some more of that elitist attitude about conservative Pennsylvania. Yeh, guys... keep it up.
Mocking others works well also.
Even if one disagrees with poltical ideology, one can still respect the other person's courage and knowledge. And this endorsement said it all... Hillary has "political courage" and Obama does not.... Hillary has "commanding knowledge" and Obama does not.
Posted by: Nickberry | April 20, 2008 10:32 PM
George Will, another conservative says "She is 60. She left Yale Law School at age 25. Evidently she considers everything she has done since school, from her years at Little Rock's Rose Law Firm to her good fortune with cattle futures, as presidentially relevant experience. The president who came to office with the most glittering array of experiences had served 10 years in the House of Representatives, then became minister to Russia, then served 10 years in the Senate, then four years as secretary of state (during a war that enlarged the nation by 33 percent), then was minister to Britain. Then, in 1856, James Buchanan was elected president and in just one term secured a strong claim to being ranked as America's worst president. Abraham Lincoln, the inexperienced former one-term congressman, had an easy act to follow. "
Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 10:56 PM
Scaife would rather have McCain face Hillary in November. Anybody seriously think he's going to endorse Hillary or Obama in November?
Hillary will participate in this farce with her political enemy because she's desperate to posture like a fighter and needs something to spin, even this endorsement will do.
None of it matters because Hillary is done.
Posted by: strut2k | April 20, 2008 11:11 PM
Exactly right guys! This is a desperate attempt on the part of Scaif and club to bouy Hillary up! They know that Obama is the much tougher canditate...more powerful, honest, electable, refreshing.
McCain McSame,
Hillary Schillary! America needs a brilliant man like Obama.
Posted by: common sense | April 20, 2008 11:24 PM
Interesting? If Obama received the endorsement instead of Clinton, I'm sure you all would be saying something totally different. Very interesting...I believe that is called a double standard.
Posted by: pahqlle | April 21, 2008 1:41 AM
Even a sceptic is tempted to pray that Hillary loses.
She's the ugly pink bunny that just doesn't stop beating its drum, boring the hell out of you.
Good Lord, I'm tired of hearing her flat, brittle voice telling us what an experienced leader she is. This person who experience consists of sometimes donning an apron to bake cookies in the White House and fending off the brickbats of those who find her obnoxious and defending her ultra-sleazy husband.
One wonders if the poor people of Pennsylvania are really that pathetic that they'll vote for claims of visiting the state as a kid to go to a cottage with no modern conveniences. She who was raised in a very rich Chicago suburb. It's enough to make you puke.
Of course, her hollow claims miss the point entirely. People all over the world desperately need a fresh voice in that hellhole called Washington, and she's about as fresh as Richard Nixon.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | April 21, 2008 9:35 AM