Concord Monitor forgoes #fitn endorsement
Three other New Hampshire papers have endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar's candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Unlike other local newspapers in the state, the Concord Monitor wonât endorse a candidate in New Hampshireâs first-in-the-nation 2020 presidential primary.
The stateâs capital paper has historically spent months interviewing candidates one at a time before agonizing over an endorsement decision, but the Monitor â working with a notably smaller staff this year than it had in past cycles â has revised its priorities, editor Steve Leone wrote in an editorial Sunday.
âThis was not an easy decision, but it was one guided by what we see as our central mission in our communities,â Leone wrote. âIn a world where opinions increasingly come from all directions, our value, we believe, is in providing our readers with local journalism rooted in solid reporting.â
âOur decision is indicative of the changes happening across our industry,â he added. âWith fewer resources, weâve had to make some hard choices, both in coverage and philosophy.â
Leone went on to explain how the Monitor has sought to keep readers informed about the candidatesâ ground game, without as many staffers available to trace the campaign trail.
Others endorse Klobuchar
The Monitorâs non-endorsement comes as other notable Granite State newspapers have come out in favor of Sen. Amy Klobucharâs candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
New Hampshire Union Leader: âAmy Klobuchar can winâ (Jan. 26):
Trump doesnât want to face her. He is hoping for Bernie, Biden, Buttigieg or Warren. Each has weaknesses, whether of age, inexperience or a far-left agenda that thrills some liberals but is ripe for exploitation in a mainstream general election.
Sen. Klobuchar has none of those weaknesses and the incumbent needs to be presented a challenger who is not easily dismissed.
Keene Sentinel: âAmy Klobuchar is the Democrats' best choice to move the nation forwardâ (Jan. 27):
The senior senator from Minnesota and former county attorneyâs platform is not based on revolutionary ideas, but on achievable ones. Klobuchar is, in that way, a true moderate in these times. Whip-smart and knowledgeable, sheâs set on progress, but tempered by the political realities a new president would face.
Seacoast Media Group: âAmy Klobuchar can unite Americaâ (Jan. 31):
We believe Klobucharâs moderate positions will be attractive to right-leaning independents and disaffected Republicans looking for an alternative to President Donald Trump. This will be an advantage in the general election. America needs a healing voice with a willingness to take a bipartisan approach on major issues.
Despite winning the approval of these newspaper editorial boards, Klobucharâs performance in the polls suggests a first-place finish in New Hampshireâs primary is unlikely. Klobuchar has consistently polled behind four others: former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.