The American PressOverwhelmingly Votes for Obama

Seventy percent of newspapers across the Atlantic have shown a preference for the Democratic candidate, like the prestigious New York Times.

Every four years when the election of the future occupant of the White House approaches, most U.S. daily newspapers endorse one candidate or another. In recent weeks, from The New York Post to The Los Angeles Times via The Washington Post, the press across the Atlantic has clearly shown its preference through its editorial columns. And in this symbolic duel against John McCain, Obama is undoubtedly the winner.

In total, 134 newspapers have sided with the Democratic candidate, against 52 for his rival John McCain, according to the magazine Editor Publisher. This represents over 15 million daily publications. By way of comparison, the “competition” was much tighter in 2004: Democrat John Kerry was favored by 213 newspapers as opposed to 205 for George W. Bush.

In latest support for the Democrat Senator, the highly respected New York Times made its choice Friday in an editorial entitled, “Barack Obama for President. “The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership,” attacked the New York Times. “As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy,” says the newspaper. The “right choice” after “nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign”: “Senator Barack Obama,” wrote the newspaper, which had preferred Hillary Clinton during the selection process for the Democratic candidate.

And to list the qualities of its pick: “Growing as a leader,” “has shown a cool head,” and has “sound judgment.” That is why “we believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems,” asserted the New York Times.

The New York Post Chooses McCain

This editorial is still not a surprise. In 2004, the New York Times, the newspaper of center-left, had already indicated its preference for Democrat John Kerry, who was defeated by George W. Bush. And the paper chose Al Gore in 2000, who was also defeated by Bush. But this new support from the newspaper, most symbolically completes the idea that Obama is a “media darling.”

Before the New York Times, other prestigious newspapers have taken their pens to support Barack Obama. The Washington Post praised the “intelligence and insightful policies” of Barack Obama despite citing “reservations” about his “brief experience.” Not surprisingly, the progressive Los Angeles Times gushed about Obama, describing him as “cultured, eloquent, simple and exciting, consistent and mature.” The Chicago Tribune has also decided to declare its preference for Barack Obama, summarizing: “he is ready.” This is the first time since its founding in 1847, that the newspaper has favored a Democrat for the White House.

Despite the delay, John McCain can count on the support of the conservative Boston Herald, New York Post, Dallas Morning News or San Francisco Examiner. But the Republican candidate suffers from another drawback in the race for newspaper’s votes. A survey of the Project for Excellence in Journalism found that 57% of articles and radio reports on McCain since September were negative, as opposed to 14% which were positive. At the same time, his opponent accounted for 36% of positive reports compared to 29% which were negative reports. Since the beginning of the financial crisis, positive articles referencing McCain fell to 11%.