The Arizona Republic newspaper has been around since 1890. Before telephones were common, automobiles were on the road, and Arizona was even a state. In all those years its conservative editorial board has never — not once — endorsed a Democrat for president.
Until today.
Arizonans woke up this morning to discover the states largest newspaper is backing Hillary Clinton and not Donald Trump.
“This reflects a deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles,” begins the editorial. “This year is different. The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified. That’s why, for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat for president.”
The Republic, which posted photographs of the 126 years worth of GOP presidential candidates it had previously supported, slammed the character of the billionaire reality TV host.
“Donald Trump’s long history of objectifying women and his demeaning comments about women during the campaign are not just good-old-boy gaffes. They are evidence of deep character flaws. They are part of a pattern. Trump mocked a reporter’s physical handicap. Picked a fight with a Gold Star family. Insulted POWs. Suggested a Latino judge can’t be fair because of his heritage. Proposed banning Muslim immigration. Each of those comments show a stunning lack of human decency, empathy and respect. Taken together they reveal a candidate who doesn’t grasp our national ideals.”
Trump is also criticized for not releasing his tax returns, and not being steady enough to handle America’s nuclear launch codes.
“The challenges the United States faces domestically and internationally demand a steady hand, a cool head and the ability to think carefully before acting. Hillary Clinton understands this. Donald Trump does not. Clinton has the temperament and experience to be president. Donald Trump does not.”
The editorial states that Clinton has flaws, including her poor decision making on keeping a private email server. But in comparison to the decision making of Trump, she’s the clear choice.
“Clinton retains her composure under pressure. She’s tough. She doesn’t back down. Trump responds to criticism with the petulance of verbal spit wads. That’s beneath our national dignity. When the president of the United States speaks, the world expects substance. Not a blistering tweet.”
Other conservative newspapers, including the Cincinnati Enquirer, Dallas Morning News and Houston Chronicle, have also endorsed Clinton this past month. The Cincinnati Enquirer called Trump, “a clear and present danger” to the country.