PA College Newspaper Endorses Hillary

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 12:54:29 PM EST
Tags: Hillary Clinton, 2008 (all tags)

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The Daily Pennsylvanian today endorsed Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama in the state's primary.

"We want to believe that Sen. Barack Obama can accomplish all he promises. His soaring rhetoric and compelling vision have inspired us and many other students," the endorsement said. "But while Obama's charisma far outshines that of Sen. Hillary Clinton, her public service, political experience and tenacity tell us not only 'Yes we can' but also 'How we can.' As such, we endorse Clinton for the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
"Our endorsement is not a rejection of Obama's leadership qualities. But choosing the president of the United States is too important a decision to make based on hope alone," the paper continued. "After finishing his term in the Senate and better showing us what he can do for the American people, Obama could one day be a remarkable president. Clinton, on the other hand, is ready to lead this nation now. A successful champion for change, her experience in the Senate and as first lady gives her a better understanding of how Washington works. She has the ability to turn policy into reality. And her mastery of causes central to the Democratic Party's platform makes her better suited to challenge presumptive Republican nominee John McCain."

These are pretty much the reasons I expressed earlier today. I'm glad I'm not alone. Hopefully by PA primary day, it will be the majority opinion of PA voters.

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PA College Newspaper Endorses Hillary | 43 comments (43 topical)

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This is excellent writing (5.00 / 6) (#1)
by abfabdem on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:01:24 PM EST

I love the "How We Can" because that was exactly what I heard last night. Obama seems stuck on emotions--from hope to bitterness. Bush has left this country in a huge mess and we need someone who will roll up their sleeves and get to work. She knows exactly what needs to be done. A new President only has so many days of a honeymoon period to gain traction. I'm just afraid it would take him too long to get up to speed and this window would be lost.

PS - I also loved how the college students on TV went from being evenly divided before the debate and after, only one was still for Obama.

The How We Can line (5.00 / 4) (#18)
by bjorn on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:39:06 PM EST

should be picked up by Clinton, what a great motto! Very bright students in PA!


: Second That (5.00 / 1) (#47)
by cal1942 on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 07:09:36 PM EST

Hooray for Penn. Good sense. Absolutely nails it.
Dr. Franklin is smiling.

One data point (5.00 / 4) (#2)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:03:08 PM EST

This campaign has raised my opinion of Hillary, and lowered that of BHO.

Wow, that's impressive... (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by stefystef on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:08:36 PM EST

I remember when a Texas college (I think U of T, but I'm not sure) endorsed Hillary and they got alot of crap about it. But they were correct in their analysis of Hillary's abiliities as a leader and capability to make real change in this country.

Good for the Daily Pennsylvanian for really looking at the issues and past the hype.

Yes (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by sumac on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:35:36 PM EST

The UT paper, The Daily Texan, endorsed Hillary right here in the middle of Austin (Obama country) and I was proud of them (having earned a Masters in journalism for UT). It was actually a pretty big deal given the widespread readership of the Texan.

Does anyone know anything about the readership of the Daily Pennsylvanian? Their endorsement is perfect pitch IMO.


: really only students (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by AgreeToDisagree on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:43:39 PM EST

but since it was publicized a bit the online version should be read by some more people...

I love how this (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Lena on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:11:51 PM EST

flies in the face of the idea that younger voters are all flocking to Obama.

It's especially gratifying because a couple of weekends ago, when I was at a street art festival, a college-age guy walked by wearing a t-shirt that said "Bros before hos".

Although that sight underlined the misogyny against HRC for me, it also made me wonder whether advertising like that turns more people off of Obama than it attracts. The hopeful part of me says that it does.

Significant (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by felizarte on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:11:51 PM EST

especially coming from students. This is normally a group where Obama does very well. Very encouraging news indeed.

: its a nice bit of news locally... but won't matter (none / 0) (#34)
by AgreeToDisagree on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:42:33 PM EST

much across the state. Obama has had the majority of college ones... although we've never heard about them on TL before...
http://www.uwire.com/election-08-endorsements

Count me in (5.00 / 4) (#6)
by BarnBabe on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:17:35 PM EST

Hopefully by PA primary day, it will be the majority opinion of PA voters.

All kidding aside, I can not wait to vote on Tuesday. I was ready right after Texas and Ohio. AND, I do not know of one person in my acquaintance in Penna who is voting for Obama. Having said that, I am aware that Philly might be the problem.

BTW, I had to read your headline twice. I originally read it: Endorses Obama. Just out of habit I guess. Then I read your first sentence and went, hey, cool. For once. This is impressive because they got it. They caught the escense of the debate and noticed the difference. Plan/Hope for the best. I do not wish the next 4 years on anyone because GW leaves us with such a mess. His usual MO. But if there is someone who has half a chance it would be the person who has been there, done that before. It might not have been as bad when #41 left, but it was a mini version of what we have now. Two wars, overcharged credit cards, high gas prices, out of control budget, and once again, it is the economy. Cheers to the PA College Newspaper for taking the blinders off and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

: Not that they had blinders on to begin with. (none / 0) (#9)
by BarnBabe on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:24:06 PM EST

Hey, Preview, post. Ooops.

Newspaper endorsements have little sway on voters, (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by Prabhata on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:23:38 PM EST

but I'll take the "little sway". Every little bit helps.

: UPenn (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by AgreeToDisagree on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:40:45 PM EST

does have a good reputation in the Philly area though...

They center in (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by madamab on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:31:14 PM EST

on many supporters' reasons for voting for Hillary. It's not that we hate Obama, although at this point I don't like him very much; it's that we genuinely prefer her experience, leadership qualities and ability to get things done.

It aint over till its over (5.00 / 3) (#23)
by nell on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:57:12 PM EST

and until you respect that, you will not make headway with Clinton supporters. Preaching about how OBAMA WILL BE THE NOMINEE and unless you want a long list of scary, scary things to happen you WILL VOTE FOR HIM is just foolish. Obama will be the nominee when he earns 2,025 delegates or more when FL and MI are counted (which is a must or he will not be a legitimate nominee). If you are so sure he will be the nominee, just relax and stop lecturing Clinton supporters about how we HAVE to vote for him. He needs to win this thing, there is no reason in the world that Hillary needs to hand it to him. While she has her weaknesses, SO DOES HE. He hasn't been able to put this thing away yet. When and if he does, he will be the nominee. In the meantime, you should focus on getting Clinton supporters to understand in a positive way why one should support Obama without fear tactics and also respect the fact that she is still in the race and there are a lot of us loyal Clinton supporters who are not even thinking about moving away from her.


: Right on! (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by stefystef on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 02:13:42 PM EST

Let the process play out. This is supposed to be a democracy. Let's act like it.
I think Markos is going nuts over at DailyKos. That's why I stopped going to that site. It got too crazy, too hateful.

So it's just a big middle finger to the (none / 0) (#25)
by MarkL on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 02:13:19 PM EST

Clinton supporters? Support your tomato can or else?
Ugh.


Seriously (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by nell on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:35:01 PM EST

Stop it. They are endorsing a candidate on EACH side - the fact that the editorial staff can see the appeal of McCain to Republicans does not make them crazy right wingers, it means that they can be balanced. The University of Pennsylvania is a very liberal school, like most ivy league schools, and one of the most diverse.

Would you go on to suggest that every newspaper that has endorsed Obama and McCain must also be a right wing rag?

'Yes we can' but also 'How we can.' (5.00 / 5) (#16)
by TheRefugee on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:36:11 PM EST

That is what Obama supporters don't care about. they care about the positive rhetoric but not the details. So happy that a group of college students finally bothered to note the thing that has been so apparent to me.

Hillary is better at policy, she knows the issues, she has the data. Obama, today at his speech continued his oblivious course of deflection. "Voters don't want to spend forty minutes on baggage, they want to talk about the issues, the economy, the mortgage crisis...blah blah"

But while he is great at bringing up the issues he NEVER talks about how he will address those issues. Yea, people want to talk about the issues, but they want to know HOW those issues will be dealt with...WTG Daily Pennsylvanian...hopefully more will catch on to what you are saying.

what issue do you want to know about that Obama (none / 0) (#37)
by AgreeToDisagree on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:46:23 PM EST

hasn't spoken about. He's got detailed plans on everything. if you have a question, I can lead you in the right direction. He is right to point out that people don't want to listen to a debate on a bunch of BS but rather the issues... pretty obvious to me.


Import and domestic food safety. (none / 0) (#39)
by nycstray on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:57:59 PM EST

just search a little... (none / 0) (#41)
by AgreeToDisagree on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 04:13:27 PM EST

"When I am President, it will not be business as usual when it comes to food safety. I will provide additional resources to hire more federal food inspectors. I will also call on the Department of Agriculture to examine whether federal food safety laws need to be strengthened, in particular to provide greater protections against tainted food being used in the National School Lunch Program.
"As the parent of two young daughters, there are few issues more important to me than ensuring the safety of the food that our children consume. I commend the Humane Society of the United States for bringing this important issue to the public attention and believe that the mistreatment of downed cows is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to public health."

he has also stated that:

The U.S. needs to have inspectors on site in China, as Japanese officials do for food safety inspections.

i'm sure you could find more if you spent more than the one minute i spent looking...


: anything concrete? (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by nycstray on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 04:36:39 PM EST

I have searched, and that's about all I found at the time. Generalities (and I believe there is already a call out for more inspectors). I like specifics in some of these areas. Especially from senators since I know these issues are crossing their desks. I like seeing statements like this:
http://tinyurl.com/4ppuby

: Not too impressive... (none / 0) (#44)
by amroth on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 04:43:21 PM EST

His stated policy is fluff. Last time I checked, it was Congress that made laws, not the executive branch. The job of the Dept of Agriculture is to enforce laws and to write regulations to that effect. He's a lawyer--he should know that. Similarly, he can't provide resources--he has to work with Congress to get them to do that as well. How's he going to do all that when his entire history is about avoiding difficult issues and controversies?

GMOs and Organic Farming (none / 0) (#40)
by nycstray on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 04:01:02 PM EST

There's Lots But This Stands Out (none / 0) (#48)
by cal1942 on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 07:30:52 PM EST

Want specifics? Obama says he'll keep Blackwater and their peers. Hillary says Blackwater and their peers are out.

This is consistency for Hillary. She's also committed to replace contract employees with civil servants, reversing the madness of GOP privatization.

She understands how badly the executive branch has been trashed and exactly how to reverse the damage.

Obama. Not so much.


You're not alone, (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by Andre on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:37:50 PM EST

J, I feel exactly the way that editorialist feels, and you feel. I think HRC is an opportunity we should not let go by. She knows totally what she's getting into (like no one else, except her husband) and she has the intelligence and determination to do the job well, which, after watching her these many months, I think she will do well. If she gets in, for instance, we will see significant health care reform. And I think, if we keep her on track and cover for her, she will be a very progressive president, and, as her daughter said, she will be better than her husband. And we have the tools for keeping her on the progressive track. Additionally, IT IS TIME FOR US TO HAVE A WOMAN PRESIDENT!

U Penn student endorsement, (5.00 / 2) (#21)
by noholib on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:55:50 PM EST

What a great statement from the student editors at the University of Pennsylvania. Clear, to the point, concise, and concerned. How I wish that we'll have the benefits of Senator Clinton's intelligence, commitment, mastery of policy, and knowledge of the intricacies of Washington working to solve this country's problems at the very highest level! I really think she could be an outstanding President.

: Good For Them (5.00 / 2) (#24)
by MO Blue on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 02:04:55 PM EST

An informed voter needs to be aware of the warts of their candidate as well as their strong suits. Turning politicians into heros is not good for democracy IMO. ALL politicians need to be held accountable by the people of this country. It is easy to criticize a politician and almost impossible to do to a hero.

good for them (5.00 / 5) (#22)
by proudliberaldem on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:56:09 PM EST

Thoughtful endorsement. I am a college professor and have active Clinton supporters and active Obama supporters in my classes. They are (much like TL and BTD) insightful, articulate and respectful in their explanations for supporting their candidate, and are also willing to criticize their candidate when they feel he or she warrants it. So much smarter and classier than many of the talking (or blogging) heads. When I get discouraged by people like Kos, I think of these students.

Swingstater (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by Jeralyn on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 02:15:50 PM EST

the poster swingstater is the formerly banned ObamaMama. Swingstater's account and comments have been erased.

Ain't loyalty grand? (none / 0) (#28)
by Fabian on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 02:34:51 PM EST

What did we do to deserve loyal trolls?


: Giving a troll any attention (none / 0) (#45)
by digdugboy on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:03:20 PM EST

is enough to elicit its loyalty. I can humbly claim some expertise at trolling, on other blogs and on usenet. The best thing to do for trolls is to give them no feedback whatsoever. If people could maintain that kind of discipline, trolls would lose interest fairly quickly.
Unfortunately, there is always somebody who believes that somehow, he or she can say just the right thing that will make the troll reexamine its whole raison d'etre. Or at least hurt the troll's feelings. Bzzzzzzt. Wrong answer, Lois Lane.
A troll laughs at insults directed toward it. He or she is always better than the opposition at pushing buttons and remaining immune from emotional responses. Perhaps you recall the scene from Blade Runner: "It is a test designed to elicit . . . an emotional response." A troll is designed to elicit . . . an emotional response.
The worst trolls are energy vampires. They feed off eliciting emotional responses from others. Less virulent trolls just get amusement by watching other people behave stupidly.
In my trolling career I have gone head to head with the worst trolls on the entirety of the internet -- the weirdos at alt.usenet.kooks -- and have made nearly all of them blow their stacks. I limit my trolling now to those who engage in bullying. I hate bullying, expecially group bullying.

Nicely written endorsement (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by digdugboy on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:04:48 PM EST

and although I consider myself an Obama supporter I find myself in nearly complete agreement with it.

I would not be troubled if Hillary were the nominee. The unfortunate reality, though, is that her campaign screwed up beyond belief in this cycle and she has very little chance of overcoming the long odds against her now. According to one analysis of the delegate race in PA, district by district, it is possible that even if Hillary wins PA by 5% Obama could net 5 more delegates out of PA than Hillary.

I'm not trying to fire up the outrage machine about how undemocratic the candidate selection process is. I am just stating what appears to be plain fact. Obama's picked up another 4 superdelegates in the past day or so. In order for Hillary to get to 2025, if the pledged delegates fall as predicted the rest of the way out, she needs 3 superdelegates for every 1 superdelegate Obama gets. I just can't see that happening. Can you?

: I appreciate your fairness (none / 0) (#50)
by eleanora on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 08:08:23 PM EST

so very much and understand your reasoning, but Senator Obama can't reach the necessary delegates without SD's either. Also, MI/FL are going to have to be dealt in somehow, IMO, which makes the final count needed 2214 or ~2119 (if they go with the 50% original penalty.) Once he hits the magic number, we'll stand down and accept it. But this primary race is the closest in forever, and I'm full of hope that she'll pull this off :)

Obama is a Faith-Based Candidate (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by Exeter on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:23:20 PM EST

Is the shorter version of this editorial.

There is no substantial history of electability or fighting for progressive values. He has no notable achievements on his resume. His candidacy is based entirely on faith: faith that he will get elected president, faith that he has progressive values, and faith that he will have the ability to implement a progressise agenda if he gets in there.

Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by pluege on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:26:34 PM EST

The quote is exactly right - Obama's time is not now, HRC's is. At this point, Obama would make a super VP to HRC and it would give him 8 years of incubation to grow into being a great POTUS. If only his ego could get out of the way.

Exactly.... (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by carrienae on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:57:36 PM EST

my thinking.
There is an urgency in this country. We need Hillary to lead in fixing our country's issues. We have no time to teach Obama about the policies of this country and hope his people will be the right people to solve our problems. Majority of the people associated with him in his so-called movement sounds more like the "neo-libs" (the answer to the neo-cons). We need specifics and the no doubt attitude to change the course of the country to solutions. We need to bring back the real essence of the Democratic Party -- the party of the people and for the people.
We need our country back!!!!!!

Implication (none / 0) (#12)
by Stellaaa on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:33:08 PM EST

That Hillary is right wing? Did you read the editorial?

Her endorsement not on the news (none / 0) (#36)
by waldenpond on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 03:45:34 PM EST

but Obama's is... the person who made a paper endorsement for Obama (Sandra something)... Clinton has experience of a sort, she has 14 more years on earth. Increasingly clear who the choice was, discussed as a board, we met with both candidates, it was an easy decision. What you need to lead a country is the ability to ,? (sorry, missed it) what is needed at this time, easy decision.

The woman was rather unpleasant. sigh

Hoo, cool! (none / 0) (#46)
by BrandingIron on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:14:30 PM EST

Maybe the Daily Penn = the Daily Texan, in terms of how the voting will turn out. Sure sound like some of the college kids are actually listening to reason and not going with the Idol Star.

Kudos to PA (none / 0) (#49)
by mg7505 on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 07:48:37 PM EST

students! Meanwhile, look at what the editorial board of Harvard's daily (the Crimson) wasted words on today: "The Bitter End: Hillary Clinton's Response to Barack Obama's Comments on Rural America is Deplorable." More non-news, more Hillary-hating from the Ivy League. These folks could learn something from the PA students.