The Daily Texan, newspaper for my alma mater, endorses Hillary Clinton. Fair enough—but really?:
But during Thursday's debate, Obama made a major gaffe in incorrectly stating that he had received endorsements from every major newspaper in Texas. We may not be considered a "major" paper to many, but we represent a crucial constituency of close to 50,000 young and enthusiastic voters, and we've been scrutinizing every move of the candidates leading up to today's endorsement. Sure, Obama took many under his spell when he graced our city with his presence early in his campaign, but we think he prematurely considered his work in Austin done.Aw come on you whiners! Obama wouldn't give you tickets so you're going to prove him wrong after the fact about saying he'd snagged every major newspaper endorsement? Posted by Kriston at February 29, 2008 5:42 PMWe've taken into account our communication with each campaign as an indication of how each candidate's government would function. Upon finding out the debate would not be open to students, Obama's campaign told us there was nothing they could do to get more students into the debate, whereas the Clinton camp was sympathetic in offering assistance. This makes us wonder how far Obama would go for us as president.
Man, I can't believe I used to work in the very office where that was written. Endorsing Hillary, not a problem. But making your editorial judgment seem incredibly small and pithy while simultaneously complaining that Obama didn't take you seriously -- big Horns Down.
Posted by: Matt W. at February 29, 2008 6:58 PMI am shocked, shocked that a college newspaper editorial seems small-minded, parochial, and petty.
This never happened at my alma mater's own The Daily Not Very Friggin' Likely.
Posted by: El Cid at March 1, 2008 3:13 PMMaybe they are hoping they can crush Mr. Obama under the weight of their own ego?
Posted by: harlequin at March 1, 2008 4:12 PMHook 'em whiners!
Posted by: Ezra at March 1, 2008 4:23 PMIt's worse than that. Obviously, (hopefully,) the Clinton campaign's sympathy about tickets wasn't the real driving force in this decision. She, Claire Harlin, was on CNN along with Evan Smith (Editor of Texas Monthly), I can't find link to the clip, but here is a excerpt from the transcript:
HARLIN: Yes. We endorsed Hillary today, which is probably going to be a big surprise for a lot of students, because Barack had a big presence in the UT community early on. He made two visits to Austin early, early in his career. And so, he really won the hearts of a lot of students from the beginning and so it's a big surprise for many, I think. But we're ready for Hillary to go in and clean up Bush's mess.
COLLINS: And Evan, but you agree completely with what she just said, right?
SMITH: Well, no.
COLLINS: No?
SMITH: But I will say, I think we don't endorse candidates as "The Daily Texan" does.
........later on....
COLLINS: All right. So I'm going to put you both on the spot before I let you go. Claire, who's going to win the nomination?
HARLIN: Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: Jeff M. at March 1, 2008 9:48 PMDang, I didn't realize it was Claire who wrote that. I worked with her briefly. She's a good reporter, sharp, and super-nice, but this editorial is a let down.
Posted by: Matt W. at March 2, 2008 12:26 PMI still hang out with some fellow ex-Texan alums -- was out with a couple last night. But looking back, I remember being inflated with a sense of my own self-importance. It may be a great college newspaper, but it's still a *college* newspaper.
Posted by: Devin at March 2, 2008 4:02 PMI just came across this and it is quite interesting. I just had to give my 2 cents. I go to UT and it was so messed up that they didnt hold the debates in a larger venue so more students could be included. The Daily Texan tried to submit videos with students' questions to the debate producers at CNN and they had no luck. So, I see where Claire is coming from in that the Clinton camp was working harder for students (not DT staff) to get tickets and make the debate more open to all, since it was, after all, on UT's campus!
Claire Harlin has written some things I don't agree with sometimes, but for the most part I am impressed with the guts she has to stand up for what she believes in whether or not everyone agrees with her. The guys at burnt orange report really got angry about her and un-endorsed her, but she came back strong. I dont agree with her endorsement, but I agree with her defense of it:
"I'm a journalist, not a politician.... meaning that I am not obligated to act according to my 'constituency.' The purpose of a newspaper and its endorsements is to open readers' eyes to new ideas and perspectives on issues, not to tell them what they want to hear or confirm what they already believe. What good does that serve?" (Burnt Orange Report)
