We know you can’t wait to read what the Bangor Daily News writes next on the editorial page and that you will agree with every one of our candidate endorsements.
Let us tell you upfront we’re looking forward to all the positive emails, letters and online comments that will come after we announce our picks for president, U.S. Senate and Congress. Truly, the feedback is a joy.
In fact, this year, with a tight presidential race and a six-person U.S. Senate contest to replace a political giant like Olympia Snowe, we’re not anticipating much negative reaction to anything we write. Readers, after all, know we’re always correct.
We hope you get our point: Can you imagine a Maine where no one debated one another? Disagreement, as you know well, dear reader, is where conversation gets good. It’s where people learn.
That’s why we endorse candidates — to start or continue the conversation. You don’t have to agree with the endorsements we write. But at the very least, we hope they make you think.
Endorsements should propel debate that helps people make decisions.
If we regularly explain our opinion on major issues that affect Mainers — such as state budgets, energy, federal policies, taxes, health care, economic development — why wouldn’t we also tell you our thoughts about some of the state’s most important future decision-makers?
We talk to people every day about state and local problems. An election gives us the opportunity to explain which candidates appear to offer the clearest, most pragmatic ideas about ways to tackle issues and improve Mainers’ livelihoods.
By figuring out whom to endorse, we go through what voters experience. We consider the options and make a decision based on candidates’ vision and qualifications. In most cases, we’ve had a chance to meet at length with the candidates, which helps inform our choice.
In the end, our decision to endorse candidates for president, U.S. Senate and Congress, and to write endorsements on Questions 1-5, is based on our mission: “We report the news of Maine every day, honestly and with integrity; we advocate for the best interests of Maine; we improve life in Maine by connecting people through information.”
Not to mention, we know you will vote for whomever we recommend.
Speaking of the elections, where is your coverage of the Rockland City Council debate. You remember, the debate that your paper ran.
It’s true. It’s all true!
LOL!!! Got’sta love it!!
No surprises in what’s coming from BDN and their endorsements is there? Anyone? Seriously?!
Agreed. I can’t imagine there’s very much debating going on in the BDN editorial offices.
Sure there is: “Should we put the story about Romney biting the heads off chickens above or below the fold?”
You three are a poor match for sarcasm compared to the BDN.
I wouldn’t be so sure. Many liberal publications will be supporting Romney this time around. It’s human nature to want to be on the winning side. Plus, based on the utter failure of Obama and his lack of any plan or change from his 2008 positions, it’s easy to explain why they might support someone with whom they may have some disagreements.
Olympia, please come back
She’s not gone yet.
Don’t worry too much, BDN, no one takes your endorsements seriously anymore.
Guess you won’t comment then, huh? Fine with me.
I think people, especially Republicans, have a lot more fun pretending that they’re constantly being victimized. That they’re never at fault and there are always these grand conspiracies working against them. That this evil liberal media bias is pervasive and that they’ll never get a fair shake at life with all these gays and illegals running around.
Don’t bother explaining why you endorse. Rational people already know the purpose of it and the rest will scream that they’re the victims regardless.
There’s probably a psychological term for that pervasive R affliction.
What a hoot – your selective memory has chosen to forget the Crybab….err…Democrats whining about the all-pervasive influence of talk radio and their pathetic cyclical attempts to bring back the fairness doctrine.
Those with the ability to think critically can see a vast difference in the approach, however. R’s recognize the right to free speech, while D’s want to shut down anything with an opinion contrary to their own.
I’m glad you’re great with personal attacks, but you should really work on trying to have more substantive responses.
Plenty of substance in my post:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine
See under “Reinstatement Considered.” Read it slowly. Note how they’re all Democrats.
You say that R’s are have a victimhood personality? And you’re complaining about personal attacks? Pot, meet kettle.
You started to call me a crybaby — that’s a personal attack. I understand you have an obsession with doublespeak and ignoring reality, but that’s a personal attack. Period.
And reinstated the fairness doctrine to ending free speech is quite the leap. Cool it with the hyperbole.
The distinction between hyperbole and thoughtful discourse and honest discussion is something that’s difficult to get from people with such strong partisan bias.
people ask if i’m liberal or conservative, i just respond that i’m a rationalist. i look at each issue and make a rational judgment, based on what is best for society. 9 times out of 10 on social issues, i favor a progressive answer. i suspect most media outlets do the same, and there is much truth in the statement “reality leans left.” there isn’t a liberal conspiracy, its just that on the hot button social issues that get the “clicks”, the rational answer is usually the liberal answer. the answers to fiscal issues tend to be a bit hairier, and less cut and dry, and they (sadly) get less coverage.
No, you aren’t a rationalist. You are a hard core leftie. You just don’t like to be labeled a liberal and I don’t blame you there.
that’s quite a talent, being able to tell so much about a person from a single, vague post. label me what you will, liberal isn’t a dirty word, nor anything to be ashamed of, especially concerning social issues. i make my decisions based on reason, logic, compassion and research. is it good for society? is it good for the individual? is anyone harmed? is it constitutional? what are the repercussions? what are the costs? what are the benefits? show some introspection, friend, and you may inadvertently find yourself leaning a little to the left as well.
We know all your endorsements will be for Democrats and Independents that are really Democrats. If you really wanted to do us a valueable service you would point out each candidates position on the issues, without side comments, and let us use our own brains.
That’s rich. If you haven’t been reading the articles on candidates positions you’ve only yourself to blame.
Maine needs to invest more in adult literacy programs.
Isn’t it great that a corporation like the BDN has the right to free speech? I love how the founders guaranteed freedoms to collective groups of people in the 1st Amendment.
Doesn’t it seem silly when liberals ignore this basic concept, determine that corporations aren’t individuals and thus don’t have rights to free speech, but yet fully embrace news organizations’ (print, radio, tv – and all of them collective bodies of people) right to endorse candidates/topics?
Just sayin’.
Well you know free speech is for liberal corporations…. not so much for the rest of us.
That’s why all your posts are editorialized to take the sting out of what you say;)
Don’t tell Karl Rove.
Without a doubt, the endorsements will be straight democrat and I do realize that you will endorse Angus King who is running as an independent but his politics are straight democrat. What will be amazing is your reasoning for sticking with Obama, the hands down worst president in this nations history. I look forward to that.
Oh, well, as we get farther away from the legacy of The Evil Bush, Obama’s brilliance and natural goodness will have a chance to shine through… provided we elect a Democratic Congress.
Also, Obama should be given a chance to finish the job.
Also, racism!
In 1790 Philip Freneau set up a newspaper in Philadelphia just to thrash A. Hamilton and the Federalists who had their own newspaper thrashing T. Jefferson & J. Madison.
In an Oct. 11, 1860 editorial the New York Times endorsed “Mr. Lincoln, of Illinois” for president. (They got that one right.)
Don’t expect newspapers to stop this exercise any time soon or to be any less partisan than they always have been. Relax & enjoy the show.
Lets see. You will endorse
Obama
King
Mishard
Gay Marriage .
other Dem’s.
Just saved you the time of writing your editorial.
Chellie Pingree, too. Don’t forget her. Or the bond issues.
Sorry!
Do we wonder what was behind the Portland Press Herald’s decision not to endorse any candidates this year?
Deeeeeerrrrr, is this a joke. (quote from old radio show, Duffy’s Tavern)