Newspaper Endorsements 2012: Obama Edges Ahead In Swing States

2012 Newspaper Endorsements
FAIRFAX, VA - OCTOBER 19: U.S. President Barack Obama holds a campaign rally at George Mason University October 19, 2012 in Fairfax, Virginia. Obama and his opponent, Republican presidential nominee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are battling for Virginia's 13 electoral votes, which Obama won in 2008. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA - OCTOBER 19: U.S. President Barack Obama holds a campaign rally at George Mason University October 19, 2012 in Fairfax, Virginia. Obama and his opponent, Republican presidential nominee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are battling for Virginia's 13 electoral votes, which Obama won in 2008. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

As the Nov. 6 election draws closer, newspapers around the country are printing official candidate endorsements.

The American Presidency Project tracks the 2012 general election editorial endorsements by the top 100 newspapers in the country, based on daily circulation.

Two publications with the highest circulation numbers, including the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, do not typically endorse candidates. Of the top ten newspapers, only one has announced its endorsement for the 2012 election. The Los Angeles Times endorsed President Barack Obama in its Oct. 21 edition. The publication also endorsed Obama in 2008.

In addition to the Los Angeles Times, papers in Colorado, Ohio and New Jersey came out in support of Obama over the weekend. Publications in Texas, New Hampshire and Ohio endorsed Romney.

According to Poynter, Obama is slightly ahead of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in swing state newspaper endorsements. Poynter looked at endorsements made by the state's highest circulated titles in 9 different swing states including Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The impact of newspaper endorsements is debatable as polls show that such endorsements are mostly influential during local races, as opposed to general elections.

Before You Go

#25: Detroit Free Press

2012 Newspaper Circulation Numbers

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