Why After 75 Years, Esquire Endorsed a Presidential Candidate

Two years ago, in our issue that hit newsstands a month before the midterm elections, we decided to make a statement about how important the '06 elections were (and how important it was for our readers to participate) that we endorsed a candidate in every federal election in the country, and for good measure, in gubernatorial races as well. It was an insane thing for a magazine with a small staff to do--compile dossiers on well over a thousand candidates and potential candidates and then make a choice in each of nearly 500 races and justify that choice in a few pointed words. The reaction was astounding--candidates we opposed trashed us on their sites and in their local papers; candidates we favored announced it in every way they could.

This year, in an election year in which the stakes are even higher, there was no real decision to make. We were going to reprise the "Endorsement Package." In honor of the election, the entire November issue became the "endorsement issue," stuffed with impassioned recommendations to our readers. One of those endorsements is for Barack Obama to become the next President of the United States. It's a thoughtful, lengthy, slightly intemperate piece of writing, and by no means hagiographic. The endorsement expresses our frustrations with Obama's candidacy and his campaign at least as much as it makes the case for what it is we hope he can accomplish. As much as any other factor, we made this endorsement out of a determination that a continuation of the Bush era is simply unthinkable. We do see Senator Obama as a transformational figure, but we did not recommend against John McCain lightly. Over the past two years, we've published four substantive pieces about Senator McCain, including one cover profile. He's a man we have long respected and liked, but the man running for president is a very different man from the John McCain we wrote about two years ago, or 8 months ago, or just a few weeks ago.

Comments

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

...or a few hours ago.

[AnAmericanWoman]

watch the stocks rise when obama is elected!

[JustLynn]

Have never bought an issue of Esquire magazine but I will be proudly buying my first copy this week....

[Bitsko]

The annual Dubious Achievement Awards issue is a hoot.

[rose london]

Me too. I have never buy Esquire mag, but on my way to Campus today I WILL BUY ONE NOW AND FOREVER.


GOOBAMALONDONANDFROMALLOVERTHEWORLD. YES WE CAN.

[UNCLEJOE]

I'll buy my first copy of Esquire this week, in 85 years, but not my last.
Thank you for your courage and patriotism.

[DASChicago]

"That One" is now "The One", Thanks for the Endorsement can't wait.

[AtheistUS]

When Obama is elected, the whole world will feel a great relief: we Americans are not as bad as Bush/Cheney wanted to make us.

Obama/Biden 2008

[NotMcCain]

I have a fantasy--that on November 5, George Bush invites Obama to begin setting up his government and making the speeches, setting the tone, and basically ....PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP WE DESPERATELY NEED>

By admitting his own failure in this regard, GWB would actually show a glimmer of patriotism.

Our problems are too severe to limp along for another 2 1/2 months before we get a change. President Obama might be able to calm the nation--and the world--by presenting different policies and, most of all, different leadership style (I think he might even hold a summit--issue joint statements with leaders around the world--SOMETHING BOLD, that would calm and reassure world markets).

Of course he can't solve the financial problems so quickly, but much of what has happened this week is PSYCHOLOGICAL, mass hysteria, not really rational---and leadership could make a huge difference in that respect.

On the other hand, every time GWB gives his "reassuring" talk...the market drops.

I expect more of the same tomorrow.....and every week until January 20, unless he has the courage to say, "We need a change NOW. Here, Mr. President."

Desperate times require desperate measures.

[ohohyeah]

Lovely idea. Very idealistic. What would he do with CHENEY?

[loudyk]

I agree with Esquire regarding not knowing who McCain is anymore. He is a complete stranger. Erratic, flip-flopping, and very angry.....or maybe this is finally the real McCain emerging. Scary. I commend and thank Esquire for the endorsement for Obama.

[GaryWolf]

I can understand the ambivalence about McCain. But the conventional wisdom has been that the McCain of 2000 would not vote for the McCain of 2008.

[sclucie]

what a true statement.

[Ged2012]

The only correction I would like to tell Esquire is that Obama has defined the CHANGE that he wants in an ad several weeks ago. His change is not as thin as fragile ice, as Esquire puts it.

[armason]

Gotta rush our and get a copy for my collection. I want my children and grandcildren to read about this magnificant, intelligent, determined young man,

[JonW]

Esquire has joined the New Yorker in endorsing Obama. The tidal wave has begun!!

[GiannaX]

Two early votes for Obama today from our household in Southern California!!

[YouDisgustMe]

nice!

[GV97]

Our Early voting starts Oct.20th and 2 white Jewish Senior votes will be cast for Obama/Biden
for a brighter future for our grandchildren and for yours.

[GuyFawkes]

So Obama is now pallin' around with Esquire magazine?

[jelow]

Congratulations! You are now part of the mainstream media.

[CamJam]

I'll be sure to pick up a copy of this issue. Sounds interesting...

What also gave me yet another clue to how McCain really is (and is not) is this exchange of letters between Obama and McCain way back in early 2006 (long before they became presidential candidates):

http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama_and_sen_mccain_exchange_letters_on_ethics_reform/

[mscriblerus]

That McCain letter was so vitriolic, he should have just dropped the collegial trappings and sent him a photo copy of his middle finger. What an angry man.

[CaliTLC]

McCain's letter reflects that he was already losing it.

[Alaskan99577]

It really shows how Obama will be able to handle disagreements and differences of opinion with people in the US gov't and others with respect, openness and a willingness to work through those differences. McCain just might alienate the rest of the free world.

[prunebush]

WOW! Everyone stop what you're doing and go look at the above link. NOW! Take 3 minutes to read these 3 letters. They tell you everything you need to know about the two men who are our esteemed presidential candidates.

McCain obviously has a screw loose, and Senator Obama is a rare statesman.

Send this link out as a mass email.

Thanks, CamJam, for bringing this to our attention.

[azcamp]

This suggests that John McCain is losing his ability to process information in a rational way. Sounds like his short-term memory is failing because he is unable to remember the outcome of meetings and he over reacts to dissenting opinions.

The American people have a right to question the mental health of a candidate, regardless of age, when behavior is more than just moody. I am more convinced each day that McCain's behavior under stress is scary.