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

[Chansmom]

I'm glad to see there are many that have eyes wide open when it comes to McCain. True, he's not the same guy he was, say, a year ago. Yes, I've admitted I once liked him and was amazed by his verbage, but no more. He's a mean spirited little troll who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants and wouldn't be satisfied if he did. Look at his life and the Rolling Stone article, he's a big abusive baby.

[kiss01]

Thank you Esquire for your ringing endorsement of OBAMA. It takes great courage and vision to make a stand for what is RIGHT & PROPER thing to do. The rest of this planet with glady rejoyce with America on 5th Nov, when OBAMA is elected as the 44th President of USA. It will be a GREAT DAY for all humanity.
Esquire you have made the ONLY RIGHT CHOICE. Congratulations and keep up the good work.

[Boadicea]

The whole world is going to erupt in celebration if Obama wins. It will say so many things about America - that we really are who we say we are. That we recognize that the last 8 years brought us no closer to solving the problems we all face, that we can recognize greatness, no matter the package.

If Obama wins, America will be (finally) plunging into the 21st century to thunderous applause.

[DebbieinPhx]

You are so right. Everything I have read or seen from abroad indicates that the entire world is holding its breath for this election. Do we move forward, rise above our miseries and lift the rest of the world with us... or do we all sink into despair. How can so many Americans be so clueless??? I live in Arizona, it's a red state (none redder if you ask me) but there are more and more Obama pictures and signs popping up everywhere. The McCain people tend to be really old or really nutty.... like red neck nutty... and NOT in a good way. It's strange. It's terrifying.

[ckt]

lol...I love your characterization of Arizona, but I will see your Arizona and raise you one blood-red Nebraska. I totally 'get' the red-neck nutty comment. My whole family is this creepy shade of red. My sister tells me that the reason that I'm a democrat is because I spent all of my 20s in California and it ruined me. I think if you compare Nebraska to Arizona it comes out like 'same circus, different clowns'. Good luck to ya.

[shengirl]

... it's like they are all lobotomized. At a rally today, the crowd is whipped up by some guy trotting out the old, discredited email attacks on O. Like he doesn't love America, he doesn't wear a flag pin. The crowd loudly booos. I guess not a one of them watched the 2 debates, where O was wearing a flag pin, yes, and McC was not. Absolutely bizarre.

[cdlryan]

The entire world is watching!

The world does not want or need 4 more years.

Canada wants Obama/Biden '08 and '12

A side note, Canada is now leaning left in it's own election!

[EarthToZoey]

My Norwegian cousin (who travels internationally for business) says that most people he encounters are terrified of the idea of a McCain presidency. McCain is far too bellicose and jingoistic to be an effective agent of peace. He will only polarize us even more. Not good.

[Brian Ross - Huffpost Blogger]

No, it's the same John McCain all right. Sometimes you don't realize that your stairs have termites in them, until you fall through.

[TRYKER]

Exactly. That people didn't know the real McCain is puzzling because he has been a putz since childhood.
The Rolling Stone Article said a lot about the man's character and one thing remained constant throughout his life. He always was hot headed, always got into trouble that daddy and grand daddy always got him out of, always was more interested in drinking and getting laid than in his job.
He has always treated women with disrespect and lying comes naturally to him as he has no conscience. He learned he could play the media and promote himself with BS.
Its super that he has exposed his inner creep for all to see this campaign, its time to put impostors out to pasture.
Do NOT elect another Bush-alike.

[cyndeewi]

I agree Brian!!

[MeiLing]

Ain't that the truth!

[GuyFawkes]

The Age of Obama is about to begin. 3.5 weeks.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

I don't know whether a lot of people will take off from work on November 5th after Obama wins or
will we all go to work so we can share our joy in crowds.

I hope there will be mass celebrations. i want to participate. With things as bad as they are with the economy, it will be a real feel-good day!!

[Punkynsnow]

I won't have to take off work, I've been unemployed for a year.

I'm hoping that Obama can help get the economy turned around, and that all of us unemployed folks will once again have a chance at getting a job.

[YouDisgustMe]

from your mouth to god's ears

YES WE CAN

[munki]

Changing time, am I correct?
Great! Love it!

[jcd8822]

FINALLY, someone else dares to speak the words of how McCain has changed. (Elizabeth Drew's article in Polico on Sept 17th "How John McCain Lost Me.") Maybe we will see more responsible publications and individuals coming out and calling itt as it really is. Who's going to punish them? The rich and famous who are losing their arses in the stock market? I don't think so, they are mad as Hell losing all of their money and have to strike out at someone.

[LiberalBuzz]

I'm going to be checking to see when it's released and buying my copy as soon as it hits.

I might even subscribe too although to be honest things ARE getting to be a little tight.

[MadxAsxHell]

I remember Right-wing-nut bloggers heaping scorn on Obama in 2002 and 2003 as a RINO-- "Republican In Name Only". Back then his maverick title was well-earned. But that halo has been slipping and John's been choking on it for 4 years now, as he's been Bush's supporter, even caving in on torturing prisoners.

Believing in America is a lot more than believing in the Flag, the Pledge, and getting teary-eyed on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day (which is OK--they've earned those tears). But you can't puff up patriotism and support the Patriot Act.

[lizr]

RINO = Mc C maybe, not O...

[UCSD101]

Great Move, Esquire - Thank you

You are now considered along with The New Yorker, one of the best magazines.

OBAMA-BIDEN 2008 - 2012

[FebM]

You got me, am getting my copy tomorrow....

[HarlDelos]

Esquire isn't kidding about it being the endorsement issue. They have endorsed candidates in every race for the house and senate, as well as endorsing, among other things, Bud in bottles, the $500 custom shirt, cigars, and honey mustard.

In PA-16, my district, they endorse Joe Pitts. "As a lawmaker, Pitts is an unreconstructed moralist, which is hard to beat. Yet as the son of missionaries, he's also unusually welcoming of cultural and diplomatic outreach overseas and a champion of religious freedom."

I have to sympathize with the folks at Esquire. That's an mind-boggling job, trying to make decisions in so many races. And they blew it on this one.

Pitts is not a moralist but a prig.

The Lancaster PA area is rather conservative - hey, we've got 40,000 folks using buggies to get around - but Pitts supports all sorts of radical changes instead of the conservative tried-and-true. I'm a cheapskate, but Pitts is penny-wise and pound-foolish.

He's voted with Dubya 93.7% of the time.

He initially promised to limit himself to 5 terms, when he first ran for Congress, but he's currently going for his 7th term. And he voted against rescuing the economy.

Bruce Slater looks like the candidate for me.

[oneblackvote]

I will buy a copy also. I may even subcribe.

[Romeover]

John McCain hasn't changed. He's still the same screw-up fly-boy philandering second-rate military brat he always was and always will be. He only ever looked good in comparison to George W. Bush.

[BobsNotWorking]

Who knew that journalism could be saved by a fashion magazine? Maybe this will prompt some other journalist to speak the obvious truth. Many individual journalist have already done so. I expect that to soon be a flood. Hopefully the flood will include additional nationally published magazines.

[ebanks84]

...and finally the MSM themselves might jump on the TRUTH wagon. We can "hope" for that "change" anyway.

[allonfla]

Myth of the Maverick

[gnoice]

No doubt. Check this:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain