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

[sonoffestus]

But will Sarah read it?.......­..........­..........­..... I already voted for Obama/Biden, it feels very good. Try it ,you'll like it.

[KBinIA]

You are correct. My wife and I have both already voted for Obama and we liked it. We have a 17 year old son who wishes he was old enough to vote for Obama/Biden. Smart kid. :)

[Gasparilla]

I subscribe and they have had some very good political articles, well reasoned and not strident.

[FanofPaine]

I will pick up a copy of this even though I don't read Esquire to balance someone dropping their subscription cause you know someone is gonna do it.

[disgusted48]

Esquire. Is this the men's fashion magazine? If so, the Obamas will look very smart in the pictorial layout. Maybe I'll splurge and buy it.

[HeevenSteven]

Better put out some extra issues; I'm going to get one.

[Britishdemocrat]

And good for Esquire magazine. They are a true American patriotic magazine and I hope the sales for the journal surge. They know that we need Obama to lead us through these ever increasingly difficult times.

[theprez21]

Not a surprise. I am believe that SENIOR LIVING endorsed Obama as well.

[CaptainVideo]

I was one of the many Americans who admired and respected the 2000 vintage McCain. The 2008 vintage McCain has turned his back on everything that made me respect him. Now I have nothing but contempt for him.

The one thing I wonder about is whether this is a case of McCain, like Anakin Skywalker, being seduced by the dark side of the force, or was the 2000 straight-talking maverick McCain just a mask he wore because he considered it politically avantageous at that time and, once it was no longer expedient, discarded, so that we now see the REAL MCCAIN?

[BobsNotWorking]

The change is awfully simple. He changed because the evangelicals now control the Republican Party. Without their enthusiastic support he had no chance.

[ohohyeah]

I think that is true. He needed the evangelica­ls.And look how far he went to get it. ALASKAN BEGINNER. She was a terrible decision and that is a sign of weird judgement.

If you haven't watched the video of her getting blessed to "keep all wiches away from her " go get it. And then there's another video of her praising this crazy Mutha minister. WITCHCRAFT. Not between colonial Salem and Wasilla! A very very dangerous idea!!! This jerk can identify WITCHES. W should be producing Mille's CRUCIBLE again.
But now there is some serious research that suggests spoiled rye produced hallucinations in Salem. What excuse does Sarah and Wasilla have?

[faithfully]

I think I was conned by McCain in 2000. He hasn't been a very nice man for a very long time.

[Jadedelight]

Ditto.

[Punkynsnow]

He hasn't been a nice man in like, forever. I also was fooled by the 2000 McCain. The Rolling Stone article really spells out who the man is now and has always been.

It ain't a pretty picture.

[gnoice]

Always been a mask:

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

[Bruce388]

I thought McCain was the most authentic candidate in 2000. Now, that Rolling Stone article, along with his Keating 5 adventures, votes against veterans' benefits, reversals on the Bush tax cuts, Palin, etc., this man is not worthy of the office.

[CoexistWithDiversityUSA]

Lets HOPE that small staff at Esquire gets out to vote for Obama as I will... and while I am out voting I will pick up my copy of Esquire!

[Mygirl]

Beautiful !

[imsosure]

Of course they endorse Obama, he's winning and he's going to win the office of President too. Go Esquire, Obama 08!

[Frenchy9]

Merci ESQUIRE!

[TMacChicago]

Jeez, I suppose this means I will have to subscribe to Esquire for doing the right thing. Kudos for a courageous action to cultivate even further the seed of democracy.

[MrsJackson]

I'm adding this one to my collection, thank you!!!

[edwarvir]

I think they know a good man when they see one..
My family knows how I feel about Senator O so I
will sit back and wait for one of them to buy me one