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

[longislandlol]

FRom Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama--oh how thrilled Eleanor R. would be today--she would love Obama!

[cyclewerker]

epic

[JohnnyBeBad]

Mad Magazine has also endorsed BO.

[hyjanks]

What? Me worry?

[bpai]

I donated money to McCain's 2000 Presidential campaign. The 2008 edition is not the same person, I agree. I don't care who his opponent is, I am voting against Bush/McCain/Palin.

[Felicty]

I will buy one as well. What happened to your Dubious Acheivements issues? I can never find them on some years.

[Bruce388]

I LOVED Dubious Achievements. Try www.newsoftheweird.com; you don't have to wait for an annual issue.

[ewoman]

Mr. Granger, thank you.

[bpai]

Bravo for Esquire and I agree. I contributed money to McCain's Presidential campaign in 2000 , but the 2008 McCain is not the same man I once admired greatly. He now embraces people and tactics he once denounced, he renounces long-held positions to improve his chances in this election, and made a VP pick that is absolutely indefensible and truly scary.

Finally, his constant outrage, springing from an unwavering sense of moral superiority, gives insight into what a McCain Administration would be like - not much different from Bush's. I don't care who he is running against, I'll support that person.

[dutchgirl55]

Thank God for thoughtful reporters, editors, and magazine publishers.

Another four years the same as the last eight would destroy our country--if it hasn't already.

[Glenn1441]

Wrong-o! One need only read both of McCain's books and the recent Rolling Stones piece to come to the conclusion that we have met and dealt with several John McCain's over the last quarter century or more.

Like many individuals with an entitlement complex, McCain modifies his behaviors based on moments at the receiving end of chastisement and public humiliation. In other words, when his knuckles are rapped, he repents and modifies his behavior via newly found mantras of 'right' thinking on the ethical and moral high ground. But when his deep-seated inferiority complex is directly challenged, for instance, as it has been by talented, young upstart Barack Obama, well, let's just say suddenly, we all find ourselves transported to the past, to a schoolyard, when and where we hear the rantings of injustice from a spoiled bully.

That said, Esquire, I believe you made the endorsement that will fall on the right side of history.

[EbonBear]

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that over the years, many of us (including me at times) have been fooled by John McCain.

[teacheng]

I like the last line.

[bootcamp]

McCain has nowhere to go now but down. He can run away from President Bush, but he can't run away from the Republican Party. The Republicans will be regarded from now on as "the party that wrecked America." Over the weeks ahead, as carnage in the economy and the financial markets ramps up, it will become increasingly clear. It is important that this meme be spread through the internet. I urge all commentators to adopt and spread the idea that the Republicans are "the party that wrecked America." It will work because it is the truth.

[bzdesk]

Bet you'll sell a whole lot mags too. Well, ok, truth be told, i'm intrigued, i'll probably grab one :-)

[sfmama]

I will too, because I keep them for my sons who are too young to really comprehend what Obama's candidacy mean.
My hope is that we'll have lots of stuff to put in that collection of speeches, magazines, buttons, and stickers for my sons, including newspapers from Nov 5 declaring his election as President, and photos and stories about his years in the White House.