The media didn't normalize Trump, the Republican Party did. If Trump had run this exact campaign as an independent he'd be polling 10%. https://t.co/iSSCQ9vsoT
— Wyeth Ruthven (@wyethwire) September 30, 2016
Even the devoutly ‘nonpartisan’ USA Today:
In the 34-year history of USA TODAY, the Editorial Board has never taken sides in the presidential race. Instead, we’ve expressed opinions about the major issues and haven’t presumed to tell our readers, who have a variety of priorities and values, which choice is best for them. Because every presidential race is different, we revisit our no-endorsement policy every four years. We’ve never seen reason to alter our approach. Until now.
This year, the choice isn’t between two capable major party nominees who happen to have significant ideological differences. This year, one of the candidates — Republican nominee Donald Trump — is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency…
We’ve been highly critical of the GOP nominee in a number of previous editorials. With early voting already underway in several states and polls showing a close race, now is the time to spell out, in one place, the reasons Trump should not be president:
He is erratic…
He is ill-equipped to be commander in chief…
He traffics in prejudice…
His business career is checkered…
He isn’t leveling with the American people…
He speaks recklessly…
He has coarsened the national dialogue…
He’s a serial liar…Where does that leave us? Our bottom-line advice for voters is this: Stay true to your convictions. That might mean a vote for Clinton, the most plausible alternative to keep Trump out of the White House. Or it might mean a third-party candidate. Or a write-in. Or a focus on down-ballot candidates who will serve the nation honestly, try to heal its divisions, and work to solve its problems.
Whatever you do, however, resist the siren song of a dangerous demagogue. By all means vote, just not for Donald Trump.
When you read the whole thing, you have a nice laundry list of Trump’s various flaws & criminalities, well suited for forwarding to GOP-fixated or Trump-curious acquaintances. (For what little it’s worth, the sidebar poll “What do you think of this editorial?“ currently has ‘strongly agree’ at 81%.)
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Apart from the ongoing battle for truth justice & the American way, what’s on the agenda as we wrap up the week?
Friday Morning Open Thread: Not THIS GuyPost + Comments (164)