I admit to being stunned to find that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has endorsed Donald Trump for re-election as president.
To understand the historic nature of this, it is the first time that newspaper has endorsed a Republican for president since 1972.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, my former employer, endorsing a Republican I could understand, but the PG?
After reading the PG editorial, I find I could have written the piece, it so closely mirrors my sentiments.
It praised Trump’s economic leadership and noted the boom of domestic energy under him, plus pointed out as a positive Trump’s willingness to take on foreign nations who in the past have been free to prey on the American economy with implicit endorsement of prior administrations.
The PG also pointed out that critics of Trump’s handling of COVID-19 ignore the reality that the nation can’t hide in its basement – taking a page from Joe Biden’s playbook – and further decimate the economy.
The PG made the obligatory swipe of Trump’s behavior, wishing he was more dignified. However, the editorial made the important point that Trump has gotten things done.
Surprisingly, the endorsement also alluded to Joe Biden being “too old” and “fragile” for the job, and his VP Kamala Harris has given no indications she’s up to the job should Biden disappear.
On the other hand Trump, while no youngster, is noticeably more robust, campaigning with seemingly endless energy despite having been a COVID-19 patient not that long ago. And VP Mike Pence has demonstrated the ability to take over the presidency if necessary.
While the PG endorsement was unexpected, my hometown paper, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, continued its leftward lurch by endorsing Biden under the laughable headline of him being the choice to bring the country together. The endorsement reads like it was written by the Biden campaign.
By contrast, the PG didn’t try to portray Trump as a saint, but merely as the superior choice in this contest.
Give the PG points for journalistic integrity.
Sam Ross Jr's site 