New York Times endorses American presidential candidates

‘NEW YORK: The New York Times on Saturday (Jan 30) endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination and Ohio Governor John Kasich for that of the Republicans….

The Times editorial board opted for a front-runner and a moderate underdog in endorsing Clinton for the Democrats and Kasich for the Republicans.

"Voters have the chance to choose one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history," the newspaper said of Clinton, a former secretary of state, senator from New York and First Lady….

The Times credited Sanders with generating enthusiasm among Democratic voters, but in the end, it said, he "does not have the breadth of experience or policy ideas that Mrs Clinton offers."…

In assessing the Republican candidates, The Times appeared to have settled on Kasich through a process of elimination.

It rejected Donald Trump, who has dominated the Republican race thus far, as a populist "who invents his positions as he goes along." "Mr Trump has neither experience in nor interest in learning about national security, defence or global trade," it said….’

Would out local media be so bold or be allowed to endorse any presidential candidates in the PE, if there is going to be one? It is just unthinkable that the media will be given such a free hand.  On second thought they had actually been doing so without openly saying so, I think.  The local media would not dare to say they endorse so and so as the Elected President for sure.

There is another interesting angle to look at the US Presidential Election and the comments on endorsement by the NYT. It was based on the experience of the candidates.  This reminds me of the great number of very experience politicians in this island that would definitely be chosen by the NYT if they are Americans by birth. We have so many talented politicians with better qualities than Hillary or John Kasich, with a string of straight As that would make George Bush Jr blushed.

Unfortunately the American Constitution forbid any Tom, Dick and Harry that were not born in the US to become their President. Otherwise we could export our talents to the US to vie for the crown of the President of the USA. Then again, the pay may not be attractive enough to lure our political talents away. The only attraction is the use of Air Force One. At the pay the US President is getting, the Americans would never smell the goodness of our politicians. They would just give it a miss, not in the USA, not anywhere in this world, except Sin City that could afford to pay for such exquisite talents.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump can feel safe that they would not have to face the best of the best in their Presidential Election. Whew.