In today's paper, Spec's editorial board endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election. This wasn't the first time that Spec has endorsed a presidential candidate.
Today, we look into our digital archives to examine Spec's previous endorsements, what they said, and how things turned out. The archives currently available online run from 1972-1992.
1972
In the first election in which most college students could vote (after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18), Spectator endorsed George McGovern in the Democratic primary, and again in the general election.
What Spec said:
In the primary endorsement—"Senator McGovern is far from an ideal candidate. ... He is, however, the only candidate for the Democratic nomination who promises new policies, new directions, and, perhaps, dynamic leadership --- something that has been lacking in America for far too long."
In the general election—"What the poll-watchers forget is that despite his all-too-human flaws, Senator McGovern still represents a decade of dynamic leadership and courageous opposition to the Vietnam War on the floor of the Senate."
The result: McGovern won the primary, but went on to lose the general election to Richard Nixon in a landslide defeat.
