From: bostonista	Date: November 2nd, 2008 07:35 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I'd argue that waiting until the election is all but called to make an endorsement is the definition of conservatism -- not political conservatism, but the normal meaning of the word.

They certainly seem to want to bet on the winning horse.

	From: bostonista	Date: November 2nd, 2008 10:45 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Or, I guess a more charitable view would be that they're trying to push people who are on the fence to vote in a manner deemed economically sound.

Still.

	From: billetdoux	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:32 am (UTC)		(Link)

The economist has made its endorsement for US president the week before the election, every four years, for the last 150 years. Virtually all major news publications make their endorsements at the end.

	From: bostonista	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:45 am (UTC)		(Link)

They do? Really?

I haven't noticed this. The Times made theirs months ago. Ditto other papers -- ?

	From: bostonista	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:49 am (UTC)		(Link)

Actually! The Times made theirs like two weeks ago. I stand corrected. I also confirmed that other papers were also very late in the game with their endorsements with a google news search.

Crazy. You'd think endorsements would be more meaningful earlier in the game, somehow.

Edited at 2008-11-03 02:51 am (UTC)

	From: billetdoux	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:52 am (UTC)		(Link)

Yeah it's weird. I think they worry that if they tip their hand too soon, people will think their news is tainted, but, then, its not like they don't already think it!

	From: bostonista	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:56 am (UTC)		(Link)

Also, I think my sense of time has been completely screwed up by the election. I could have sworn that the Times endorsed Obama back in August! Time is slowing waaaaaay down.

	From: cambridgejen	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:30 am (UTC)		(Link)

I thought that their endorsement was fair and well-written. I have been fighting the urge to read the 1100+ comments that have been logged against that article on the web edition.

	From: billetdoux	Date: November 3rd, 2008 02:33 am (UTC)		(Link)

I skimmed a few of them and thought it was a pretty decent discourse, actually!

	From: fambai	Date: November 4th, 2008 05:35 pm (UTC)		(Link)

yep- you know i love the economist too. a wave of happiness came over me when i received this issue- the perfect cover. yea!