The New York Times became the first nationally prominent American newspaper to announce a presidential endorsement this cycle, throwing its support behind Democratic candidate John Kerry in a lengthy editorial published Sunday, 17 October 2004, just over two weeks before Election Day on 2 November.
The Times praised Kerry's breadth of knowledge and analytical clarity, while sharply criticizing President George W. Bush's record, citing the Iraq war, tax policies favoring the wealthy, and what the editors called poor management of civil liberties. The paper described the Bush presidency as "disastrous."
The Dallas Morning News, published in Bush's home state of Texas, took the opposite position, arguing that Bush had been tested by four consequential years in office and deserved a second term. The paper expressed disappointment over uncontrolled domestic spending and soldier casualties in Iraq, but concluded this was no moment for the country to change course.
Several other papers endorsed Kerry, including the Boston Globe, the Miami Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Star-Tribune of Minneapolis, and the Dayton Daily News. The Miami and Minnesota papers were especially critical of Bush's leadership style and fiscal record.
Major outlets including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal had not yet announced their choices. Analysts suggested the wave of Kerry endorsements could energize his supporters heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in October 2004, in its own words.