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Several US newspapers rescind longtime Republican support

WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (KUNA) -- In a strange presidential elections race, several US conservative newspapers have abandoned their decades-long endorsement of the Republican party nominee.
A newspaper which has assumed a neutral stance towards the presidential race, USA Today has never in its 34-year existence picked sides.
"We've never seen reason to alter our approach," said its editorial board earlier this week. "Until now." "This year, one of the candidates - Republican nominee Donald Trump - is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency," said the newspaper.
It argued that the business tycoon "lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents." The newspaper went on to highlight several reasons for its decision, dubbing the nominee "erratic", "ill-equipped to be commander in chief" and displaying "prejudice." Local newspapers, some of whom have never expressed support of Democratic candidates, have also switched their allegiance.
The Arizona Republic, the largest newspaper in the state, endorsed a Democrat for the first time ever, saying Clinton is "the only choice to move America ahead." The newspaper, which was founded in 1890, said that "the 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified." Some other local newspapers also broke tradition, opting for a third party candidate in the form of Libertarian Gary Johnson.
"Today this newspaper does something it has never done in its 143-year history," said The Detroit News.
"Johnson would be a competent and capable president and an honorable one," opined the daily.
The decision was taken in spite of it being impartial on three occasions, during landslide victories for Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936 and in the 2004 George W. Bush/John Kerry contest, the newspaper said.
While it said Trump is "unprincipled, unstable and quite possibly dangerous," it said Clinton was capable of being the "leader of both a diverse nation and the free world" if it wasn't for her "career-long struggles with honesty and ethics." The Chicago Tribune, known for its strong affinity for Republican party candidates, also backed "principled candidate" Johnson.
Johnson "speaks in terms that appeal to many among us - expanded global trade and resulting job expansion." It argued that Trump is "not fit to be president." On the other hand, Hillary could if it were not for her plans to increase public spending and taxes, and the "serious questions about honesty and trust," it added. (end) sd.tg