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Readers to Sun-Times: Tell us how to vote!

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Illinois

* I’m trying really hard not to smirk…

We will plunge back in Sunday with an endorsement in the race for governor, and we will make endorsements in the February Chicago municipal elections and other key local races.

Two years and nine months ago, we announced we would no longer make endorsements, explaining that we had come to believe they feed a perception of a hidden bias throughout a newspaper. The Chicago Sun-Times has always taken great care to keep its news coverage separate from its editorials and opinion pieces, but we are sensitive to the fact that we operate within an increasingly fragmented and politicized media market.

Our readers have taken a different view. They have told us they understand the difference between the independence exhibited in the news coverage from opinions expressed in the editorials. We appreciated this feedback and understanding.

In the years and months since our decision to stop making endorsements, readers have told us constantly that they found great value in them and wished we would make them again. Our endorsements, they said, offered another frame of reference, fresh analysis and insight. Even when they disagreed with an endorsement, readers said, it was of help to them in exercising the most fundamental right of a democratic republic — deciding who will represent them. For every reader who has commended us for standing on the sidelines, seemingly hundreds of others have asked, “Who’s gonna tell me how to vote for …?”

They already telegraphed their gubernatorial endorsement yesterday, without mentioning that a certain someone was part of the group that bought the Sun-Times a while back. He has since sold his ownership stake, of course, so no problem there.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:21 pm

Comments

yeah no problem. Sun-times sold out.

Comment by admin Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:27 pm
Biggest BS I’ve heard yet.

Comment by admin Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:27 pm
Announced late on a Friday afternoon, by the way. The irony is so rich I might need a Tums.

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:28 pm
Yes. But we also understand the connection between the business side and the editorial side which Rich has alluded to.

Comment by truthteller Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:31 pm
Golly, gee, Tom, how about sharing some of those entreaties you’ve been “constantly” receiving all these “years and months.”

I bet they make for great reading, the mournful pleas of all those readers pining for their Sun-Times endorsements.c

I mean how many readers are we talking here, ballpark?.Must be a big number if they’ve been coming in “constantly” for “years and months.”

Just do it already and enough with the long-winded and embarrassing walk back. Nobody cares.

Except all those readers. And your bosses.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:33 pm
Oh fer crissakes! Glad to see Mr. Insider is going to be endorsed by his formerly owned newspaper.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:33 pm
I love the self-importance of this line:

“Two years and nine months ago, we announced….”

Just gives you Gettysburg goose pimples, doesn’t it?

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:37 pm
Did they interview any candidates? Or send out questionnaires? Or will they simply confine themselves to statewide and major races?

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:38 pm
Good questions, Louis.

Usually newspapers have endorsement interviews.

I think they’re just doing what the boss tells them.

In my experience, only one vote counts when it comes to newspaper endorsements.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:42 pm
I am not sure I can handle the suspense of wondering who they’ll endorse for governor.

Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:44 pm
“Seemingly hundreds”, but actually none.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:44 pm
I was ‘anonymous’ at 4:44

Comment by chi Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:45 pm
At least we don’t have to spend any needless worry about whether Chicago newspapers have any integrity left, whether they can be “bought,” etc. Shame on the Times. zero integrity.

Comment by admin Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:47 pm
and people think it’s just our politicians that are corrupt!

what. a. joke.

Comment by the koala Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:50 pm
Would not be the only newspaper with problems
of disclosure and endorsements? The Board of the
Once of Prevention fund does it not include one
Ms. Helen Zell whose husband had a small stake
in the Tribune?

Comment by Illinoisvoter Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:57 pm