Washington, Sep 30 (EFE).- USA Today, one of the United States’ largest newspapers by circulation, is breaking with its traditional neutrality in presidential elections and urging its readers not to vote for Republican nominee Donald Trump on Nov. 8.
Founded in 1982, the USA Today had never before advised a vote for or against a particular candidate.
“This year, the choice isn’t between two capable major party nominees who happen to have significant ideological differences. This year, one of the candidates – Republican nominee Donald Trump – is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency,” the newspaper said in an editorial.
“From the day he declared his candidacy 15 months ago through this week’s first presidential debate, Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents,” it added.
The daily said Trump was threatening to break “fundamental commitments” such as supporting NATO allies, steadfastly opposing Russian aggression and providing absolute certainty that the United States would honor its debt obligations.
The USA Today listed a series of reasons why Trump was unfit for the presidency, saying he was erratic and ill-equipped to be commander in chief, traffics in prejudice, has a “checkered” business career, speaks recklessly, refuses to release his tax returns, has coarsened the national discourse and is a “serial liar.”
The paper, however, made clear it was not offering a ringing endorsement of Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton, saying some board members had “serious reservations” about her sense of entitlement, her lack of candor and her extreme carelessness in handling classified information.
But it urged voters to cast a ballot for her or a third-party candidate or even opt for a write-in.
“Whatever you do, however, resist the siren song of a dangerous demagogue. By all means vote, just not for Donald Trump,” the paper said.