In a historic shift, The Washington Post has decided not to endorse any presidential candidate for the first time in 36 years. This decision has caused a stir among readers, especially its liberal subscribers, many of whom have threatened to cancel their subscriptions in protest. CEO Will Lewis announced this move, describing it as a return to the paper’s early stance on neutrality. However, this has sparked questions over the influence of ownership, especially regarding Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns the publication.
A Break in Tradition
This new policy signifies a stark departure from the Post’s traditional support for Democratic candidates, a practice dating back to 1976. The last time the paper withheld an endorsement was in 1988 when it opted not to back either Michael Dukakis or George H.W. Bush. For decades since, the Washington Post’s endorsements have been predictably Democratic, making this reversal, just 11 days before a major election, both surprising and impactful.
Internal Decision-Making and Ownership …