The 2024 presidential race has taken an unexpected turn, with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris facing a significant drought in endorsements from traditionally reliable sources. This lack of support, particularly from major unions and newspapers, signals a troubling trend for her struggling campaign.
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The Washington Post’s Stunning Non-Endorsement
Perhaps the most shocking blow came from The Washington Post, a publication with a history of endorsing Democratic presidential candidates. The Post announced its decision to not endorse either Harris or Donald Trump, a move unprecedented in its history of never endorsing a Republican for president. This refusal to back Harris, the Democratic nominee, is particularly striking given the publication’s past endorsements of candidates like Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
Adding to the irony, The Washington Post itself has published articles comparing Trump to Hitler in an attempt to bolster Harris’s candidacy. Examples of this rhetoric include:
- A September 2016 article titled “Don’t compare Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. It belittles Hitler.”
- A December 2023 opinion piece asserting “Yes, It’s OK to compare Trump to Hitler.”
- A September 2024 article claiming “Trump gets compared with history’s great villain because his rhetoric is that bad.”
The Post’s refusal to endorse Harris after employing such comparisons raises questions about their assessment of her candidacy. Does this signal a belief that she is comparable to, or perhaps even worse than, the figure they have used to denigrate her opponent?
Former Post editor Marty Baron criticized the decision as “cowardice,” while current editor Will Lewis cited a return to the paper’s historical neutrality in presidential races. However, this explanation seems weak, given the timing of the announcement right before the election. A more plausible reason may lie in Harris’s recent poor performances in interviews and town halls, potentially leading owner Jeff Bezos to withhold his support.
A Broader Trend of Non-Endorsements
The Washington Post’s decision follows a similar move by the Los Angeles Times, the largest newspaper in Harris’s home state, which also declined to endorse either candidate. The LA Times’ editorial page editor and two editorial board members resigned in protest, highlighting the deep divisions within the media landscape.
This trend extends beyond newspapers to major unions. The Teamsters, the nation’s largest union, and the Firefighters Union have both withheld their endorsements from Harris. Internal polling suggests a significant preference for Trump among Teamsters members. Even the Arab American PAC in Michigan, which typically endorses Democrats, has declined to support Harris despite her attempts to court their favor. All of these organizations previously endorsed Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, underscoring the unusual nature of Harris’s lack of support.
Possible Explanations and Implications
Several factors may contribute to this phenomenon. Trump’s recent surge in the polls and his lead in key swing states could be prompting organizations to avoid associating with a potentially losing candidate. Additionally, Harris’s perceived lack of substance and underwhelming performances may be alienating potential endorsers.
The absence of endorsements from traditional Democratic allies signifies a significant challenge for the Harris campaign. It suggests a lack of enthusiasm and confidence in her candidacy, potentially foreshadowing a difficult path to victory in November. Meanwhile, Trump appears to be gaining momentum, enjoying a level of support that eluded him in previous elections. The contrasting fortunes of the two candidates paint a stark picture of the current political landscape.
