ACU Newspaper Editors' Presidential Endorsement Surprises Many
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: October 25, 2012
Abilene Christian University's newspaper editors know words have power, but theirs may have more influence than most.
They run "The Optimist," ACU's newspaper, so every word they type is eternally printed for thousands of eyes to read.
"I am looking forward to the feedback," said Mark Smith, the newspaper's editor-in-chief.
This edition, however, has more personal opinion than most, but it's not what they've written, its who they've written.
"Just because this is a very red state and this is a conservative Christian school," said Smith.
Endorsing a Democratic presidential candidate is a pretty big deal here.
Students admit it's for the most part a conservative place.
"Just being in Texas alone, the fact that it is going to be more conservative, its going to be a stronger republican poll for most people," said Delaney Noel, a sophomore at ACU.
This isn't the first time though.
"Four years ago we endorsed Obama," said Smith.
And it may not be the last.
"A lot of the students are more open to differing opinions," said one of the seven editors at the paper.
Which is exciting for some students.
"It's actually refreshing to hear actually," said Rodney Johnson, who agreed with the endorsement.
Although not all agree with the tactic.
"They have a lot of power in that sense and just to say look at this one guy and not both candidates isn't fair to most people," said Michael Abasi, a student at the university.
It's unknown whether it will affect anyone's vote, but if you read the fine print one things for sure; it's clearly just an opinion, although this one may have more people talking than usual.
The endorsement was written by the paper's seven editors on the editorial board, but they say it doesn't necessarily represent the opinions of the other staff members at "The Optimist."
They run "The Optimist," ACU's newspaper, so every word they type is eternally printed for thousands of eyes to read.
"I am looking forward to the feedback," said Mark Smith, the newspaper's editor-in-chief.
This edition, however, has more personal opinion than most, but it's not what they've written, its who they've written.
"Just because this is a very red state and this is a conservative Christian school," said Smith.
Endorsing a Democratic presidential candidate is a pretty big deal here.
Students admit it's for the most part a conservative place.
"Just being in Texas alone, the fact that it is going to be more conservative, its going to be a stronger republican poll for most people," said Delaney Noel, a sophomore at ACU.
This isn't the first time though.
"Four years ago we endorsed Obama," said Smith.
And it may not be the last.
"A lot of the students are more open to differing opinions," said one of the seven editors at the paper.
Which is exciting for some students.
"It's actually refreshing to hear actually," said Rodney Johnson, who agreed with the endorsement.
Although not all agree with the tactic.
"They have a lot of power in that sense and just to say look at this one guy and not both candidates isn't fair to most people," said Michael Abasi, a student at the university.
It's unknown whether it will affect anyone's vote, but if you read the fine print one things for sure; it's clearly just an opinion, although this one may have more people talking than usual.
The endorsement was written by the paper's seven editors on the editorial board, but they say it doesn't necessarily represent the opinions of the other staff members at "The Optimist."
Comments
I knew I was NOT a democrat when I was 4 years old in 1952. It is a terrible thing that you believe you are one at your advanced age.
Dale B.
October 24, 2012 at 10:16 pm
