Smith Wins Endorsement in Davis' BackyardIn the last post, I asked what needs to happen for Sen. Rod Smith to convincingly cut Congressman Jim Davis' lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Perhaps the latest round of endorsements is just what he needs.
Smith was endorsed by the Palm Beach Post, Lakeland Ledger, and Daytona Beach News-Journal.
But none of that compares to the St. Petersburg Times endorsing Smith. The Times is the most respected paper in the Tampa Bay area (no offense to the Tampa Tribune) that Davis represrents in Congress.
While it can be convincingly argued (and often is) that newspaper endorsements aren't worth the paper they're printed on, the decision by the Times editorial board not to endorse the local candidate, i.e., Davis, is a real blow to his campaign.
posted by Campaign Manager @ 3:16:00 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I think editorials are important to certain groups of voters, but I would hypothesize that those voters have already decided for whom they will vote. The key to the Democratic primary is the very large number of undecideds. My guess is that direct voter contact, especially through precinct walking, will determine the winner. TV and direct mail will likely cancel each other out since neither campaign has enough money to overwhelm the other.
It's more about appearance than reality - but in politics, as in life, perception is reality.
The St. Pete Times Endorsement creates the perception of a Davis campaign that is struggling to hold on to its base. They have to be worried that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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