Editorial Board endorses
JOE BIDEN
for President of the United States

While The Michigan Daily Editorial Board’s vote on this matter was unanimous, we debated 
While The Michigan Daily Editorial Board’s vote on this matter was unanimous, we debated 

whether to publish an endorsement for a United States presidential candidate this November. 
whether to publish an endorsement for a United States presidential candidate this November. 
After all, Washtenaw County has voted overwhelmingly blue in the past, the University of 
After all, Washtenaw County has voted overwhelmingly blue in the past, the University of 
Michigan student body tends to lean liberal and our endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 
Michigan student body tends to lean liberal and our endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 
the presidential primaries this past March did not effectively influence the outcome of the race. 
the presidential primaries this past March did not effectively influence the outcome of the race. 
We were not sure what our voices would add to the conversation. An endorsement of former Vice 
We were not sure what our voices would add to the conversation. An endorsement of former Vice 
President Joseph Biden for U.S. president is likely unsurprising to our readers and may prove 
President Joseph Biden for U.S. president is likely unsurprising to our readers and may prove 
meaningless in swaying undecided voters. 
meaningless in swaying undecided voters. 

However, this deliberation over whether to publish an endorsement does not reflect apathy from 
However, this deliberation over whether to publish an endorsement does not reflect apathy from 

the Editorial Board. For many of us on the board, this feels like the most important election of our 
the Editorial Board. For many of us on the board, this feels like the most important election of our 

lives so far and potentially the most important election we will ever have the opportunity 
lives so far and potentially the most important election we will ever have the opportunity 

to participate in. The focus on this race is intense and the perceived consequences of 
to participate in. The focus on this race is intense and the perceived consequences of 

this election are dire. Now is not the time for avoidance. That is why we have 
this election are dire. Now is not the time for avoidance. That is why we have 

decided to publicly endorse Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., for 
decided to publicly endorse Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., for 

U.S. president and vice president, respectively.
U.S. president and vice president, respectively.

Much of our motivation for this endorsement comes not so much 
Much of our motivation for this endorsement comes not so much 
from a particular love of Biden, but a deep disapproval of President 
from a particular love of Biden, but a deep disapproval of President 

Donald 
Donald 
Trump. We work for a news organization, like 
Trump. We work for a news organization, like 

the 
ones 
the 
ones 
whose credibility Trump repeatedly 
whose credibility Trump repeatedly 

attacks 
attacks 
with tweets, speeches and the 
with tweets, speeches and the 

courts. 
We 
represent 
and 
courts. 
We 
represent 
and 

work 
with 
students 
work 
with 
students 

of 
color 
and 
LGBTQ+ 
of 
color 
and 
LGBTQ+ 

students, 
demographics 
Trump 
students, 
demographics 
Trump 

has repeatedly threatened and 
has repeatedly threatened and 
endangered. 
His 
discrimination, 
endangered. 
His 
discrimination, 

misogyny and reluctance to condemn 
misogyny and reluctance to condemn 

white supremacy are well-documented. 
white supremacy are well-documented. 

We cannot, in good conscience, support 
We cannot, in good conscience, support 

Trump’s actions or even provide a minute’s doubt 
Trump’s actions or even provide a minute’s doubt 

as to where our support lies.
as to where our support lies.

We may not agree with every one of Biden’s policies, but he is 
We may not agree with every one of Biden’s policies, but he is 

a significantly more qualified candidate for the position of U.S. 
a significantly more qualified candidate for the position of U.S. 
president. Biden has outlined a plan to address environmental justice 
president. Biden has outlined a plan to address environmental justice 
and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while Trump does not seem to 
and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while Trump does not seem to 
believe in climate change. Biden would make it easier to immigrate to 
believe in climate change. Biden would make it easier to immigrate to 
the U.S. and commit to a fair and humane immigration system, while 
the U.S. and commit to a fair and humane immigration system, while 
Trump has reduced legal immigration nearly in half since becoming 
Trump has reduced legal immigration nearly in half since becoming 
president and has blocked refugees and asylum seekers at every turn. 
president and has blocked refugees and asylum seekers at every turn. 
Biden wants to reduce the number of people incarcerated, focus on 
Biden wants to reduce the number of people incarcerated, focus on 
restorative justice and eliminate the race, gender and income-based 
restorative justice and eliminate the race, gender and income-based 
disparities in the current justice system. Trump wants to hire even 
disparities in the current justice system. Trump wants to hire even 
more police officers and end cashless bail. The Editorial Board has 
more police officers and end cashless bail. The Editorial Board has 
already made clear that we do not support expanded policing, unjust 
already made clear that we do not support expanded policing, unjust 
immigration policies or climate change ignorance.
immigration policies or climate change ignorance.

If we, as students, do not vote in this election, it means conceding 
If we, as students, do not vote in this election, it means conceding 

the election to Trump. If we do not actively endorse Biden, it means 
the election to Trump. If we do not actively endorse Biden, it means 
we indirectly endorse Trump. We will not remain silent. We detest 
we indirectly endorse Trump. We will not remain silent. We detest 
Trump’s behavior and the policies for which he stands. 
Trump’s behavior and the policies for which he stands. 

The Michigan Daily Editorial Board unequivocally endorses Joe 
The Michigan Daily Editorial Board unequivocally endorses Joe 

Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president of the 
Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president of the 
United States. Join us in making sure our country does not repeat 
United States. Join us in making sure our country does not repeat 
2016’s mistake.
2016’s mistake.

Alec Cohen / Daily
Design by Jack Silberman

The focus on this 

race is intense 

and the perceived 
consequences of 

this election are dire. 
Now is not the time 

for avoidance.

8 — Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Opinion
 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

