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