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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Politics Credit Where It's Due: Seattle Times Ed Board

Posted by Dominic Holden on Sun, Sep 23, 2012 at 11:19 AM

In that spot you've grown accustomed to seeing editorials slamming health care reform and railing for anti-tax policies that gut education, the Seattle Times has slathered the opinion page today with four editorials endorsing Initiative 502:

Here are the pieces: Legalizing marijuana adds revenue, reduces law-enforcement costs; Approve Initiative 502 — It’s time to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana; Initiative 502 pits the people of Washington against the federal government; Tackling the issue of driving while stoned. Plus there's an article at the top of the local section: State could be test case in marijuana legalization.

You can ignore one editorial. But four on Sunday is a thunderclap, especially coming from the state's leading conservative media outlet with reach into those swingy, swing suburbs. And last week they ran a battery of editorials in favor of passing same-sex-marriage legalizing Referendum 74. And heaven bless 'em for it. They're determined to cement the idea that legalizing pot and gay marriage are the political status quo in Washington.

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Comments (11) RSS

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5 editorials..but all from the same paper. I'd score that lower.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on September 23, 2012 at 11:45 AM

Blethens are going to start pot farms to make up for a losing rag.

Posted by Pope Peabrain on September 23, 2012 at 11:50 AM

I hope their record of endorsement leading to voters doing the opposite doesn't hold true this year....

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on September 23, 2012 at 12:02 PM

Well its consistent with their policy, they are libertarians.

Posted by Seattle14 on September 23, 2012 at 12:03 PM

And yet they still like charters schools. I'm thinking there are some on the editorial board who do their homework more than others.

Posted by westello on September 23, 2012 at 12:26 PM

Speaking of wealthy newspaper families, Kevin McClatchy just came out. (Towle Road has a link to Frank Bruni's NYT piece if you wish.)

Surprised Dan didn't mention this, but I know he's busy these days with learning how to use cufflinks and writing a book and all.

Posted by rob!

on September 23, 2012 at 1:51 PM

And yet the Times endorses I-1185, McKenna and charter schools. I can't help but wonder why the sudden interest in "liberal" causes.

Posted by crone on September 23, 2012 at 2:38 PM

@7: with the arguable exception of McKenna, it's more about libertarianism. I mean, being pro-1185 is ridiculous, but still in line with libertarianism.

Posted by doceb on September 23, 2012 at 5:35 PM

It's not going to redeem their shit-stupid editorial board, but as far as it goes, I'll take it.

Posted by balderdash

on September 23, 2012 at 7:58 PM

crone: Call me skeptical, but I have to think the Seattle Times is trolling for its share of the progressive citizens of the Emerald City with these endorsements. They are in financial trouble, I hear. Probably going to charge for web content soon.

Posted by Fizgig on September 23, 2012 at 9:09 PM