In a break with tradition, The Tampa Tribune, a Republican standard-bearer for decades, refused Sunday to endorse anyone for president for the first time since 1964.

The paper has solidly supported every Republican presidential nominee since 1952, except for Barry Goldwater, but withheld its endorsement this year, calling the decision ''achingly difficult'' and citing both candidates' deficiencies.

Editors instead published an unusual full-page editorial with harsh criticism of the war in Iraq and President Bush's economic policies.

The paper also was skeptical of Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry, saying his ''undistinguished Senate record stands at odds with our conservative principles'' and his positions on Iraq ``have been difficult to distinguish or differentiate.''

Kerry however picked up endorsements Sunday from The New York Times and from newspapers in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Boston, while the papers in Dallas and Chicago backed Bush.

Posted by: Jonathan Singer / 8:13 AM | Basie! Home