Utah’s largest newspaper endorses Clinton

The largest newspaper in Utah has endorsed Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonDemocrats seek leverage for trial Davis: Trump vs. Clinton impeachments – the major differences Sharice Davids to vote for Trump impeachment articles: 'The facts are uncontested' MORE for president, the latest sign of trouble for Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - House panel expected to approve impeachment articles Thursday Democrats worried by Jeremy Corbyn's UK rise amid anti-Semitism Warren, Buttigieg duke it out in sprint to 2020 MORE in the deep-red state.

 

The Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday backed Clinton, marking the third straight election its endorsed a Democrat for president.

 

"It has been amusing, to a degree, to watch the circus that was the Republican primary process struggle and fuss and finally produce such a disappointment to be its presidential nominee," wrote the 145-year-old newspaper’s editorial board of Trump.  

 

Despite Clinton’s a "reputation for secrecy and dishonesty," the Tribune declared that Trump has "built a campaign on insults and bigoted statements, finally losing any right to be taken seriously with the recent release of a video in which he was heard to brag about his ability to get away with sexually assaulting women."

 

The Salt Lake Tribune surprisingly endorsed President Obama over GOP challenger Mitt Romney in 2012 despite the latter's Mormon faith and leadership role in the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. The paper also endorsed Obama over Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainBudowsky: Would John McCain back impeachment? Sharice Davids to vote for Trump impeachment articles: 'The facts are uncontested' Ex-Rep. Scott Taylor to seek old Virginia seat MORE (Ariz.) in 2008.

 

A shocking Y2 Analytics poll released Wednesday showed Clinton and Trump tied at 26 percent each in Utah, with independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin at 22 percent and Libertarian nominee Gary JohnsonGary Earl JohnsonThe Trump strategy: Dare the Democrats to win Trump challenger: 'All bets are off' if I win New Hampshire primary Scaramucci assembling team of former Cabinet members to speak out against Trump MORE at 14 percent.  

 

In 2012, Romney beat Obama by nearly 50 points in Utah. 

 

Prominent Utah Republicans have fled Trump in the wake of Friday’s release of leaked tapes from 2005 showing Trump speaking vulgarly about groping women and attempting to have sex with married women.

 

Rep. Jason ChaffetzJason ChaffetzElijah Cummings, Democratic chairman and powerful Trump critic, dies at 68 House Oversight panel demands DeVos turn over personal email records The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by JUUL Labs - Trump attack on progressive Dems draws sharp rebuke MORE and Gov. Gary Herbert both rescinded their endorsements of Trump, while Rep. Mia Love said she can't vote for him and Sen. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - House panel expected to approve impeachment articles Thursday Inspector general testifies on FBI failures: Five takeaways Conservatives rip FBI over IG report: 'scathing indictment' MORE called on Trump to leave the GOP's presidential ticket.

 

"The fact is that the next president of the United States will be one of two people, one eminently qualified and painfully forged, the other a total disgrace. Serious voters will focus on that," the Tribune concludes. 

 

"And the best choice, without a doubt, is Hillary Clinton."