Endorsement Journalism

If you read the Indy for objective news then you will be disappointed. Instead, read it as a very good small town community paper with a serious left wing tilt.
You should not watch Fox or CNBC and assume they are attempting to be objective either.

Yup, the Indy derides the SBNP for it's lack of objectivity. The objectivity is no different here.

Take all news sources for what they're worth and make your own decisions.

Oh come on you two pseudonyms; you get your mean slant from breitbart, drudge and worldnewsdaily.

Sometimes candidates who are not endorsed are really, really awful and bad candidates. No gold there to spin from that straw, even by the Indy.

BTW, has Maldonado paid his federal income taxes yet while he wants the rest of us to pay ours?

the deep thing about Abel is that he really doesn't believe in paying his fair share of taxes....and he wants to be a member of the federal government as a House Representative???!
Vote Capps.

And Capps believes in paying her fair share of taxes? Maybe she does believe others should pay, but not for herself.

I disagree with John Klotsche's letter. Here's why.

First, endorsements always appear in the OPINION section of a newspaper. By their very nature, they are intended to be subjective, nor do good journalistic practices require them to be anything else ... the rest is a matter of style.

Second, the Indy's endoresements are arguably no different in style than those of three major newspapers I sampled. See for yourself:

http://www.sfgate.com/endorsements/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/endor...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/op...

Lastly, if you want objective information to form your own opinion, your chances are much better if you turn to the NEWS section as opposed to the OPINION section. Take for example Capps vs. Maldonado ... the Indy did a fairly even-handed feature news article on that race here:

http://www.independent.com/news/2012/...

Along with UCSB, the Indy also sponsored a debate between Capps & Maldonado which is available for viewing here:

http://www.independent.com/news/2012/...

As with anything else, the secret is knowing where to look. In this case, the Indy makes it pretty easy.

Mr. Klotsche assumes there is something admirable about the candidates not endorsed, a rather stale if not decadent group if ever there was.

Botany: Yes, Capps pays her fair share of taxes, the IRS has never accused her of non-payment of taxes or not reporting income. She filed an amended return the year after she omitted pension and rental income independently, rather than in response to any IRS action, very common and aboveboard, common knowledge to CPA's, EA's, licensed tax preparers as well as individuals.
Maldonado is digging his own political grave in attempting to compare his intentional tax fraud and current refusal to pay $474,000 tax on over $3.1 million income with Capps, who has no tax liability, the second year of IRS action against his family's businesses, including a tax lien on his ranch, as well as his related violation of Fair Political Practices Commission rules.
A $26,000 aquarium installed in his father's house deducted as a business expense? get real
As insane as Dale Francisco accusing ABR members of ethics violations.

Dale Francisco and ethics, have the two ever met?

Sure are many comments from those that did not get their rears kissed by the Independent. Bad losers that want everything or they start calling names, like ther God Obama.