October 27, 2004

The gossip among journalists in London this week is about The Guardian‘s perhaps well-intentioned but misguided attempt last week to influence the U.S. presidential election.

The liberal daily in London asked its readers to write to unaffiliated American voters in Clark County, Ohio, an electoral battleground this year, and ask them to vote for John Kerry. As Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian explained, “U.S. policy now affects every citizen on the planet. So we should all have a say in who gets to the White House.”

Thousands of Guardian readers did write, but most of the Ohioans’ responses had more in keeping with the Boston Tea Party than tea time. Read for yourself.

Support high-integrity, independent journalism that serves democracy. Make a gift to Poynter today. The Poynter Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, and your gift helps us make good journalism better.
Donate

More News

Back to News