By Jesse Byrnes - 09-29-16 19:36 PM EDT
The USA Today editorial board is opposing Donald Trump's candidacy, taking a position in a presidential election for the first time in the newspaper's 34-year history.
Describing Trump as "erratic," "ill-equipped" to be commander in chief and a "serial liar," the newspaper slammed him for trafficking in "prejudice" and having a "checkered" business record.
"This year, the choice isn't between two capable major party nominees who happen to have significant ideological differences," reads the editorial published Thursday.
"This year, one of the candidates - Republican nominee Donald Trump - is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency," it states.
The editors wrote that Trump "has demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents."
"Whether through indifference or ignorance, Trump has betrayed fundamental commitments made by all presidents since the end of World War II. These commitments include unwavering support for NATO allies, steadfast opposition to Russian aggression, and the absolute certainty that the United States will make good on its debts," they wrote. "He has expressed troubling admiration for authoritarian leaders and scant regard for constitutional protections."
But the harsh editorial was not an endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
"Some of us look at her command of the issues, resilience and long record of public service - as first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of State - and believe she'd serve the nation ably as its president," the editorial read. "Other board members have serious reservations about Clinton's sense of entitlement, her lack of candor and her extreme carelessness in handling classified information."
The paper said it's bottom-line advice was for voters to follow their convictions.
"Whatever you do, however, resist the siren song of a dangerous demagogue. By all means vote, just not for Donald Trump," they wrote."
Trump's running mate Mike Pence penned an op-ed in USA Today outlining his case for the GOP nominee Thursday.
Several other national newspapers have similarly rejected Trump. The Washington Post said in an editorial last week that "it's beyond debate that Donald Trump is unfit to be president. The New York Times over the weekend also officially endorsed Clinton.
A number of smaller papers have also bucked tradition in not endorsing the GOP nominee.
The Detroit News on Thursday endorsed Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson, the first time it has not endorsed the Republican presidential candidate in its 143-year history.
The Cincinnati Enquirer similarly backed Clinton last week, the first time it's back a Democrat in roughly a century. Earlier this month, The Dallas Morning News endorsed Clinton, the first time it had recommended a Democrat for president since before World War II.
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