CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - The newspaper in President Bush (news - web sites)'s adopted hometown of Crawford threw its support behind Bush's Democratic rival, Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites).
The weekly Lone Star Iconoclast on Tuesday criticized Bush's handling of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) and for turning budget surpluses into record deficits. The editorial also criticized Bush's proposals on Social Security (news - web sites) and Medicare.
"The publishers of The Iconoclast endorsed Bush four years ago, based on the things he promised, not on this smoke-screened agenda," the newspaper said in its editorial. "Today, we are endorsing his opponent, John Kerry."
It urged "Texans not to rate the candidate by his hometown or even his political party, but instead by where he intends to take the country."
Bush spends many of his weekends and holidays at his Crawford, Texas, ranch.
The Iconoclast's publisher and editor-in-chief, W. Leon Smith, said the newspaper is sent to Bush's ranch each week. "But I don't know if he reads it," Smith said.
The White House brushed aside the endorsement. "I feel pretty confident about the people of Crawford and the state of Texas in this election," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
The Kerry campaign welcomed the move. "Those who know George Bush (news - web sites) the best say it the best: John Kerry will restore dignity to the White House and provide the leadership needed to get America headed in the right direction," said Kerry campaign spokesman Phil Singer.
