2010: Dallas Morning News Endorses White

Breaking with its recent tradition of supporting Republican candidates for governor, The Dallas Morning News has endorsed Democrat Bill White in his effort to deny Rick Perry a third full term in office. Citing Perry's "cowboy swagger," "impervious air," "strident tea party tone" and "strong-arm style," the Morning News forcefully rebuked the incumbent while praising the challenger as a "solutions-oriented leader" and a "fiscal conservative with a progressive bent."

"We don't make this recommendation lightly," the endorsement said. "This newspaper has a long history of recommending Rick Perry for office against Democrats ­ from agriculture commissioner to the governor's office. But Texas requires a different kind of leadership at this important juncture."

Previously, the Austin American-Statesman, the Beaumont Enterprise, the Corpus Christi Caller Times and the Houston Chronicle have all endorsed White. Perry, who has declined to meet with editorial boards, has received no newspaper endorsements.