In its 144-year history, The Yale Record has never endorsed a Democratic candidate for president. In fact, we have never endorsed any candidate for president. This is, in part, due to our strong commitment to being a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, which mandates that we are “absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.”
This year’s presidential election is highly unusual, but ultimately no different: The Yale Record believes both candidates to be equally un-endorsable, due to our faithful compliance with the tax code.
In particular, we do not endorse Hillary Clinton’s exemplary leadership during her 30 years in the public eye. We do not support her impressive commitment to serving and improving this country — a commitment to which she has dedicated her entire professional career. Because of unambiguous tax law, we do not encourage you to support the most qualified presidential candidate in modern American history, nor do we encourage all citizens to shatter the glass ceiling once and for all by electing Secretary Clinton on November 8.
The Yale Record has no opinion whatsoever on Dr Jill Stein.
—The Editorial Board of The Yale Record
The Yale Record Does Not Endorse Hillary Clinton
While I agree w/ the point here, I think the Yale Record stepped over the line.
The best way for me to look at this is to think: What if this was a “non-endorsement” for Trump? I would be outraged. I would say they violated their non-neutrality and should be subject to whatever the result would be. Loss of tax-exempt status, probably.
Do I give them a pass just because I agree w/ their message?
I hate to say it, but just because I’m a Hillary supporter, that does not mean I turn a blind eye.
I’m all for civil disobedience, and if that’s what the Yale Record is trying here, then I wish them luck. But “I agree w/ you” does not mean “I think the rules shouldn’t apply to you.”
I would agree with you in a just world. But if you look at the laws that govern such matters, this isn’t even close. Supposedly public interest non-profits get away with doing enormous amounts of political spending — by IRS rules. The fact that The Yale Record is a humor magazine makes things even easier for that since I’m sure they have gone after Clinton a fair amount.
I admit I didn’t know the Yale Record was a humor magazine. That DOES make a difference, since their statement is humorous if looked in that way. It reminds me of an old Monty Python bit about politicians.
Ah! That would explain it. Of course, it is very subtle. And in modern America it really is kind of hard to tell most of the time. But I also think they are making a serious point. I appreciate your argument.