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For the first time in its 125-year history, The Arizona Republic has decided to endorse a Democratic candidate for president.

In an editorial released Tuesday, the newspaper called this year “different.”

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The endorsement:

Since The Arizona Republic began publication in 1890, we have never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. Never. This reflects a deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles.

This year is different.

The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified.

That’s why, for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat for president.

The challenges the United States faces domestically and internationally demand a steady hand, a cool head and the ability to think carefully before acting.

Hillary Clinton understands this. Donald Trump does not.

Clinton has the temperament and experience to be president. Donald Trump does not.

Clinton knows how to compromise and to lead with intelligence, decorum and perspective. She has a record of public service as First Lady, senator and secretary of state.

She has withstood decades of scrutiny so intense it would wither most politicians. The vehemence of some of the anti-Clinton attacks strains credulity.

…

She does not casually say things that embolden our adversaries and frighten our allies. Her approach to governance is mature, confident and rational.

That cannot be said of her opponent.

Clinton retains her composure under pressure. She’s tough. She doesn’t back down.

Trump responds to criticism with the petulance of verbal spit wads.

That’s beneath our national dignity.

When the president of the United States speaks, the world expects substance. Not a blistering tweet.

Ouch.

The unexpected endorsement comes at a terrible time for Donald Trump’s campaign. On Monday, he turned in a debate performance deemed disastrous by people of all political stripes, including all-important undecided voters.

Throughout much of the day Tuesday, he and his campaign were on the defensive about Trump’s insulting previous comments about former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. As Clinton noted in Monday’s debate, the Republican nominee had called Machado “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping,” referencing her weight and her Latino background, respectively.

On Tuesday morning, Trump made matters worse by spewing a fresh batch of offensive comments directed at Machado, saying, “She gained a massive amount of weight. She was the worst.”

As The Arizona Republic issues its first-ever endorsement of a Democratic presidential candidate, Donald Trump has once again proved – particularly over the last 48 hours – that all of their reasons for doing so were spot-on.