McCollum Grabs Two Newspaper Endorsements ... and the Kiss of Death?

Bill McCollum might be feeling pretty good this week about receiving the editorial endorsements of the Tampa Tribune and the Miami Herald.

But he and Republicans should carefully consider these "friends."

While the Tribune has, at times, dabbled in actual conservatism, the Herald tilts left at every opportunity. And when the general election rolls around, you can bet that the ultimate endorsements in Florida's gubernatorial contest will swing to Alex Sink, the Democrat.

This is the same game played by the New York Times every four years. In 2008, the Times briefly endorsed John McCain -- the least conservative candidate in the GOP field, and therefore the most palatable to the Gotham editors -- only to kick him to the curb once the primaries were over.

McCain = McCollum? You betcha.

Then again, McCollum and rival Rick Scott needn't be troubled by this. Mainstream newspapers don't have the reach or influence they once did. The only way most Floridians will even know about these endorsements will be via campaign ads on TV or at websites like this one.