OpEdNews - Page 7 of Article: Endorsements 7: NM Sun News, Des Moines, Anchorage,Charlotte, Asheville, Concord, Macon, Hartford, Milwaukee

A generation ago, the nomination of an African-American for president would have been unimaginable. Now Obama stands on the brink of history, and his election would send a powerful message to the world about how far Americans have come on issues of equality and opportunity. But voters should look beyond skin color in selecting the next president. They should look for the candidate who best represents their hopes and aspirations, who can meet the nation's difficult challenges with sophisticated responses, who can inspire us and unite this country as he turns the page and leads America in a new direction.
For president of the United States, the Times recommends Barack Obama.

Democrat & Chronicle, Rochester New York:

America is in crisis, and it's not limited to the meltdown on Wall Street. A heavily burdened nation yearns for new direction. Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden are best suited to revive the indomitable spirit that made America great. They are the Democrat and Chronicle's choices for president and vice president.

The nation's challenges are daunting. The economy is in the tank, along with public confidence in Congress. State governments are in financial ruin. No relief is in sight from dependence on foreign oil. Indebtedness to China is deepening. And longstanding allies have become standoffish.

America can't afford more of the same. That's the huge risk the nation would run with Republican John McCain, who for too long was in step with the failed policies of the Bush administration.

GA Macon Telegraph

When historians explore the 2008 presidential election at some future time after the glow of the moment has worn dim, they will find several history-making moments, most far from the obvious.

Naturally, history will record that the Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, is one part African American and one part white. In order to win the nomination he had to best one of the most defining political figures of the '90s, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Republicans responded with a first of their own. Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, selected a little-known governor from Alaska, Sarah Palin, as his running mate.

But what will be most striking to historians is the resonance of the word "change," but not in the sense that Obama uses the word on the stump. Less than 50 years ago Jim Crow laws enforced de facto segregation in many areas of the country. Now it's very possible that an African American could become the leader of the free world.

America should be proud that two men of character are running to be president of the United States. However, there can be only one. McCain's service to this country is well-documented, and it should be duly honored. However, this is a new day with new challenges. America cannot afford to do business using a 20th century model, and it can't continue the failed policies of the Bush administration. From health care to tax policy to dealing with the reprobates of the world, Sen. Obama's ideas are superior to those of Sen. McCain, whose judgment has been rightly called into question. From his choice of Palin as a running mate to suspending his campaign during the height of the financial meltdown to declaring - in the face of a $700 billion bailout, that the fundamentals of our economy "are sound," - McCain's grip on 21st century realities is questionable.

In the words of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Obama has "style and substance." That substance includes a keen intellect and posture to help him navigate the pressing issues facing our nation. He has a unique ability to inspire cross culturally. He is a living example that there is a new day dawning in the world, and he will make the case that, as usual, America will lead the way. We endorse Sen. Barack Obama.

The La Crosse Tribune (Wisconsin)

...The La Crosse Tribune endorses Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrat fromIllinois, to provide the change in leadership, hope and vision we need torestore faith in our future and restore trust among our world partners.

While we admire and respect the heroism and service of Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee from Arizona, we don't have faith in his ability to be the maverick he wants us to believe he is.

Obama combines the discipline of pay-as-you-go budgeting with plans to reinvest in our crumbling national infrastructure and reduce our carbon emissions by 80 percent by the middle of this century--a more thoughtful, visionary approach to an energy policy than simply crying, "Drill, Baby, Drill."...

BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS, Pentagraph

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