Editor’s note: Political endorsements from the newspaper are meant as a forum for thought and discussion and reflect the views of the editorial board, which is made up of the publisher, managing editor and associate editor, not all employees who work at the newspaper. Following is the first of the editorial board’s endorsements for the Nov. 4 general election.Sitting in the middle of a Republican stronghold state, it is not easy to recommend a Democrat for the nation’s highest office, but the road ahead for this country is not an easy one either.
An economic crisis is gripping this nation and is taking its toll on financial markets around the world. Main street citizens who are saving for retirement are seeing their plans lose their value on a daily basis.
Gas prices, while falling of late, have forced consumers into tough decisions on how to afford the fuel they use.
Two wars rage, and America’s image around the world has diminished.
Health care costs continue to climb, and real people face real problems every day affording even the simplest of care.
The next president is saddled with problems that any of them by itself would be a daunting task to find a solution. But one thing is for sure, this country cannot continue down the same path and expect a different outcome.
That is why we are endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president. For the past two years, Obama has been under intense scrutiny, and we saw a man emerge who has the ability to bring about needed change, to bring people together and to work for a better America than the one we have now.
A Republican presidency over the past eight years and a Republican-controlled Congress over six of the last eight has netted little if any gain for the American people. And they are looking for hope and inspiration.
It is much like the employers or organization leaders you have known in your life. Who do you follow? ‘My way or the highway’ or the one who inspires and motivates and has a clear vision for the future.
We suspect it would be the latter, and that’s why we think Obama is the better choice.
When the dust clears over campaign promises, and the truth emerges, we like a tax plan that gives more relief to the middle class. We like the choice of a running mate that is clearly qualified in foreign affairs. And we like a cool, calm, steady approach to problem solving rather than an erratic, flip-flop in the face of financial crisis.
Those are the hallmarks of an Obama presidency. We know because we have had a chance to see it firsthand. We have seen him surround himself with knowledgeable people, stay steady with viable options in a financial crisis, and we have seen his ability to motivate and inspire a younger generation of voters to join the democratic process.
It is for these reasons that we endorse Obama for president. His kind of leadership is change this country needs.
