The second of Seattle's major newspapers, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer endorsed Sen. Obama today in no uncertain terms.
If the country ever needed new direction under a fresh, steady, calm president, this is the time. Sen. Barack Obama is the country's hope, the kind of promising, intelligent leader who comes along perhaps once in a generation.
Especially now, as we creep closer to a world-wide recession (if we are not already there) our press may actually be seeing the light and not be shying away from stating the fact that now is not the time to speak ambiguously.
Over the weekend, McCain and his campaign began what may be a go-for-broke, desperate attempt to save the Republican control of the White House by swamping the country with irrelevant, negative slander of Obama as a dangerous radical. The real issues have nothing whatsoever to do with the attempt to ignite fear over the fact that the resolutely optimistic, well-balanced Obama has had scant connection with a onetime radical.
As never before in the lifetimes of any but the Greatest Generation, the country faces challenges at home and abroad. Overcoming hurdles, building for the future and making us more secure financially and strategically will require a president with Obama's clear desire and surpassing ability to speak to all Americans.
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We have little faith in what would happen on any financial issues under McCain, whose party has deliberately metastasized the nation's debts and who has relied on ideologue ex-Sen. Phil Gramm for economic counsel.
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Obama has shown the judgment, temperament and confidence to deal with world leaders in ways that advance this country's values respectfully. Diplomacy would again be fundamental, not an afterthought on the way to war. Restoring America's standing in the world requires a president who stands for America's people, their future and their values.
When financial troubles here are shaking the rest of the world, it's more important than ever to have a president with vision for a better future for Americans, their country and its friends around the world. Sen. Barack Obama is the president for restoring hope in America.
Many times the two major Seattle papers split their endorsements between the candidates. This time both are solidly behind Senator Obama. This is a wonderful thing to see.
(This is slightly off topic, but on MSNBC's live news coverage with David Shuster, an interview that just took place with Ari Fleischer in which Fleischer stated that Obama has the edge in tonight's debate. He said that McCain has a difficult time connecting one on one even in a town hall environment.)
UPDATE: Here's the link to the article. P-I endorsement: Elect Obama