With readers primarily from Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties in Ohio and linked in to Ohio.com - the Akron Beacon Journal gave a strong endorsement to Hillary today.
What did it? The CNN debate. In earning this Hillary herself has accomplished the Herculean (Hill-culean?!) task of fighting back the negative pressure from the combined forces of the odd but newly-found bedfellows of Daily Kos and Right Wing Corporate media to give a dashing and substantive performance. I'd certainly rather have her with me in my darkest hour in a foxhole, or in my darkest hour passing progressive policy (! and those hours will be dark in the uphill progressive climb), than any other Democrat running for office - or McCain for that matter.
The paper http://www.ohio.com/... urges its readership to separate the hype of Obama from the substance and experience of Clinton. To this end, they cite her proven track record of working across the aisle, and of serving New York well in extremely harsh post 9-11 times. And perhaps the clincher for her cross over appeal:
"Many military officers recognize she would be a formidable commander in chief"
They also emphasize that we need a warrior (not a dandy), and an intelligent one, to accomplish change.
"Her temperament stands out as one of her finest qualities. Lose in a bid for sweeping reform of health care, and Clinton comes back with a program less ambitious but still substantial, achieving broader insurance coverage for children."
They also are not convinced that Obama's outsider self-identity is in touch with reality.
"Obama presents himself as a transforming figure. Actually, his campaign approach is familiar, just as his proposals are more conventional, more candy-for-everyone than he suggests, his recent pandering on the trade issue especially disappointing."
On balance - "Hillary Clinton is the more proven leader".
Personally - I love Obama so much that I want to see him stay in the US Senate and learn, mature and act such that he can one day down the road, not in 2008, become the US Preside