The Repository (of Canton, Ohio in Stark County) has endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. By the way, the paper endorsed Bush in 2004. However, the more interesting thing is what they have to say against McCain, whom the paper endorsed as the Republican candidate back in 2000 when he ran against Bush. I know some may feel this isn't such a big deal (who knows how much endorsements actually matter), but I feel like they've really laid out several great reasons to vote for Obama.
So follow along below to read some excerpts and check out the full endorsement for yourself.
In the realm of foreign policy, Obama said unequivocally in 2002 that a U.S. invasion of Iraq would be a mistake, as The Repository did. It was not a popular conviction, but it was the right one. McCain supported the pre-emptive war, as did the vast majority of Congress.
Once again, the judgment is on the side of Obama, not McCain.
At home, Obama is much more in tune with the struggles of the middle class, and his tax plan would benefit many more Americans than McCain's proposals would. According to the nonpartisan Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, middle-class families would save about $1,118 a year under Obama's plan, but only $325 under McCain's. Obama's plan also would increase the deficit less than McCain's — $3.5 trillion by 2018, compared to $5 trillion, the center calculates.
Can't get much simpler than this. In one easy to read, down-to-earth paragraph the Rep has explained to their audience that while both Obama and McCain have plans to LOWER your taxes, Obama's plan will most benefit middle-class Americans. And add to that, Obama, the Democrat, has the plan that will least add to our deficit. <$325 or $1,118? Hmm, I wonder who I'd vote for...</p>
Here's one of my favorite passages:
This is not the John McCain that The Repository endorsed in the 2000 Republican primary over George W. Bush. Then, McCain was unquestionably an independent thinker. We supported him in large part because his spending plan was more conservative than Bush's. The John McCain of 2008 freely admits he has voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time, even to the extent of flip-flopping on the Bush tax cuts he originally opposed as detrimental to the deficit.
We hear this time and time again. Heckk it's something I've even said. This is NOT the same John McCain who ran for President in 2000. Indeed, McCain could be worse than Bush. Can America afford four more years of worse than Bush policies?
The events of the last two weeks have provided another telling contrast between the two candidates. Obama has stressed the need for a bipartisan agreement on a financial bailout and reform package that includes strong accountability measures. McCain has indulged his penchant for drama. He declared that if he were president, he would fire the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission — action that a president doesn't have the authority to take. Then he abruptly refused to debate Obama on Friday — at a time when Americans need to hear directly from both men about their reaction to the financial crisis — but, fortunately, McCain changed his mind again.
Tell me again, who has both the demeanor and judgment that we need in a president? How about we let the Canton Rep answer that question in their closing paragraph:
We believe that Obama's intellect, caution, levelheadedness and calm demeanor make him better suited to lead a nation that must respond to many unwelcome changes with yet more change. The Repository endorses Sen. Barack Obama for president.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Click the title below to be taken to the Canton Repository website to read the entire endorsement.
For president: Barack Obama
Canton Repository; Sunday, September 28, 2008