The State (S.C.): For more than 40 years, in war and peace, John McCain has exhibited fierce integrity, principled independence and awe-inspiring courage as he has put his country first. Between two extraordinary candidates, he is the better qualified. (Oct. 24)
The Cape Coral (Fla.) Daily Breeze: It is not too much to say that the contest for president this year pits a dedicated liberal politician, Obama, against a veteran servant of the public – McCain. Obama is easily the most liberal of the 100 senators. His running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden, is a close second. Simply because McCain’s character has been one of service to the people – not to a political party or the gigantic federal bureaucracy – we urge residents of our area to cast their ballots for John McCain, the leader Americans need. (Oct. 28)
The SF (Calif.) Examiner: Ever the maverick, McCain selected Palin because her record mirrors his own in courageously standing up to corrupt special interests regardless of party and cutting government waste. She has the instincts, temperament and backbone to help restore the Republican Party to its conservative principles and the country as a whole to those foundational ideals of individual freedom, equal justice and government that truly is of law, not of men. (Sept. 24)
The Birmingham News: Obama has tried mightily, with much apparent success, to paint a McCain presidency as George W. Bush’s third term, but that’s just not true. Yes, McCain has a largely conservative voting record. But he has parted ways with Bush – and has been on the right side – on important issues such as the torture of prisoners, Guantanamo Bay and the environment. (Oct. 26)
The New York Post: McCain has been in Washington for many years now, but he is not of Washington. He knows where the levers of power are located – and how to manipulate them – but he is not controlled by them. McCain’s selection of the charming, but rock-solid, outsider Sarah Palin as his running mate underscores the point. (Sept. 8)
The Savannah (Ga.) Daily News: Mr. Obama’s meteoric rise has been impressive. All Americans can take pride in his historic candidacy. But America needs a president who shines with experience more than star power. That’s John McCain. We recommend his candidacy. (Oct. 19)
The Intelligencer Wheeling (W. Va) New Register: By reining in irresponsible financial institutions, cutting the size of government, and providing relief for all taxpayers, McCain will provide a shot in the arm for the economy. Though there are many reasons to vote for McCain, that one alone ought to be enough. We urge thoughtful, concerned area residents to vote for McCain for president, in an attempt to get the economy moving again. (Oct. 16)
target=”_blank”>The Messenger (Iowa): Troubling questions remain about the character of Obama. He was elected to the Senate only because of efforts by the Chicago political machine. His personal associations involved one – closer than Obama will admit – with a leader of the 1960s Weather Underground terrorist organization. That man, William Ayers, has commented that, ”I don’t regret setting bombs.” And Obama’s association of many years with his pastor, the anti-American Rev. Jeremiah Wright, ended only when the relationship was brought to light by the news media. (Oct. 19)
The Lancaster (P.A.) New Era: McCain has broken with his own party on spending, and he pressed the Bush administration for a change in the Iraq war strategy (Bush eventually adopted the surge, which has proven successful). And he voted against a bloated energy bill and all its giveaways for oil companies. McCain’s reputation as a maverick is secure, but he also has shown a willingness to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats on issues, such as campaign-finance reform and education. (Oct. 20)
The Eagle Times (N.H.): On both fronts, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, provides America’s best hope for restoring economic growth and keeping Americans safe. By comparison, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, proposes higher taxes and more government spending on the domestic front and an open invitation to diplomacy for any country, including our sworn enemies, in foreign policy. Neither will strengthen this country at home or abroad. (Oct. 23)
The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch: Unlike Obama, McCain has a record of bipartisanship: He was a member of the Gang of 14 Republican and Democratic senators who joined in 2005 to preserve the Senate filibuster rule. Note that this courageous act, which enraged the Republican Senate leadership, preserved the filibuster power for what was then the Democratic minority in the Senate. Because of the personal sacrifices that McCain has made for the nation, he has unmatched moral authority to call on Americans to take their medicine. If elected, that is precisely what he should do. (Oct. 19)
The Detroit News: The next president will be charged with stabilizing Iraq so American troops can leave that country in good conscience. He will also have to find an answer for Afghanistan that doesn’t bog down America in another long conflict or provoke Pakistan, a tenuous and nuclear armed ally. McCain may lack the inspirational qualities of his opponent, but if this were a blind audition judged solely on the resumes of the two candidates, he would win decisively.(Oct. 23)
The Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch: We believe that Obama is qualified by temperament to serve as president, though his limited experience does give pause. We believe he possesses the depth and the eloquence to inspire his fellow citizens and to spread America’s message of liberty and freedom abroad. But we are troubled by many of his policy positions. Among the bipartisan spendthrifts who populate Congress, few if any can match McCain’s record in opposing out-of-control spending. It’s one of the main reasons the Bush administration and many fellow Republicans have frequently considered McCain a pain in the pork barrel.
The Elko (Nev.) Daily Free Press: Both men have been shirking their duties in Washington to campaign for a post no one in their right mind would want considering the current financial climate. And neither man displayed the capability of steering us around the economic iceberg ahead when they traveled back to D.C. to address the Wall Street bailout. We have chosen to ignore the theatrics and endorse the man behind the mask, the John McCain who stands up to wasteful spending and isn’t afraid to break through party lines to get the job done. (Oct. 24)
The Cincinnati Enquirer: McCain offers up his compelling biography as a war hero, his admirable candor and his centrist independence in an increasingly polarized political environment. A McCain administration would chart a wiser course on the economy than one led by his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. McCain’s campaign has recently found a sharp focus on economic and tax issues, allowing voters to draw clear distinctions with policies Obama would pursue. (Oct. 25)
The Arizona Republic: Nowhere else in the country do voters know John McCain like Arizonans know John McCain. Even McCain mischaracterizes his noble willingness to stand up and stand alone. He contends it is the “maverick” in him. Well, he’s wrong about that. It is the leader in him. (Oct. 25)
The Dallas Morning News: The Democrat talks about change, but only the Republican has made change happen. Only one candidate has a solid record of standing up to his own party on principle and working hand in hand with legislators from the opposing party to get things done. That candidate is John McCain, a progressive conservative we recommend. (Oct. 18)
The Tampa Tribune: McCain brings a lifetime of useful experience, including his grueling captivity in Vietnam and long Senate service. He believes in federalism, a strong defense and disciplined self-interest. (Oct. 17
)The Las Vegas Review-Journal: He has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint, angering many of his colleagues by embarrassing them over their penchant for pork. Sen. McCain vows to veto any bill that includes earmarks and says he will freeze spending in many areas of the budget. (Oct. 19)
The Desert Sun (Calif.): An Obama presidency would coincide with Democratic control of both houses of Congress, meaning unfettered control of federal policy by the Democrats for at least the next two years. That is not what’s best for the country. The American people have shown election after election that they want a balanced government. (Oct. 26)
The Napa Valley (Calif.) Register: McCain has put country first, literally and figuratively, all his life. A decorated combat veteran who spent nearly six years in a North Vietnamese prison, he has since spent more than 25 years in the U.S. Congress. He has proposed legislation in all the major arenas of federal authority, has a history of working effectively with Democrats on a variety of issues, has chaired the powerful Commerce Committee and been involved in dozens of major decisions involving our national security and international standing. (Oct. 12)
The North County (Calif.) Times: Washington is a corrupt and incestuous place. While McCain has had his own issues during the years, he is more determined and better suited to the task of cleaning up Washington. (Oct. 26)
Press Enterprise: The next four years will be a time for restoring confidence in American institutions, reintroducing sobriety to the federal budget, and making long-delayed decisions that will preserve Social Security and Medicare for the next generation of retirees. The public needs McCain’s leadership on these issues to guide debate toward markets and freedom, and away from even larger and more powerful government. (Oct. 18)
The San Diego Union Tribune: When the Great Depression struck in the early 1930s, Washington responded with misguided tax hikes and trade barriers that only exacerbated the crisis. Today, in the face of renewed economic turmoil of historic proportions, Obama proposes to boost the capital gains levy — a particularly onerous tax on business expansion and job growth — and increase the tax rate on dividends, which account for a big chunk of Americans’ retirement earnings. (Oct. 19)
The Daily Sentinel (Colo.): It’s not just energy. On every major issue – government reform, health care, spending, taxes – McCain not only has the most sensible ideas, his track record gives him a much better chance of getting them enacted. John McCain is the presidential candidate with the breadth and depth of experience, both personal and political, who can best lead the country out of its very troubling condition. (Oct. 10)
The Longmont (Colo.) Daily Times Call: We have a leader in our midst who knows the American people and what they can achieve, who knows our government with its strengths and needed areas of improvement and the dedicated sacrifice of our military. His extensive knowledge of world geography and of leaders throughout the world would be a major plus for this commander in chief. His courage and proven dedication would be a role model for all. His name is John McCain. (Oct. 19)
The Register Citizen (Ct.): McCain isn’t afraid to tell his own party to go to hell. He stands out from his party as a strong supporter and steward of the environment, and he has and would go after the leaders of big business when unfettered greed and regulatory loopholes put the average American at risk. The average American, we strongly believe, wants a level playing field to pursue the American dream, not a redistribution of wealth or handout. (Oct. 23)
The Twins-Falls (Idaho) Times News: Handsome and eloquent, Barack Obama offers the seductive promise of something new and refreshing after eight hard years of a presidency that couldn’t shoot straight. But change leading us where? What would Obama do in the White House? After eight years in the Illinois Legislature, he ascended to the U.S. Senate, where for two years he has done little else than campaign for president. (Oct. 26)
The News-Gazette (IL): It’s a dangerous world, and McCain has far more experience and has displayed better judgment than Obama in foreign affairs. Indeed, the Democratic candidate’s naivete on these issues is so striking that his own vice presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, recently said “it will not be six months before the world tests this guy. … we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.” (Oct. 26)
The Sioux City (Iowa) Journal: Blame for today’s economic mess can’t be left on one political doorstep, nor does one party possess all the answers to how we get out of it. Navigating these troubled times will require bipartisan cooperation and compromise. Throughout his time in Congress, McCain has proven his ability to reach across the aisle. That he is nothing more than a clone of George W. Bush is untrue. From treatment of detainees at Guantanamo, to conduct of the war in Iraq, to energy policy, to federal spending, to global warming, he has had his differences with the Bush administration. Often called a “maverick,” McCain is an independent thinker. (Oct. 29)
The Times Republicans (Iowa): McCain has a reputation as a fiscal conservative in many ways. And, though he shared the blame for government spending once earlier this year, it is clear that of the two candidates, only he provides any real chance of reining government in. Clearly, then, McCain is the nation’s only hope for restraint. He’s right: In terms of government spending, change is vital. (Sept. 23)
The Sun Journal (Maine): We admire his opponent, Sen. Barack Obama. His future is bright, his patriotism and capability unquestioned and his intelligence unparalleled. Yet the broad change he and his party vow to deliver is not what the country really needs. We would enjoy seeing Obama and President McCain working together the next four years for the betterment of this country. We know they could. (Oct. 26)
The Baltimore Examiner: Amid the praise, though, is a warning to the Republican ticket, urging McCain to mind his “legendary temper†in order to work effectively with his cabinet and Congress. Similarly, Palin is advised to be a quick learner in managing national and international affairs. (Sept. 25)
The Boston Herald: Whatever becomes of the latest version of a bailout proposal, it is clear that this nation is in for years of economic uncertainty. So who do we want to help guide us through that uncertainty? McCain insisted during his Friday night debate with Barack Obama that “the first thing we need to do [post-bailout] is get spending under control in Washington. The most that Obama will concede is that some of the $800 billion in new spending programs he’s proposing “are probably going to have to be delayed.†(Oct. 1)
The Eagle (Mass.) Tribune: But there are times when the country is better served by the tried and tested, when the need for experience and reliability trumps a desire for change. These are such times. That’s why the nation needs John McCain as its president. (Oct. 26)
The Lowell (Mass.) Sun: These are two of many examples of McCain’s independence from party politics during his 21-year career in Congress. His commitment to put America first has, at times, made him unpopular and caused him to search his political conscience. Yet in the end, he has never retreated from the core values that have set him apart from the rest. It has won him grudging respect from his most hardened foes and the admiration of millions of Americans who value honesty, character and personal sacrifice.
(Oct. 2)The Grand Repaids (Mich.) Press: Mr. McCain has drawbacks of his own. The John McCain of this campaign has not always been recognizable as the John McCain who established such a pragmatic, admirable record in Washington. We would look for the old McCain — we hope, the real McCain — to return if he is elected. His choice of running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, an accomplished governor, brought a new personality to the political stage. However, her readiness to assume the office of president is in doubt. Indeed, Mr. Obama’s selection of Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden is a more responsible choice, despite Mr. Biden’s habit of acting as a verbal gaffe machine. Ultimately, however, voters in 2008, as with past presidential elections, are called to make a choice for president, not for vice president. (Oct. 26)
The Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot: Eight years ago, this newspaper endorsed Al Gore for president over George W. Bush. We had concerns that a politician with little experience, especially in foreign policy, could make good on promises to transform Washington. We have the same concerns about Obama. He is even lighter on experience than Bush was when he ran, and he has never held an executive job. As Bush used Cheney to make up for his deficiencies in foreign policy, Obama has chosen Joe Biden. Sound like deja vu? (Oct. 26)
The Oakland (Mich.) Press: It is interesting that McCain has been portrayed as the candidate with strong foreign policy and national security credentials but weak on the economy. He certainly demonstrated his mastery of international concerns during the first presidential debate, and the world is still a dangerous place with too many terrorists bent on flying airplanes into buildings.But it is on the economy where McCain actually seals the deal. This was made most apparent, in the most down-to-earth terms, when Obama, answering a question from the now-famous Joe the Plumber, admitted his real goal of redistributing wealth. (Oct. 26)
The Foster (N.H.) Daily Democrat: Sen. McCain’s history of public service and devotion to country cuts across all political and socio-economic lines. His collective life experiences touch the broadest range of the American electorate. Within John McCain’s background is something with which nearly everyone can find a kinship. (Oct. 13)
The Union Leader (N.H.): For the last two decades, whenever Washington went on a spending spree it couldn’t afford, John McCain stood in defiant opposition. Even if the spenders were members of his own party, he called them out. In only a few short years, Barack Obama has become a master distributor of pork and an opponent of controlling runaway spending. He even voted against defunding the Bridge to Nowhere and using the money for Hurricane Katrina relief. (Oct. 30)
News Herald (Ohio): McCain’s leadership and character have been tested. The U.S. Navy veteran spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner during the Vietnam War. That experience helped shape his desire for public service. He was a U.S. representative from 1983 to 1987 and has been a U.S. senator the past 22 years. Obama served in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004 before being elected U.S senator in 2004. He has spent much of the past two years campaigning for president. (Oct. 26)
Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com