McCain won the backing of South Carolina's largest newspaper Saturday. (Photo Credit: AP)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - John McCain won the endorsement of South Carolina's largest newspaper Saturday, a major boost to the Arizona senator one week before this southern state’s Republican presidential primary.
In an editorial posted on The State's Web site, McCain is praised for "integrity and independence," and his ability to reach across partisan divides.
"He is a slave to no ideology or faction. Not only will he work with anyone who wants to do the right thing anytime, he is usually the driving force at the head of coalitions to get the job done — from the Gang of 14 that broke Senate gridlock and paved the way for the confirmation of conservative judges to his principled leadership on campaign finance reform," the editorial board wrote.
The paper's editorial board also lauded McCain for his political courage, writing he "is almost unique in his determination to do what is right, whatever the cost."
Mike Huckabee was also considered, according to the editorial, and hailed as an "exciting newcomer who shows a wonderful ability to connect with voters’ concerns." But the editorial board ultimately concluded the former Arkansas governor's "utter lack of knowledge of foreign affairs is unsettling."
As for the other GOP candidates, the editorial board discounted Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani for pulling much of their resources from the state, dismissed Ron Paul as a serious contender for the Republican nomination, and said Fred Thompson - who is betting his entire presidential bid on a win there - "seems to be running in this first-in-the-South primary just to say he did."
The paper backed then-Texas Gov. George Bush over McCain in 2000.
"At long last, eight years later than we should have, we are endorsing John McCain of Arizona," Brad Warthen, the State's editorial page director and a longtime supporter of McCain wrote on his blog Saturday. "This makes me a lot happier than I was this time in 2000. This time, we've done the right thing."
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
The paper got it wrong! Watch for Romney to edge out Mccain in MI and watch for Thompson's come back starting in South Carolina. The come back has just begun!!!
Mccain will not become the pesident. Hillary will not become president.
Obama will become president. If you think McCain can beat Obama in the general election. You probably are blind to some fact or another. McCain has 10 delegation votes. He's in 3rd. Hillary is in 2nd among the democrats.
Obama is 1st compared to any other canidate. The vote was basically split between Obama and McCain when it came to NH. But some of you are too dumb to realize that McCain was a strong favorite in NH when he ran against bush in 2004. Some people still remember that.
Edwards is splitting Obamas vote and when he concededs, Obama will the get majority of votes. Simple enough? Hillary is not a leader. Shes a follower looking to have the torch handed off to her from Bill. Wrong. Americans pass the tourch, not Bill.
P.S. Bill is a liar huh? I used to say he was the greatest president we had. I think he's a slimball now! A slimball Liar!
Latoia,
The argument is not inconsistent, but very much consistent, to my belief that I vote for substance, rather than words.
What has Obama, delivered? Even being present in the senate and congress, Obama, has always answered "present", taking no positions. on any issues.
I am surprised, you being female, would like Obama, as even for female abortion bill, Obama, would take no postion, and just address the bill by being present.
Again, let me be clear, why I like McCain more than Obama is this:
I hated the war from the beginning, and that is where I differ with McCain's position, however, McCain was right with his judgement on troop surge. This clearly demonstrates, that he will take position, has substance and right about it.
For those of you who rip McCain on Iraq, understand, he has the most to lose. He is the ONLY candidate who has a sibling in Iraq (one of his two sons). Its not that he WANTS to be in Iraq for the next 100 yrs, but he feels the United States has a moral obligation to stay there until Iraq has stabilized. A stable Iraq will stabalize the region.
Understand, I have been against the war from the beginning. But as soon as we crossed that threshold and toppled Saddam, the U.S. has created an obligation to the Iraqi people to stablize the area before we leave. I hate to say it, but McCain is right on this one.
He just expects the endorsements because John is part of the old Republican Merit System, just like Bob Dole. And just like Bob Dole, he will be trounced against a Clinton.
Remember America, the bomb bomb Iran song, the Mc Cain-Feingold bill of free speech supression, the amnesty bill that he tried to sneak in?
JUST SAY NO TO JOHN MC LIBERAL.
Why is it that newspapers should even feel they have the right to endorse candidates? isn't a bit of a conflict of interest for news sources to be endorsing people whom they report on?
Brad, I don't believe a word you write. Only you and your conscience know if you are trying to influence Independents. If you are, you don't understand Independents.
I am an Independent.
I ALSO REMEMBER: McCain said Illegal Aliens do the jobs Americans won't do. McCain had the nerve to challenge the American people that he would pay $50 an hour to anyone who would come to his ranch and work the fields the way the Illegal Aliens do.
Remember the phrase "JOBS AMERICANS WON'T DO?"
HE'S NOT TALKING ABOUT ILLEGALS BUT HE STILL WANTS TO DO IT. IF HE IS ELECTED, HE WILL WORK WITH KENNEDY AND THE REST OF THE CROWD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. REMEMBER LINDSEY GRAHAM ALSO SUPPORTED THE AMNESTY BILL, FOLKS.
ANYBODY BUT THE WAR MONGERER. McCAIN WOULD HAVE US FIGHTING WARS AND HE WOULD OPEN THE BORDERS FOR MORE ILLEGAL ALIENS TO STAFF HIS WIFE'S RANCH.
I have finally figured out how Obama is getting so many votes.
I have read about 12 people who are for obama in the primary over clinton.
BUT IF OBAMA DOESNT WIN THEN IM JEST GUNNA VOTE FOR MCCAIN.
Can you believe this persons vote counts the same as mine?
Obamba and McCain have RIDICULOUSLY DIFFERENT views, and WILL DO DIFFERENT THINGS.
We want our troops out of Iraq , but since Obama didnt win we cant have Hilly win and get the glory of taking troops out of iraq.
So vote for Mc Cain and he can keep them there for 100 years.
This would be viewed as large MISTAKE .
CHECK THIS OUT TO SEE IF IT IS TRUE. GOOGLE THE LADIES NAMES TO GET INFORMATION.
rachel lanore January 11, 2008 10:15 pm ET
What does all this say about McCain's character? These blurbs are from goggling his wives…. Carol, Cindy… wow…
According to the newspaper, McCain returned to Jacksonville in 1973 after more than five years as a prisoner of war to find that his wife was a different person. Carol McCain, once a model, had been badly injured in a car wreck in 1969. The article recounts that her injuries "left her 4 inches shorter and on crutches, and she gained a good deal of weight."
By 1979, McCain was concerned that his Naval career was not advancing and pondering his future. He met Cindy Hensley, an attractive 25-year-old woman from a wealthy Arizona family. McCain courted her and married her in May 1980 — a month after getting a divorce.
Carol McCain waited for the return of her husband from his Vietnamese captivity for five and a half long years; as McCain idolator David Grann put it in the New Republic, she was "a kind of modern-day Penelope to McCain's Odysseus." She carried her burden with nobility, and resolve, staying faithful to the man she refused to believe she had lost – even in the face of her own tragedy. It was Christmas Eve, 1969, while driving along a snowbound street, that she went crashing into a telephone pole: the impact hurled her through the windshield. She lost her left leg, ruptured her spleen, and went through a long series of agonizingly painful operations. Before the accident, she had been a statuesque beauty who worked as a model; she came out of it with four inches subtracted from her height, broken in body – but not in spirit. Her love for her war hero husband forbade her from letting him know anything of her condition: he knew nothing of the accident, and she refused to write him about it since it would only make his burden heavier.
From Justin's website;
THE RETURN OF THE INGRATE
Any man would be lucky to have such a fierce, unbending love: she stuck by him, agitating for his release, and living for the day of his return. Her devotion was repaid with rejection. He learned of her accident on the plane home, and wasted no time in getting rid of her. He was soon back to his old tricks of playing the field – "just as he had at the Naval Academy," says Grann – and soon sought a divorce. He openly acknowledges that his behavior was solely responsible for the break-up of his marriage, and seems to glory in the macho role while simultaneously professing at least some sense of remorse: "I think she has reason to be bitter," McCain told one interviewer.
I think this is going to be a problem again for Him, plus the Keating Five
_______
IS IT ALL TRUE? NO BETTER THAN THAT RAT GIULIANI.
HOW ABOUT ROMNEY OR HUCKABEE?
McCAIN IS A SLAVE TO THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
OIL AND ISRAEL. WHERE IN OUR CONSTITUTION DOES IT
SAY THAT OUR MILITARY SHOULD BE USED AS MERCENARIES
FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES. WHERE DOES IT SAY THAT WE
SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN NATION BUILDING AND FOREIGN
AID AND TELLING OTHER NATIONS HOW TO LIVE.
McCAIN IS A BUSH CLONE. THOSE WHO LOVE WAR
WILL VOTE FOR HIM.
McCAIN HAS ZERO EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
HE IS COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE GENERAL
POPULATION. THIS IS NO POPULARITY CONTEST. THE
FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY IS AT STAKE. WE NEED TO
RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL GOV'T AND DEFEND OUR
BILL OF RIGHTS. VOTE FOR RON PAUL.
THE ONLY THING THAT NEW HAMPSHIRE PROVED IS
THAT THEY NEED A RECOUNT. WATCH FOR THE
RESULTS OF IT. IT'S WHO COUNTS THE VOTES
WHO COUNTS. GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT. DON'T
TRUST THIS RIGGED ELECTRONIC VOTING.
Typo: McCain would be 80 years old at the end of two terms, which is still a point of concern.
Also FAIR TAX,LA.
I don't know if it really helps your cause to refer to others as "jerk..." or "pieces of..." Do you not realize that it would require working with those same people to get your favorite legislation passed? Using that type of divisive rhetoric certainly does not motivate them to join your cause. Just a thought.
Mitt Romney for a great economy and safe and secure America!
John McCain = A Grumpy Old Man = Who will keep us in Iraq for 100 years=And give Amnesty to all Illegals
Another Proud American supporting the new Chuck Huck campaign. Reverend Huckabee needs to stay in church where he belongs. He has allot of repenting to do for all of his sinning on the campaign trail. He is psreading lies like rice on a wedding day.
Reading these blogs has been a wonderful education for me. I no longer believe that people vote the way they do for rational reasons.
"IF OBAMA DOESNT WIN THEN IM JEST GUNNA VOTE FOR MCCAIN"
Most of you – not me and a very few others – vote with your gut. You have a feeling that this guy has a stronger character or more compassion or greater intelligence so you vote for him.
"HE WOULD OPEN THE BORDERS FOR MORE ILLEGAL ALIENS TO STAFF HIS WIFE'S RANCH."
Most of you vote for the "proper" candidate, the one who sounds most like you and your friends. You are not swayed by reason at all.
"...but they forget that the greatest republican president, Reagan, he gave amnesty to illegal immigrants. He secured the borders, which everyone agrees has to be done. But he had the moral decency to let those already here stay. If anything, we should follow that."
Most of you vote with your wallet, not with your mind. Will this tax bill save me a nickle in taxes while it bankrupts the country? Then I'm for it and the country can go to hell. Will it cost ME an extra nickle in taxes yet save kids' lives? Then I'm against it. Why should I pay my hard earned taxes to support someone else?
"If I can't afford healthcare her mandate does nothing for me."
The paper endorses insane McCain, so when did the media play a part of telling us to vote for someone...the media always tries to get involved becasue they want to be a special interest in that state that is having the primaries, the paper can go stick it!
They are a lib paper anyway...media, stay out out of politics and go get a real job.
Go Mitt!
As a South Carolinian, I can tell everyone that 'The State' is a Leftist newspaper that consistently has been out-of-touch with the people of South Carolina. It proves again just how out of touch it is with this silly endorsement. Consider that McCain's pro-NAFTA politics as well as his support for open-borders and amnesty clearly put him far from the South Carolina mainstream. As well, there is his recent strong condemnation of the St Andrews Cross, sure to draw the fire of many across the State. In short, McCain's worst enemy in South Carolina are his own policy positions.
Tell the truth about Senator Obama.... He's missed 85% of his time in Congress!! I want someone who will be president 100% of the time, not just 15%! Obama is slick talker, but a liar. I don't trust him.
MSM = in bed with John McCain (war mongerer)
Vote for a true LIBERAL, vote for John Mccain!!!!!!!!!!
'Speak SPANISH first',vote John Mccain!!!!!!!!!!
'I want open boarders,please vote for me,John Mccain!!!!!!