LA Times endorses Obama, McCain
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/02/01/art.obama.mccain.gi.ap.jpg caption="The LA Times endorsed Obama and McCain Friday ."](CNN) - Barack Obama and John McCain Friday won the backing of the Los Angeles Times, one of the most-read newspapers in the United States and most influential in delegate-rich California.
In separate editorials, the paper praised Obama as an "inspiring leader who cuts through typical internecine campaign bickering," and McCain as a consistent conservative with "fundamental individualism."
Both presidential endorsements are the paper’s first since 1972.
"[Obama] electrifies young voters, not because he is young but because he embodies the desire to move to the next chapter of the American story," the editorial read. "He brings with him deep knowledge on foreign relations and on this nation's particular struggles with identity and opportunity. His flair for expression, both in print and on the stump, too easily leads observers to forget that Obama is a man not just of style but of substance."
The paper also praised Hillary Clinton, but faulted the New York senator for her original Senate vote authorizing use of force in Iraq.
"Experience has value only if it is accompanied by courage and leads to judgment. Nowhere was that judgment more needed than in 2003, when Congress was called upon to accept or reject the disastrous Iraq invasion. Clinton faced a test and failed, joining the stampede as Congress voted to authorize war," the editorial read.
On John McCain, the liberal editorial board noted it disagrees with many of his stands on social issues, but wrote, "The Arizona senator's conservatism is, if not always to our liking, at least genuine.
"It reflects his fundamental individualism, spanning his distrust of big government, his support for immigration reform and his insistence on a sound American foreign policy," the editorial read.
California voters head to the polls Super Tuesday, February 5.
- CNN Producer Alexander Mooney
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It won't help. They're both gonna' lose.
LA Times is liberal. Everyone knows it. That's why they endorsed the most liberal Republican- John McCain.
The media is really trying to decide this for us aren't they??? It won't work. Clinton is still ahead in the polls for a reason!
oh yeah and today the Denver post endorsed Hillary....cnn be fair!!!
Even if endorsements don't hold much weight, I think this could be an important factor in continuing Barack Obama's momentum going into Tuesday!
OBAMA 2008 THANK YOU LA TIMES!!! TELL THE TRUTH
SOME OF THE DEMS, like the Clintons, NEVER LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES!!!
I really believe that it is going to take the active support of Hillary for the DEMS to lose the White House again; Remember Gore and Kerry? How short minded can the Dems really be in this nation. Gore and Kerry (each a stronger candidate than Hillary) were the "accidents" of the Clintons– The Dems lost each time!!!!!
Currently, the Dems are celebrating the "huge number of voters" out there for them because of the Independents (like myself), moderate Republicans, and young voters that have been brought onboard by Obama. Let us wait until the Dems put up Hillary as the nominee and the "voting pool" will run dry!!
This is yours Dems to lose again; it always takes the Clintons for the Dems to lose the White House or to deal with issues of moral corruptions!!!
WISE and Intelligent Dems should simply stay AWAY from the Clintons; they are the source of "curse" for the Dems!!!!
No Clinton, not even Bill, can ever restore the ECONOMIC fortunes of the past; the conditions of the past (e.g., Internet bubble) that made that happen are simply NOT there today. The Clintons burnt their bridges BEFORE thet left (in disgrace), the White House!!! And guess what? Hillary has been making stronger enemies since!
It's really great to have another newspaper endorse Senator Obama. I nice to know which newspaper has folks who have really done their home-work, and know who to choose in the political arena. They sound like really smart people. Great for the LA-Times! Go Obama!!
Who cares what the LA Times thinks. They supported Kerry, Dukakis and Mondale too... and they all lost!
I love the media... the more they pour it on, the more the American people get sick of it.
GO HILLARY!!! Super Tuesday will show the media just what happened in New Hampshire!
I wish these endorsers & media would find other things to do. We can think for ourselves...
Looks like the LA Times is going with the real winner last night.
The next President of the United States Barack Obama!!!
Hillary should get an Academy Award for her scripted
inauthentic "performance" last night-give her a gold statue....
AND GIVE OBAMA the keys to 1600 PA Ave!!!!
LA Times are clearly anti-woman. Who needs them?
Newspaper endorsements dont usually mean much. But this one probably stings. Obama needs to do well in CA, and this only adds to his momentum in the big state. Last Gallup poll shows him with 3 points in both CA and nationally. Only a couple of weeks ago he was down 20. Who's the real "comeback kid"?
Good! I am glad to hear that the LA Times is endorsing Obama! I watched the debate last night, and when the war was mentioned I was hoping that Sen. Obama would have pointed out that NOT only did he not support the war and Hillary voted for it. BUT that Hillary voted for the war so that she would not have to explain why she is "soft on defense" which at the time was a big deal, especially after 9/11. Hillary voted for this war because it would benefit Hillary. Period. I just hope that Californians voting this Tuesday will join us, here in Utah, in voting for Sen. Obama!
They did not endorse Hillary and stated that her "war" vote was the reason but then endorsed McCain. How ridiculous.
Barack will be in Minneapolis tomorrow. They gave away 10,000 e-tickets online in hours and handed out 10,000 paper tickets in the first 5 hours of distributing them throughout the state. The response here In Minnesota has been amazing.
I will attend my 1st ever political event tomorrow to hear Obama speak. I like thousands perhaps millions of Americans are becoming involved in the political process for the 1st time because of Obama. My mother is going to the event with me. She has never voted in her 58 years. Finally, in my mothers adult lifetime there is someone who inspires her to vote and inspires millions of people to become involved in their government.
ONLY Barack Obama can produce the high levels of excitement, inspiration and participation that we have been witnessing in America. ONLY Barack Obama can take this country to a higher place.
I am very excited about the possibilities for our country...As long as we are smart and TRULY DO WANT CHANGE.
I like how the LA Times faults Hillary for her vote but not McCain??? Just doesn't make a bit of sense.....but the LA Times never does!!!!
Campaign supernova?
This is a huge and POWERFUL endorsement and could very well put Obama over the top in California.
YES WE CAN !
Congrats on winning California Mr. Senator!
OBAMA IN 2008!
Honesty, integrity, sound judgement and the ability to inspire! These are the hallmarks of great leadership. These qualities are embodied in Senator Barack Obama.
Join the movement and usher in a new generation of inspirational politics.
OBAMA FOR AMERICA!!!
I hate that people keep bringing up Clinton's vote to go to war. At the time 80% of the country was ready to go to war. the fact that we now know it was the wrong decision does not make Clinton anti-war. Obama says he would have never gone to war. Of course because he wasn't in the senate at the time and he was not privy to any of the information that the senate had. Guaranteed had he been in the senate he would have voted to go to war most in the senate.
And let's not forget the vote by the senate was not to go to war. It was a vote to that allowed or authorized the president to use force if necessary. The vote was not pro-war.
Papers and everyone else need to stop with the endorsements and let the people decide.
Obama is growing wild with endorsements. If this guy wins the nomination McCain cannot even come close to competing with him bc the messages will be diametrically opposite and distinct. McCain who is bad in debates will lose his temper and maybe throw in the F word
The LA Times is owned by the Chicago Herald Tribune. Mama bear Tribune Co. likes to fire editors there that don't tow the line. There is no surprise or objectivity in that endosement and it could have been predicted a year ago.
I am a LA Times supporter. Big endorsement for Obama- congratulations to him, but it probably will not translate into many votes.
(I can't withhold my irritation with CNN for not making a big deal when NYTimes endorsed Hillary.)