Washington Post: Obama for President

In another major newspaper endorsement for Barack Obama, The Washington Post today urged readers to vote for the Democratic nominee on November 4th, saying "…it is without ambivalence that we endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president."

"Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building," says the endorsement. "At home, we believe, he would respond to the economic crisis with a healthy respect for markets tempered by justified dismay over rising inequality and an understanding of the need for focused regulation."

"Abroad, the best evidence suggests that he would seek to maintain U.S. leadership and engagement, continue the fight against terrorists, and wage vigorous diplomacy on behalf of U.S. values and interests. Mr. Obama has the potential to become a great president. Given the enormous problems he would confront from his first day in office, and the damage wrought over the past eight years, we would settle for very good."

And, as most papers have done in endorsing Obama, The Post cited John McCain's flawed judgment in selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate as yet another reason that Obama is the obvious choice.

"The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president."

Despite the barrage of personal attacks leveled at Obama by the McCain campaign, the newspaper specifically cited the Illinois senator's personal qualities as a strong consideration in their endorsement.

"Mr. Obama's temperament is unlike anything we've seen on the national stage in many years. He is deliberate but not indecisive; eloquent but a master of substance and detail; preternaturally confident but eager to hear opposing points of view. He has inspired millions of voters of diverse ages and races, no small thing in our often divided and cynical country. We think he is the right man for a perilous moment."

You can go here to read the entire editorial.