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