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