Tampa Tribune Endorses McCain, Miami Herald Endorses Obama

In the battle of the newspaper endorsements, Republican John McCain won a round yesterday when the Tampa Tribune pronounced him the better presidential candidate. The Miami Herald endorsement went to Obama.

The Tampa Tribune proclaimed that the direction of the nation is at stake and advised those opposing a democratic style socialism to vote for McCain. The Tribune said, "Obama's vision of hope shines like a rainbow, appealing but just out of reach. McCain's call to freedom and responsibility is less exciting, but you know it works." Unlike most of the other newspapers issuing endorsements, the Tampa Tribune did not comment on the readiness of the vice presidential candidates to serve as president if necessary.

While praising both presidential candidates, the Herald called McCain's choice of Palin a turning point, saying she is simply not qualified to be commander in chief. McCain's "frantic" response to the economic crisis, fluctuating between campaign suspension and continuation and debate participation and cancellation, also affected the Herald's decision.

The Miami Herald endorsement concluded "Sen. Obama represents the best chance for America to make a clean break with the culture wars and failed policies of the past, and begin to restore the hope and promise of America as the world's greatest democracy."

Florida is a key battleground state with its 27 electoral votes and was secure McCain territory prior to the economic crisis.

The Orlando Sentinel, a traditionally Democratic leading newspaper, also endorsed Obama.

McCain campaigned in both Miami and in Melbourne in Brevard County Friday, hoping to swing public opinion his way.

Other leading newspapers around the country that weighed in on the election Sunday include the Houston Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman. Both endorsed Obama. The Chronicle cited McCain's selection of the"inexperienced and inflammatory" Palin as perhaps McCain's worst mistake in the campaign and suggested that its decision would have been harder had he chosen a moderate like Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

The San Antonio Express News stuck to its Republican roots and endorsed McCain, citing his judgment and experience, suggesting that 4 more years in the Senate would give Obama the record to match his inspiring rhetoric.

McCain has seen several leading Republican leaning media outlets endorse Obama this week, among them the Chicago Tribune and LA Times. Obama has been endorsed by 4 times as many newspapers as McCain, including respected national newspapers such as The Washington Post, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Philadelphia Inquirer,Detroit Free Press, the Denver Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Sun-Times and the Boston Globe.

Sources: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230; http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/McCain_is_the_best_choice_for_president.html; http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/730751.html; http://www.tampatrib.com/; http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230.