The Papers

After an exodus of unalloyed conservative thinkers over the past few weeks, the McCain-Palin ticket may next face a postscript-in-print if ardently Republican news rags choose rationality over self-righteousness in endorsing Obama. The Chicago Tribune isn't waiting:

"On Nov. 4 we're going to elect a president to lead us through a perilous time and restore in us a common sense of national purpose.The strongest candidate to do that is Sen. Barack Obama. The Tribune is proud to endorse him today for president of the United States."

Could the Wall Street Journal be next? The New York Post? Probably not, but after 161 years of unremitting Republican support (having never endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate), the Tribune's imprimatur of Obama may be prophetic. You can smell the Weltschmerz, the fug of still, dirty political water, wafting out of an ideologically-spent McCain campaign as the odious Palin skulks around with the partisan fringe in the back country increasing the stale air.

The Democratic rags have begun the expected procession of glowing Obama endorsements as well:

From the Washington Post:

"But 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."

So says China's People's Daily! Actually the endorsement is fairly-worded, even bemoaning the paper's inability to seriously consider a highly-respected John McCain ("We think that he, too, might make a pretty good president") due to his unfortunate running mate, Sarah Palin ("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.").

From the Los Angeles Times:

"We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement. We need a leader well-grounded in the intellectual and legal foundations of American freedom. Yet we ask that the same person also possess the spark and passion to inspire the best within us: creativity, generosity and a fierce defense of justice and liberty. The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president."

So says Cuba's Granma! Again, this endorsement comes with a heavy heart, lauding McCain as a backstop against flailing Bush policies ("John McCain distinguished himself through much of the Bush presidency by speaking out against reckless and self-defeating policies. He earned The Times' respect . . ."), yet refusing to throw-in with the ultimate arbiter of Sarah Palin's nomination ("His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory."). Go figure.

***UPDATE***: More paper endorsements released tilting heavily to Obama. The Tampa Tribune, however, endorses McCain: "Hard economic times, a disappointing Republican administration and the seductive promises of a master orator are pushing America toward a European-style social democracy. If you don't want that to happen, vote for Republican Sen. John McCain . . ."

The "seductive promises of a master orator?" Is Benny Hinn running for president?