RSS
|
Mobile
|
Daily Emails
|
We Twitter
| Make us your home page
AUSTIN -- With no home-state candidate named George Bush on the ballot, Texas newspapers abandoned their overwhelming Republican endorsements of past presidential races and threw some support behind Democrat Barack Obama.
But Republican John McCain picked up a share of major newspaper endorsements, too.
Bush, the former Texas Republican governor, was the widespread pick on Texas opinion pages in the 2000 and 2004 presidential races. And his father, George H.W. Bush, was a favorite in his 1988 and 1992 campaigns. The newspapers weren't so solidly in the GOP's corner this year, even though McCain is favored to win here.
The Houston Chronicle said in a Sunday editorial that it "strongly believes that the ticket of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden offers the best choice to lead the United States on a new course into the second decade of the 21st century."
Had McCain chosen a moderate, experienced Republican like Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison as his running mate, instead of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Chronicle said its endorsement choice would have been far more difficult.
In choosing Obama, the Chronicle endorsed a Democrat for president for the first time since picking Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1964.
The Dallas Morning News endorsed McCain. The newspaper acknowledged that Americans want change and said both Obama and McCain "offer new deals to a tense, weary nation."
"In better times, America could afford to consider entrusting the White House to an appealing newcomer like Mr. Obama and giving control of the presidency and Congress to the same party," the Morning News wrote. "But in this time of great anxiety, the American people need a leader of experience guiding the ship of state. Mr. McCain offers the continuity, stability and sense of authority people want, as well as a decisive break from the Bush years."
The San Antonio Express-News also endorsed McCain, arguing that he has a proven record of fighting "the bipartisan fiscal irresponsibility that prevails in Washington" and that he better understands the world and national security.
The Austin American-Statesman backed Obama on Sunday. It said even though he is a relative newcomer, Obama has a firm grasp of the problems and solutions on such issues as taxes, foreign policy, energy and health care.
The Eagle said it is confident Obama can lead the nation forward and that even though Obama doesn't have all the answers, he is at least asking the right questions.
Meanwhile, the Amarillo Globe-News said Obama "mirrors the tax-and-spend philosophies of liberal Democrats, which is not the type of change the nation needs." The newspaper endorsed McCain, saying he has a conservative track record and the right mix of moderation to lead the country in a positive direction.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal also endorsed McCain. It said McCain has a better understanding of issues ranging from national security to the economy to energy to immigration.
