Cincinnati Enquirer Backs McCain

Cincinnati Enquirer Backs McCain

by Marilyn Mackenzie

 

I very seldom read the Sunday newspaper on Sunday.  We don't get the paper.  We pick it up after church.  By then, it's time to start making lunch, and time just gets away.  Monday morning is usually the time that I finally get to read the Sunday paper.

This morning as I opened it up, I was thrilled to discover that the Cioncinnati Enquirer had backed McCain.  (Actually, I'm not thrilled when newspapers back candidates.  But they do it, so I'm glad the Enquirer is supporting McCain.)

The headline reads:  Senator brings his character, courage, experience

It's a long article that begins:

Many Americans consider the Nov. 4 presidential election to be by far the most important one of our lifetime, a histoic turning point for our nation.

We are divided over our involvement in wars overseas, shaken by the collapse of financial institutions and the weakened economy, uncertain about our families' future well-being, and seemingly more polarized on partisan, cultural and regional lines than ever before.

This is a time for a president with deep experience and proven character, a president who thrives in the great, good, honest middle ground in which most Americans live, a president forthright enough to tell us what we'd rather not hear, a president with the courage to follow his convictions and the grit to persevere.

This is Sen. John McCain's time.

We endorse the Arizona Republican for President.

The article points out the differences in the issues as seen from Obama's eyes and from McCain's.  While the Enquirer admits that Obama is a better campaigner, the newspaper feels that based upon McCain's record of leadership, he will be a far better president than candidate.  And that IS what's important.

For cities like Cincinnati, where one of the largest employers - Procter & Gamble - has many local jobs tied to sales abroad, Obama's "barely veiled attacks on free trade are also unsettling." 

The Cincinnati Enquirer said, "And his plans to punish businesses that 'take jobs overseas' may have a satisfying populist ring to many Americans, but the truth is that it would hurt the efforrs of companies tha produce substantial income overseas to sustain jobs here at home.  Obama's policy actually could send more jobs overseas."

Enquirer points out that Obama has a record that lies to the left but he's running as a centrist.  The newspaper poses questions about whether or not he can govern from the middle or whether he'll even be able to do that with a Congress controlled by Democrats.

The paper thinks it would be easier to see John McCain stand up to Nancy Pelosi or vetoing a bill than Obama.  They believe that McCain would better preserve a divided government, which would serve the American people.  In their words, "the prospect of unchecked one-party rule is disquieting."

About the healthcare issue, the Enquirer said, "McCain's plan is clearly more progressive than Obama's, with tax credits stimulating competition, encouraging consumer responsibility, and counterig the traditional employer-provided coverage subsidies that are unfair to those who don't have such coverage.  McCain's strategy is one thar Obama's now-chief economic adviser, Jason Furman, advocated two years ago.  Obama would continue the current path of incremental steps toward a completely government controlled and rationed care system."

The Enquirer ends with these words:  "America needs an experienced, skilled hand in the White House, someone who can exercise a moderating influence, someone who can summon the courage to change and the consistency to stick with his convictions.  That someone, we believe, is John McCain."

I could not have said it better myself. 

To read the entire Cincinnati Enquirer endorsement, click here: Endorsement: McCain for President