Breaking News: Hillary Clinton Secretary of State

Hillary Clinton has accepted the role of Secretary of State in Barack Obama's administration. Congratulations Mr. Canon.

Details to come...

Update: Full Story from New York Times

Palin turkey pardon interview blooper

I feel bad about posting this, but for the record I do not blame Sarah Palin for this blooper. Clearly her staff dropped the ball on this one and as a result they should be replaced. I understand the interview was live but the camera man could have cut Palin a break and moved to a close up shot once he saw what was happening in the background. Also the guy in the background with the turkey should have used some common sense when he saw the interview taking place and was stairing right at the camera when Palin was talking. Unfortunately this is a lesson to anyone in politics on how not to do a photo op. The decision to have her speaking with those machines in the background was questionable to say the least. Clearly Palin's people let the Governor down and should be held accountable for the embarassment caused to their boss. When you consider the prank call as well, one really has to wonder about the compotence of the people surrounding Gov. Palin. She has taken several shots recently in the media - some legitimate others unfair. This type of thing is the last thing she needs and it seems her staff are making 2012 harder and harder with each passing day. I suspect there are several blogging tories who could do a better job for her and at a much cheaper rate than those currently running the show. Governor Palin deserves better than this.
-Darryl

Hillary Clinton would be a great choice for Secretary of State

I hope the reports here, here, here, here, here and here are correct. Hillary Clinton would be an excellent choice given her experience and relationships she and Bill have with world leaders. I hope she is in fact the Secretary of State. A meeting between her and Lawrence Canon would be great to see. It was also great to see Obama have a face to face meeting with John McCain today. I am also excited about rumours that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may also get a position in cabinet.
-Darryl

Secretary of state job Clinton's, if she wants it, reports say

SIRI AGRELL

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

November 14, 2008 at 10:46 PM EST

Almost a year ago, Barack Obama was asked in a debate how he could rely on so many Bill Clinton-era advisers while still providing a break from the past, prompting his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton to burst out laughing.

Turning to face her, Mr. Obama deadpanned: “I'm looking forward to you advising me too, Hillary.”

Now president-elect, Mr. Obama it seems was not joking.

The pair took a secret meeting in Chicago this week, and Washington is abuzz with rumours that the New York senator will be tapped as his secretary of state.

CNN quoted Democratic sources as saying Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton had a serious discussion about the secretary of state job and that she left the meeting with the impression that it was hers if she wanted it. The Huffington Post blog went further, saying Ms. Clinton was offered the job and requested time to consider it.

But Mr. Obama also interviewed New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for the position yesterday, media reports said.

Mr. Obama has also begun staffing his White House, transition team and economic panel with former Clinton administration insiders.

After a two-year battle in which each politician was accused of disrespecting the other, it appears that the Obama-Clinton rift is being repaired, one job opening at a time.

His transition chief, John Podesta, was Bill Clinton's chief of staff during the last two years of his administration. Mr. Obama's own newly hired White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, was a senior Clinton adviser before winning a seat in the House of Representatives.

In fact, 31 of the 47 people named to Mr. Obama's transition team or staff have ties to the Clinton administration.

“He's definitely playing on good advice and past expertise and the most recent Democratic administration,” said Melissa Haussman, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University who worked on Ms. Clinton's presidential campaign. “The fact that Obama is inheriting problems that are the worst facing any president in the 20th century, he knows he's got to be prepared.”

Ironically, Dr. Haussman believes the new president learned that lesson from Mr. Clinton, whose own early White House staff was composed of some loyalists unprepared for the task at hand.

“They've got people with a whole lot of experience dealing with Congress, and that's something the Clinton White House was a little short on,” she said of the emerging Obama team.

While Mr. Obama's staff is drawing so heavily on administration insiders of the 1990s that Politico.com joked he is putting “the Clinton band back together,” the most symbolic gesture would be a high-profile position for Ms. Clinton.

Passed over for the vice-presidential slot, the primary runner-up campaigned for Mr. Obama during the general election and is regarded as a natural source of advice, expertise and political capital for Mr. Obama.

Already, she has been approached by Mr. Obama's wife, Michelle, for advice about raising kids in the White House. And now it seems Mr. Obama might be hoping she will help him contend with foreign policy as secretary of state.

But she is already being touted as a smart choice for the position, with an established international reputation that would help heal the country's damaged relationships abroad.

But what's in it for her?

Taking a position in cabinet means Ms. Clinton would lose her Senate seat and influence in domestic policy.

The past two secretaries of state, Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell, have been lightning rods for criticism, a situation Ms. Clinton may not be willing to endure again.

“Let's face it, as first lady and presidential candidate she was open to a lot of barbs and spears,” Dr. Haussman said. “It's a multiplicity of considerations, thinking about where her talents lie and how much does she want to put herself in a high-profile position again.”

Full Sarah Palin Prank Call

Les Justiciers Masques prank call Sarah Palin. I have to admit, I cannot believe it lasted as long as it did. This is pretty funny.
-Darryl

Knives come out for Palin

If this is true it is very disturbing. If she does not know that Canada and Mexico are part of NAFTA; one has to wonder if she is qualified to be governor of Alaska, let alone President. Personally I think these leaks are nothing more than supporters of other candidates for 2012 trying to tear down Palin as frontrunner. Not knowing Africa is a continent seems like a stretch. One thing that is certainly true, is that Palin only had one interview for the job of VP. I have gone through multiple interviews in the past to serve tables at banquets. Having said that, a lot of people are turning on Palin now; but she deserves credit for giving McCain some great headlines for a week while at the same time providing exciement and enthusiasism to his ticket.

Now that Sarah Palin has returned to Alaska as governor, I think Stephen Harper should try and set up a meeting. We face many common issues in the North and she could be an ally to our goals with regards to arctic sovereignty in Canada as well as issues relating to energy.
-Darryl

CNN Takes A Look At The Campaign That Made History

Great recap of the 2008 Presidential campaign from the primaries to election night. It clearly was a historic and exciting election. Great video montage that was put together.
-Darryl

My Reflections on the American and Canadian elections and the future under this new political landscape

October 14 Canadians went to the polls and November 4 Americans went to the polls and at the end of the day Stephen Harper of the Conservative Party and Barack Obama of the Democratic Party were easily elected to office in their respective countries.

Stephen Harper has a stronger minority at 143 seats and a stronger cabinet because of the increased talent pool. Following the Conservative convention in Winnipeg, Parliament will return on November 18.

Barack Obama will likely name an all-star cabinet with names like Colin Powell, Chuck Hagel, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John McCain, Michael Bloomberg, Warren Buffet, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, Caroline Kennedy, Al Gore and John Kerry mentioned as possibilities. His transition is taking place right now and he will be sworn in January 20, 2009.

Both leaders have now won the prize of an economy heading for recession, a war in Afghanistan and international pressure to do something about the environment. Both leaders must now face the same issues such as how to deal with China, Russia and Pakistan. There are wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Israel and Palestine conflict remains an ongoing issue. Threats of nuclear proliferation and terrorism still exist. There are emerging economies such as India and Brazil that offer both opportunity and threats to Western economies. Genocide is going on in Sudan and Congo. Even within the Americas, we have issues with Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela. Today the world is a small place and we are all integrated together as part of the global economy. As we have seen from the US financial crisis, what happens South of the border can have a huge impact in Canada and around the world.

The economy will be priority one and a new era has likely arrived in the international fight against climate change. Kyoto is dead and Obama will attempt to lead the world towards a new agreement once he becomes president. Healthcare will be interesting with Stephen Harper supporting universal healthcare in Canada while Barack Obama tries to bring universal healthcare to America. Already we have seen the Conservative government reach out to Barack Obama by proposing solutions on the environment file in a way that acknowledges the current state of the economy. Stephen Harper stuck to his principles that he would not sign an international climate change treaty that did not include the United States and other major polluters. Obama has set ambitious domestic targets and will want to show global leadership on the issue. This is Stephen Harper’s chance to act as a bridge between Europe and America while demonstrating that Canada too has a big role to play. NAFTA may come up as an issue, but Canada has signaled it will play the energy card in negotiations and could also open up the issue of fresh water. Issues with NAFTA from the perspective of the Americans could have more to do with Mexico such as labour and environmental standards as oppose to Canada where those standards are already in place. Obama has also promised to become energy independent from the Middle East and Hugo Chavez. To reach that goal, Canadian oil will be necessary. Together a strengthened Conservative Party in Canada will have to work with a strengthened Democratic Party in the United States. Both the Conservative Party and Democratic Party seem to want to show that they are moving closer to the centre. In Canada Conservatives are moving from the right while Democrats are doing the same from the left. There is every reason to believe right now that both Obama and Harper should be re-elected, but in politics things turn on a dime. Expect these two leaders to have good relations as both have an interest in a strong relationship between Canada and the United States as well as overall prosperity in North America.

Ironically the opposition parties in the United States and Canada have a lot in common right now as well. Neither the Republicans nor the Liberals have a leader and in both cases all of the frontrunners have some major baggage. Both the Republicans and the Liberals are having trouble fundraising while facing opponents who are earning a huge advantage with small donations from a high volume of people. The Liberals and Republicans have not found away to use the internet to their advantage at this point. Both the Liberals and Republicans are not national parties on the political map following the most recent elections and have shrunk to their very core base. Both have a sense of entitlement to power, offer out of touch platforms, lack principle and have a history of corruption and scandal during their time in power. Stephen Harper in 2006 and Barack Obama in 2008 were both elected on platforms of change and will now govern. Liberals and Republicans must change internally before they offer a credible government in waiting alternative to Conservatives and Democrats. Liberals will fight amongst themselves as Ignatieff and Rae divide the party. Republicans will have the same battles between those who Sarah Palin and others who would like to see anyone else. In both cases leadership is only a small part of the overall problems with these parties. Taking responsibility for losing and doing what it takes to win again is what really matters. Liberals blame CTV while Republicans point the finger at CNN. Building membership, picking a new leader, coming up with an appealing platform, improving fundraising and putting together a campaign machine is easier said then done. Both Liberals and Republicans have neglected the grassroots. The rebuilding process is more likely to take years not months. I predict both Republicans and Liberals will likely not have their acts together by the time the next election occurs and will face opponents that likely will have strong records to run on. For Liberals it will be difficult to watch Harper perform where he performs best on the world stage as a statesman. Every meeting between Obama and Harper will be a reminder to both Liberals and Republicans that they lack relevance and are not in power.

In the United States, this election is historic because Barack Obama is now the first African American elected president, young people voted in huge numbers creating generational change and two women in both the Republican and Democratic parties played crucial roles in the 2008 presidential race. Obama’s honeymoon will be short and domestic issues will be pressing. Americans want health care. Social security is becoming a major issue. The deficit and increasing debt threatens inflation. Consumer confidence, credit availability, employment, GDP growth, housing prices and individual savings are all going down. Manufacturing jobs are being outsourced to China and elsewhere and America is running a huge trade deficit. There will be pressure for protectionism. He must find away to get the troops out of Iraq both safely and responsibly as promised. Guantanamo Bay will be shut down as promised. Finally Obama has promised energy independence, action on the environment, tax cuts for the Middle Class and Canadian style healthcare. That will be tough to achieve in his first term. He has also promised to go after Bin Laden and add significant troops to win the war in Afghanistan. He will need allies and Canada with Stephen Harper as leader will be his most reliable ally. Even among America’s enemies and rivals such as Castro, Chavez, Kim Jong Il, Dmitri Medvedev, Hu Jintao and Ahmadinejad; reaction thus far has been positive to Obama’s victory. Already it looks like Obama has healed some of the American image lost under George W. Bush. Obama will bring change to American policy on many issues that will impact Canada. His election victory will give Stephen Harper an opportunity improve his image as a moderate and portray his party as being close to the center.

In Canada the agenda will likely be continuing the course of the last two years. Dept repayment and tax cuts if there is a surplus. Controlled spending. Balanced budgets. Tough on crime stance. Leadership on the world stage. A focus on native land claims. Working towards a climate change agreement that includes China, India and the United States. Limited interference in provincial and municipal jurisdictions. Expanding free trade agreements. Managing the mission in Afghanistan until 2011. A focus on families and Canadians who work hard and play by the rules. Attempts at democratic reform including the Senate. Dealing with needs in healthcare, infrastructure and poverty reduction. Harper was largely elected to maintain the status quo during these uncertain times. Obama is more likely to find a friend who is pro-American as oppose to a rival that is pro-Bush or Republican leaning. With Obama enjoying the support of 75% of Canadians, Stephen Harper is likely to benefit from Obama's popularity as the two are seen together engaged in heavily staged press conferences and photo ops on the world stage and during visits. He is unlikely to make time for Liberal leadership contenders should he make a Canadian visit early in his presidency. Obama may face filibusters in the senate as he failed to get an absolute majority of 60 seats. Harper must deal with a minority government and the reality that an election can occur at any time.

At the end of the day the election of Barack Obama helps Conservatives and Stephen Harper. We can now get something done without the opposition parties or media accusing us of being too close to George W. Bush. Any photo ops between Obama and Harper will look great in election brochures and television advertisements down the road. Liberals should resist the temptation, get caught up in the moment and try and rip off Obama as a quick fix. Once the hype wears off, he will face serious challenges and have real decisions to make. He may not be as popular tomorrow as he is today. On top of that Liberals already jumped on the green trend after Elizabeth May’s second place showing in London. The result of that decision was Stephane Dion and electoral disaster. Liberals shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. The Star also had a good article taking a closer look at Obama’s positions on Kyoto, gay marriage and other issues. Their conclusion was that if Obama was involved in Canadian politics, he would barely qualify as a red tory. In terms of the Obama campaign, all parties could learn from it and implement some of the strategies, especially those used online in future elections. What Obama brings is change and a new reality to international and American politics. On November 18, the Conservative Party and Stephen Harper will set out a vision for governing in this new political climate with a speech from the throne that will be an automatic confidence vote.

Yes we can to free trade. Yes we can to great relations between Canada and the United States. Yes we can to victory with our NATO partners in Afghanistan. Yes we can to tax cuts for the middle class. Yes we can on the environment. Yes we Can on the arctic. Yes we Can to turning around this economy. Yes we can to tough diplomacy with our enemies. Yes we can to facing tough challenges that are not yet evident. Yes we Can to the best possible relations between Stephen Harper and Barack Obama for their mutual benefit. President Obama and Prime Minister Harper have a lot of mutual challenges that must be worked on together. I have no doubt that both have the leadership qualities to guide their nations through these difficult times. Barack Obama and Stephen Harper have far more in common than issues that divide them.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

Harper, Obama have 'warm exchange' in congratulations call: PMO

These leaders have far more in common than most people think. I am quite sure relations will be strong between these two great leaders. Tuesday will prove to be a great day for both Canada and the United States. It is likely that they will have an opportunity to meet at the G20 summit where Bush has invited Obama to attend. I must say that the positive reaction among the world community, American citizens and world leaders if far greater than I expected. Barack Obama becoming President of the United States is inspirational and demonstrates that America truly is a land of opportunity. I fully expect a warm relationship between Harper and Obama. The media focusing on "NAFTA-gate" is really not relevant as it appears that there is no hard feelings from what went on in the primaries. I think Stephen Harper and the new Conservative cabinet have done a great job in protecting and promoting our interests with the incoming American administration.
-Darryl

George W. Bush comments on Barack Obama's victory

President Bush speaks from the White House to congrat Sen. Barack Obama and assure the U.S. of a smooth transition of office.

Prime Minister Harper congratulates President Obama

I look forward to great relations between the two leaders and our two great nations. There are a lot of challenges that Canadians and Americans need to face together. Afghanistan, the economy, free trade and the environment are just a few of the major issues that will have to be dealt with over the next couple of years. I look forward to the first meeting between the two leaders. I also look forward to President Obama's first visit to Canada.
-Darryl

***

TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he hopes to speak to U.S. president-elect Barack Obama as soon as today.

At a news conference in Toronto today, Mr. Harper said Mr. Obama's election victory is a “truly inspiring moment” in American political history.

He said the U.S. has undergone tremendous change in a few generations, and electing the country's first African-American president is a significant part of that.

Mr. Harper said he hopes to speak to Mr. Obama in the very near future — possibly even today — and he looks forward to meeting him in person.

The Prime Minister praised Mr. Obama for running a great election campaign and said he and his staff plan to study it.

Mr. Harper noted that Mr. Obama faces tremendous challenges in the financial crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but said Canada will be there for the U.S. as its most reliable ally in the world.

***

Obama and McCain Speeches from Last Night

Barack Obama's historic victory speech. Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States of America:




Classy John McCain concession speech:

Barack Obama elected President of the United States!!!

Congratulations to President Obama and the United States. Tonight is a huge night in the history of America.

Currently 133-155 with several states still to be decided
Democrats control at least 56 Senate seats and have a majority in the House

Update: Very classy speech from John McCain. Historic and moving victory speech for Barack Obama.

World reaction is positive. This win is already restoring America's image. Yesterday's win was emotional for the African American community and this election has brought out the best in America again.

The Republican Party must now start a long rebuilding process. The party is going to have to be more inclusive and return to their economic conservative roots.

At the end of the day, there was no way that McCain could have won this race given the record of George W. Bush. The focus will now shift to Sarah Palin and others as the future of the party.

Markets are flat today. The US election has not had much impact on trading thus far.

Barack Obama will become President of the United States officially on January 20.

Indiana, North Carolina and Missouri have not officially been called. Results look like an Obama win in Indiana and North Carolina with McCain picking up Missouri. If that holds, final results will be 364 to 174 in electoral college votes. Obama made gains in Ohio, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina, Nevada and Iowa.

Democrats have picked up at least 56 Senate seats. 4 races have still not been called including Al Franken in Minnesota. Elizabeth Dole was defeated easily in North Carolina.

Joe Lieberman is expected to meet with Democrats this week about his future. At a minimum expect him to lose his chairmanship. It is quite possible he will be booted from the caucus altogether.

Democrats easily carry the balance of power in the House earning at least 251 seats.

Turnout was impressive. Numbers are still coming in but it looks like over 138 million Americans voted making last night's election the highest turnout in a century. For the first time young voters cast their ballots and the results obviously had an impact based on exit polling. This race represents a generational change.

Interesting ballot initiatives:

-Arizona passes a ban on gay marriage and the hiring of illegal aliens. Florida also passes a ban on gay marriage. Initiative in California too close to call.
-Arkansas bans gays from adopting children
-Michigan votes to allow medical marijuana and stem cell research
-Massachusetts decriminalizes small amounts of weed and bans dog racing
-Nebraska ends affirmative action
-Washington allows doctor assisted suicide
-It appears all motions restricting abortion have failed
-California bans cramped cages for chickens
-California rejects making 20% of power supply renewable by 2010
-Maine ends new tax on beer
-English is now the official language of Missouri
-Several gambling measures pass except in Ohio

Overall a historic night in the United States. Congratulations to President elect Barack Obama for making history and becoming America's first African American president.

Update: CNN Projects Obama the winner



CBS Projection



Reaction in Chicago:



Party at the White House:



World Reaction:

10 Things that will impact the US Election Outcome

Frankly, I think that by 8:00pm E.S.T. tonight, Barack Obama will be declared the next president of the United States of America. This will be confirmed or denied based on several factors that will determine the outcome of tonight's historic election.

1, Turnout among young, African American, Hispanic and Native voters. Traditionally all these groups do not vote in high numbers. Many are predicting this will change based on the candidacy of Barack Obama. If any of these groups turn out in large numbers, expect some surprises in states that went red in 2004. An influx of young and African American voters could in itself be enough to win the election for Obama tonight.

2, State of Ohio. McCain must win here. If he doesn't, it is difficult to see how mathmatically he can win enough electoral college votes to reach 270. Polls in Ohio will close fairly early tonight.

3, State of Pennsylvania. This is the only blue state that McCain has any chance of flipping that Kerry won in 2004. If McCain expects to lose in any of the states Bush won in 2004, he will need Pennsylvania to make up the difference.

4, The Palin influence and Conservative turnout. Say what you want about Sarah Palin, she has energized and motivated the conservative base for McCain. This vote must turn out. If too many McCain supporters look at the polls over the past five weeks, listen to the pundits and media, and come to the conclusion that their vote will not matter; McCain is in serious trouble. Having been on losing campaigns before, I can tell you it is tough to motivate your volunteers and supporters when you are in a situation like McCain finds himself in. Many have argued that sometimes polls hurt democracy. We could see this happen tonight.

5, Independent voters. As a maverick, McCain was very appealing to independent voters and moderate Democrats. With Sarah Palin as his running mate and in order to win the Republican nomination; McCain has been criticized by some for going to far to the right and alienating his independent support. Exit polls will likely show how independent voters cast their ballots. If this number goes heavy for Obama; it will be a bad sign for Republicans and for Palin's future.

6, Florida. If it votes in favor of Barack Obama, John McCain will lose.

7. Republican states Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, Arizona, Indiana, North Dakota, Montana, and Nevada. If Obama wins in any of these states; McCain must make up the difference somewhere. McCain is playing defence. He needs the same victory as Bush in 2004. There is not much margin for error on any of these states. Polls show Obama competitive if not leading in virtually all of these states.

8, Turnout and its impact on Senate, Congress and Governor races. Republican Alaska Senator Ted Stevens could be in trouble as a result of a recent conviction. Elizabeth Dole is in trouble in North Carolina. If we see a surge in turnout for Obama, will those votes translate to other Democrats as well. The Democratic Party is likely to control the White House, Congress and Senate. High turnout for Obama in a state like North Carolina could result in a loss for Dole. If this happens elsewhere where Republican senators are in trouble, the magic 60 number could become realistic. 60 Senators would give Democrats a filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

9, Potential Obama victory speech. Will he try and reduce expectations for his presidency should he get elected tonight? There is serious concerns that Obama supporters, Democrats and the international community have set expectations for an Obama presidency that is not realistic. History will likely be made tonight and there will be a lot of hype and excitement. Given the fiscal crisis however, too high expectations could hurt his chances to get re-elected in the long term.

10, Republican concession speeches. Will Palin run in 2012? Will Republicans look to regroup and rebuild? What might be in McCain's plans for the future? How will Republicans react to the results. If Obama loses will he try again in 2012. What will Hillary say? What will be the fallout of an Obama loss, especially if there is a perception of voting irregularities? Who will be on the next president's transition team. What will tonight's results mean for the current President George W. Bush. There has been two years of build up for this election night. There has been little talk about what the potential impact will be tomorrow. International newspapers will also be interesting as they react to the results.

Overall, I stick to my original prediction of 378-160 for Obama tonight. I also think Obama will achieve over 50% of the vote with an unusually high turnout.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

Obama: We have a lot of work to do

Obama warns supporters not to let up.
-Darryl



The American People are the Answer

Economist Magazine endorses Barack Obama

Economist was a strong endorsement for Obama. You can view a list of all Obama's endorsements by clicking here. Below is also a tally of all of the newspapers that have supported either Obama or McCain. Obama has a 273-142 lead in Newspaper endorsements. The Economist was impressive.
-Darryl

***

It's time

Oct 30th 2008
From The Economist print edition

America should take a chance and make Barack Obama the next leader of the free world

IT IS impossible to forecast how important any presidency will be. Back in 2000 America stood tall as the undisputed superpower, at peace with a generally admiring world. The main argument was over what to do with the federal government’s huge budget surplus. Nobody foresaw the seismic events of the next eight years. When Americans go to the polls next week the mood will be very different. The United States is unhappy, divided and foundering both at home and abroad. Its self-belief and values are under attack.

For all the shortcomings of the campaign, both John McCain and Barack Obama offer hope of national redemption. Now America has to choose between them. The Economist does not have a vote, but if it did, it would cast it for Mr Obama. We do so wholeheartedly: the Democratic candidate has clearly shown that he offers the better chance of restoring America’s self-confidence. But we acknowledge it is a gamble. Given Mr Obama’s inexperience, the lack of clarity about some of his beliefs and the prospect of a stridently Democratic Congress, voting for him is a risk. Yet it is one America should take, given the steep road ahead.

Thinking about 2009 and 2017

The immediate focus, which has dominated the campaign, looks daunting enough: repairing America’s economy and its international reputation. The financial crisis is far from finished. The United States is at the start of a painful recession. Some form of further fiscal stimulus is needed, though estimates of the budget deficit next year already spiral above $1 trillion. Some 50m Americans have negligible health-care cover. Abroad, even though troops are dying in two countries, the cack-handed way in which George Bush has prosecuted his war on terror has left America less feared by its enemies and less admired by its friends than it once was.

Yet there are also longer-term challenges, worth stressing if only because they have been so ignored on the campaign. Jump forward to 2017, when the next president will hope to relinquish office. A combination of demography and the rising costs of America’s huge entitlement programmes—Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid—will be starting to bankrupt the country. Abroad a greater task is already evident: welding the new emerging powers to the West. That is not just a matter of handling the rise of India and China, drawing them into global efforts, such as curbs on climate change; it means reselling economic and political freedom to a world that too quickly associates American capitalism with Lehman Brothers and American justice with Guantánamo Bay. This will take patience, fortitude, salesmanship and strategy.

At the beginning of this election year, there were strong arguments against putting another Republican in the White House. A spell in opposition seemed apt punishment for the incompetence, cronyism and extremism of the Bush presidency. Conservative America also needs to recover its vim. Somehow Ronald Reagan’s party of western individualism and limited government has ended up not just increasing the size of the state but turning it into a tool of southern-fried moralism.

The selection of Mr McCain as the Republicans’ candidate was a powerful reason to reconsider. Mr McCain has his faults: he is an instinctive politician, quick to judge and with a sharp temper. And his age has long been a concern (how many global companies in distress would bring in a new 72-year-old boss?). Yet he has bravely taken unpopular positions—for free trade, immigration reform, the surge in Iraq, tackling climate change and campaign-finance reform. A western Republican in the Reagan mould, he has a long record of working with both Democrats and America’s allies.

If only the real John McCain had been running

That, however, was Senator McCain; the Candidate McCain of the past six months has too often seemed the victim of political sorcery, his good features magically inverted, his bad ones exaggerated. The fiscal conservative who once tackled Mr Bush over his unaffordable tax cuts now proposes not just to keep the cuts, but to deepen them. The man who denounced the religious right as “agents of intolerance” now embraces theocratic culture warriors. The campaigner against ethanol subsidies (who had a better record on global warming than most Democrats) came out in favour of a petrol-tax holiday. It has not all disappeared: his support for free trade has never wavered. Yet rather than heading towards the centre after he won the nomination, Mr McCain moved to the right.

Meanwhile his temperament, always perhaps his weak spot, has been found wanting. Sometimes the seat-of-the-pants method still works: his gut reaction over Georgia—to warn Russia off immediately—was the right one. Yet on the great issue of the campaign, the financial crisis, he has seemed all at sea, emitting panic and indecision. Mr McCain has never been particularly interested in economics, but, unlike Mr Obama, he has made little effort to catch up or to bring in good advisers (Doug Holtz-Eakin being the impressive exception).

The choice of Sarah Palin epitomised the sloppiness. It is not just that she is an unconvincing stand-in, nor even that she seems to have been chosen partly for her views on divisive social issues, notably abortion. Mr McCain made his most important appointment having met her just twice.

Ironically, given that he first won over so many independents by speaking his mind, the case for Mr McCain comes down to a piece of artifice: vote for him on the assumption that he does not believe a word of what he has been saying. Once he reaches the White House, runs this argument, he will put Mrs Palin back in her box, throw away his unrealistic tax plan and begin negotiations with the Democratic Congress. That is plausible; but it is a long way from the convincing case that Mr McCain could have made. Had he become president in 2000 instead of Mr Bush, the world might have had fewer problems. But this time it is beset by problems, and Mr McCain has not proved that he knows how to deal with them.

Is Mr Obama any better? Most of the hoopla about him has been about what he is, rather than what he would do. His identity is not as irrelevant as it sounds. Merely by becoming president, he would dispel many of the myths built up about America: it would be far harder for the spreaders of hate in the Islamic world to denounce the Great Satan if it were led by a black man whose middle name is Hussein; and far harder for autocrats around the world to claim that American democracy is a sham. America’s allies would rally to him: the global electoral college on our website shows a landslide in his favour. At home he would salve, if not close, the ugly racial wound left by America’s history and lessen the tendency of American blacks to blame all their problems on racism.

So Mr Obama’s star quality will be useful to him as president. But that alone is not enough to earn him the job. Charisma will not fix Medicare nor deal with Iran. Can he govern well? Two doubts present themselves: his lack of executive experience; and the suspicion that he is too far to the left.

There is no getting around the fact that Mr Obama’s résumé is thin for the world’s biggest job. But the exceptionally assured way in which he has run his campaign is a considerable comfort. It is not just that he has more than held his own against Mr McCain in the debates. A man who started with no money and few supporters has out-thought, out-organised and outfought the two mightiest machines in American politics—the Clintons and the conservative right.

Political fire, far from rattling Mr Obama, seems to bring out the best in him: the furore about his (admittedly ghastly) preacher prompted one of the most thoughtful speeches of the campaign. On the financial crisis his performance has been as assured as Mr McCain’s has been febrile. He seems a quick learner and has built up an impressive team of advisers, drawing in seasoned hands like Paul Volcker, Robert Rubin and Larry Summers. Of course, Mr Obama will make mistakes; but this is a man who listens, learns and manages well.

It is hard too nowadays to depict him as soft when it comes to dealing with America’s enemies. Part of Mr Obama’s original appeal to the Democratic left was his keenness to get American troops out of Iraq; but since the primaries he has moved to the centre, pragmatically saying the troops will leave only when the conditions are right. His determination to focus American power on Afghanistan, Pakistan and proliferation was prescient. He is keener to talk to Iran than Mr McCain is— but that makes sense, providing certain conditions are met.

Our main doubts about Mr Obama have to do with the damage a muddle-headed Democratic Congress might try to do to the economy. Despite the protectionist rhetoric that still sometimes seeps into his speeches, Mr Obama would not sponsor a China-bashing bill. But what happens if one appears out of Congress? Worryingly, he has a poor record of defying his party’s baronies, especially the unions. His advisers insist that Mr Obama is too clever to usher in a new age of over-regulation, that he will stop such nonsense getting out of Congress, that he is a political chameleon who would move to the centre in Washington. But the risk remains that on economic matters the centre that Mr Obama moves to would be that of his party, not that of the country as a whole.

He has earned it

So Mr Obama in that respect is a gamble. But the same goes for Mr McCain on at least as many counts, not least the possibility of President Palin. And this cannot be another election where the choice is based merely on fear. In terms of painting a brighter future for America and the world, Mr Obama has produced the more compelling and detailed portrait. He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfil his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12516666&source=features_box_main

***

MONDAY Tally Of Newspaper Endorsements -- Obama In Landslide, at 273-142

By Greg Mitchell and Dexter Hill Published: November 03, 2008 12:25 PM ET Monday NEW YORK (Updated Monday) We're into election eve! And the Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race for daily newspaper endorsements. The Democratic team now leads by 273 to 142, a nearly 2-1 margin and an even wider spread in the circulation of those papers -- see full tally below as of today. The circulation of the Obama-backing papers stands at over 21 million, compared with McCain's 7 million. McCain has slightly closed the gap with editorials from smaller papers arriving this past weekend. But he lost Newsday in New York and the Arizona Daily Star in his home state. Obama's lopsided margin, including most of the major papers that have decided so far, is in stark contrast to John Kerry barely edging George W. Bush in endorsements of dailies in 2004 by 213 to 205. We've greatly added below to the separate lopsided lists of weekly and college papers. They are not counted in the tally of dailies. Well over 50 papers have now switched to Obama from Bush in 2004, with less than half a dozen flipping to McCain. The latest: the daily in Dick Cheney's hometown of Casper, Wyoming and the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, several top papers that went for Bush in 2004 have now chosen not to endorse this year, the latest being the Indianapolis Star in key swing state Indiana. The Chicago Tribune endorsed Obama--the first Democrat that it has backed in its long history. Three of the top five dailies in deep red state Texas switched from Bush to Obama this time. Please send any endorsements you see or make (that are not listed below) to: gmitchell@editorandpublisher.com. For more coverage on the media and the campaign, go to our new blog: The E&P Pub As always, we include in brackets below who the paper went with in 2004 with B=Bush and K=Kerry. The >>> signals the latest additions. (B) = Bush; (K) = Kerry; (N) = No Endorsement in 2004 BARACK OBAMA 273 newspapers total More than 22,000,000 circulation total ALABAMA (7) >>> The Anniston Star (K) >>> The Daily Home (Talladega) >>> The Decatur Daily Montgomery Advertiser (K): 45,060 >>> The Selma Times-Journal TimesDaily (Florence): 29,200 The Tuscaloosa News (K): 32,768 ALASKA (1) Anchorage Daily News (K): 62,893 ARIZONA (1) >>>Arizona Daily Star (Tucson) (K) ARKANSAS (1) >>> Benton County Daily Record (Bentonville) CALIFORNIA (30) The Argus (Fremont) (K): 26,749 Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek) (K): 183,086 Daily Breeze (Torrance) (B): 66,599 The Daily Democrat (Woodland): 8,883 Daily News (Los Angeles) (K): 137,344 The Daily Review (Hayward) (K): 30,704 The Fresno Bee (K): 150,334 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario) (B): 53,903 La Opinion (Los Angeles) (K): 114,892 Los Angeles Times (N): 773,884 Marin Independent-Journal (K): 31,909 Merced Sun-Star (K): 15,015 The Modesto Bee (K): 78,001 The Monterey County Herald (K): 28,933 The Oakland Tribune (K): 96,535 Pasadena Star-News (B): 27,894 The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa): 78,022 Press-Telegram (Long Beach) (B): 85,595 The Reporter (Vacaville) (B): 17,751 San Gabriel Valley Tribune (B): 40,051 San Mateo Daily Journal: 14,800 Tahoe Daily Tribune: 7,723 The Record (Stockton) (B): 57,486 The Sacramento Bee (K): 288,755 San Bernardino County Sun (B): 54,315 San Francisco Chronicle (K): 370,345 San Jose Mercury News (K): 234,772 San Mateo County Times (K): 25,982 Santa Cruz Sentinel (K): 23,290 Tri-Valley Herald (Pleasanton) (B): 29,759 COLORADO (9) Aspen Daily News (K): 12,500 >>> The Aspen Times Aurora Sentinel (K): 46,000 Cortez Journal (K): 6,700 Daily Camera (Boulder) (K): 28,994 The Denver Post (B): 225,193 Durango Herald (K): 8,870 Fort Collins Coloradoan (K): 26,312 Vail Daily: 10,525 CONNECTICUT (5) The Day (New London) (K): 34,730 The Hartford Courant (B): 168,158 New Haven Register (B): 72,613 >>> The News-Times (Danbury) Norwich Bulletin (K): 22,121 DELAWARE (1) The News Journal (Wilmington) (K): 110,171 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (1) The Washington Post (K): 673,180 FLORIDA (12) Daytona Beach News-Journal (K): 99,627 Florida Today (Melbourne) (K): 79,499 The Gainesville Sun (K): 44,658 The Ledger (Lakeland) (B): 65,948 The Miami Herald (K): 240,223 Naples Daily-News (B): 66,272 Orlando Sentinel (K): 227,593 The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach) (K): 164,474 Pensacola News Journal: 57,069 St. Petersburg Times (K): 316,007 Sarasota Herald-Tribune (K): 114,904 South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ft. Lauderdale) (K): 218,286 GEORGIA (3) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (K): 326,907 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (B): 42,830 The Macon Telegraph (K): 56,510 HAWAII (1) Honolulu Star-Bulletin (K): 64,305 IDAHO (1) The Idaho Statesman (Boise) (K): 61,927 ILLINOIS (8) Chicago Tribune (B): 541,663 Chicago Sun-Times (K): 312,274 Daily Herald (Arlington Heights) (K): 143,152 Herald & Review (Decatur) (B): 34,480 Lake County News-Sun (Waukegan) (B): 16,899 The Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal) (B): 47,764 The Register-Mail (Galesburg): 13,344 Rockford Register Star (K): 55,913 INDIANA (5) >>> The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Journal and Courier (Lafayette-West Lafayette) (K): 34,545 The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) (K): 64,304 Palladium-Item (Richmond) (B): 15,453 The Star Press (Muncie): 31,512 IOWA (6) The Des Moines Register (K): 138,472 Globe-Gazette (Mason City)(B): 17,666 The Hawk Eye (Burlington) (K): 18,921 Iowa City Press-Citizen (K): 13,352 The Ottumwa Courier: 16,904 Quad-City Times (Davenport) (K): 51,890 KANSAS (2) The Hays Daily News: 12,414 The Hutchinson News (K): 31,019 KENTUCKY (3) The Ledger Independent (Maysville): 9,074 Lexington Herald-Leader (K):109,624 The Courier-Journal (Louisville) (K): 215,328 LOUISIANA (2) The Times (Shreveport): 52,267 The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (N): 179,834 MAINE (4) Bangor Daily News (K): 55,627 >>> Kennebec Journal (Augusta) (K) Portland Press Herald (K): 64,938 The Times-Record (Brunswick ) (K): 9,317 MARYLAND (3) >>> The Daily Times (Salisbury) >>> The Star-Democrat (Easton) (B) The Sun (Baltimore) (K): 232,360 MASSACHUSETTS (12) The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield) (K): 26,427 The Boston Globe (K): 350,605 Cape Cod Times (Hyannis) (B): 49,832 Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton): 18,001 >>> The Enterprise (Brockton) North Adams Transcript: 5,949 The Patriot Ledger The Recorder (Greenfield): 13,578 The Salem News: 29,125 >>> Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg) The Standard-Times (New Bedford) (K): 30,306 Telegram & Gazette (Worcester) (K): 81,437 MICHIGAN (11) The Bay City Times (K): 30,183 Battle Creek Enquirer (K): 20,854 The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak): 9,396 Detroit Free Press (K): 308,944 The Flint Journal (K): 76,288 The Lansing State Journal (K): 58,948 Livingston County Daily Press & Argus (Howell) (K): 13,131 The Muskegon Chronicle (K): 41,114 >>> Petoskey News-Review (K) The Saginaw News (K): 39,143 Traverse City Record-Eagle (K): 27,797 MINNESOTA (5) Albert Lea Tribune: 6,315 Post-Bulletin (Rochester): 44,631 St. Cloud Times (K): 25,868 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (K): 321,964 Winona Daily News MISSISSIPPI (2) >>> The Commercial Dispatch (Columbus) >>>Clarion-Ledger (Jackson) MISSOURI (5) Columbia Daily Tribune (K): 18,131 The Joplin Globe (B): 26,700 The Kansas City Star (K): 252,785 St. Louis Post-Dispatch (K): 255,057 >>> West Plains Daily Quill (K) MONTANA (3) Billings Gazette (K): 45,530 >>> Independent Record (Helena) >>> The Montana Standard (Butte) NEVADA (2) Las Vegas Sun (K): 174,341 Reno Gazette-Journal (K): 57,423 NEW HAMPSHIRE (5) Concord Monitor (K): 19,885 The Conway Daily Sun (Conway-North Conway)(N): 16,100 The Keene Sentinel (K): 12,119 Nashua Telegraph (K): 24,272 Portsmouth Herald (K): 11,658 NEW JERSEY (10) Asbury Park Press (Neptune-Asbury Park) (B): 140,882 >>> Courier News (Bridgewater) Courier-Post (Camden-Cherry Hill): 66,617 >>> Daily Record (Parsippany) The Gloucester County Times (Woodbury) (K): 23,189 Home News Tribune (East Brunswick): 49,076 The New Jersey Herald (Newton) (B): 14,660 The Record (Hackensack) (K): 163,329 The Star-Ledger (Newark) (K): 345,130 The Times (Trenton) (K): 54,745 NEW MEXICO (3) Las Cruces Sun-News (B): 21,341 The Daily Times (Farmington) (B): 17,485 The Santa Fe New Mexican (K): 25,249 NEW YORK (16) The Buffalo News (K): 178,365 Daily Freeman (Kingston) (N): 17,909 Daily News (New York City) (B): 703,137 The Daily Star (Oneonta) (K): 14,391 el Diario (K): 53,856 Hoy (New York City): 35,410 The Journal-News (White Plains) (K): 108,092 >>> Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls) >>> Union-Sun & Journal (Lockport) >>>Newsday (Melville) The New York Times (K): 1,077,256 The Post-Standard (Syracuse): 110,061 The Post-Star (Glens Falls) (K): 30,265 Poughkeepsie Journal (B): 37,265 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (K): 145,913 The Times Herald-Record (Middletown): 75,745 Times Union (Albany) (K): 89,256 NORTH CAROLINA (6) The Asheville Citizen-Times (K): 50,160 The Charlotte Observer (K): 210,616 The Daily Reflector (Greenville) (K): 21,703 The Herald-Sun (Durham) (N): 32,845 The News & Observer (Raleigh) (K): 176,083 Star-News (Wilmington) (K): 47,620 OHIO (13) Akron Beacon Journal (K): 119,929 The Blade (Toledo) (K): 119,901 Dayton Daily News (K): 116,690 >>> The Independent (Massillon) JournalNews (Hamilton) (B): 19,432 Middletown Journal: 17,285 News Journal (Mansfield) (B): 28,272 Telegraph-Forum (Bucyrus): 5,969 The Repository (Canton) (B): 65,789 The Times-Reporter (Dover-New Philadelphia) (B): 22,428 Springfield News-Sun (K): 24,684 The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (N): 330,280 Vindicator (Youngstown) (B): 56,412 OKLAHOMA (2) Muskogee Daily Phoenix & Times-Democrat (K): 14,816 The Norman Transcript: 12,921 OREGON (8) The Ashland Daily Tidings: 5,010 Corvallis Gazette-Times: 12,092 East Oregonian (Pendleton) (K): 9,071 The Daily Astorian (Astoria) (K): 8,263 Mail Tribune (Medford) (K): 30,349 The Oregonian (Portland) (K): 304,399 The Register-Guard (Eugene) (K): 67,400 Statesman Journal (Salem) (K): 47,152 PENNSYLVANIA (21) Beaver County Times (K): 38,654 >>> The Courier-Express (Du Bois) The Daily Item (Sunbury) (N): 24,879 The Daily Review (Towanda): 7,900 The Delaware County Daily Times (Primos-Upper Darby): 42,879 Erie Times-News (B): 55,397 The Express-Times (Easton) (B): 44,561 >>> The Herald (Sharon) Herald-Standard (Uniontown) (K): 24,341 Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster): 46,357 The Mercury (Pottstown): 21,186 >>> New Castle News Observer-Reporter (Washington) (K): 31,755 The Patriot-News (Harrisburg): 95,588 The Philadelphia Daily News: 107,269 The Philadelphia Inquirer (K): 334,150 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (K): 214,374 Pocono Record (Stroudsburg): 18,276 Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre) (K): 38,229 The Times-Tribune (Scranton): 52,711 York Daily Record (B): 47,969 RHODE ISLAND (1) The Providence Journal (B): 139,055 TENNESSEE (3) Chattanooga Times (K): 71,716 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (K): 146,961 The Tennessean (Nashville) (K): 161,131 TEXAS (8) Austin American-Statesman (B): 170,309 The Eagle (Bryan-College Station): 21,654 Fort Worth Star-Telegram (B): 207,045 Houston Chronicle (B): 494,131 Longview News-Journal (K): 27,590 The Lufkin Daily News (K): 12,225 >>> Marshall News Messenger San Angelo Standard-Times: 24,919 UTAH (1) The Salt Lake Tribune (B): 121,699 VERMONT (4) Bennington Banner (K): 6,502 Brattleboro Reformer (K): 8,814 The Burlington Free Press (K): 41,901 Valley News (White River Junction) (K): 16,430 VIRGINIA (1) The News Leader (Staunton) (B): 17,238 WASHINGTON (11) The Columbian (Vancouver) (B): 44,623 >>> The Daily World (Aberdeen) The News Tribune (Tacoma) (K): 111,778 The Olympian (Olympia) (K): 30,755 Seattle Post-Intelligencer (K): 129,563 The Seattle Times (K): 220,883 The Sun (Bremerton): 28,792 Tri-City Herald (Pasco-Kennewick-Richland) (K): 40,830 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (K): 13,624 The Wenatchee World: 22,579 Yakima Herald-Republic (B): 38,077 WEST VIRGINIA (3) Charleston Gazette (K): 48,061 The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) (K): 27,463 Times West Virginian (Fairmont): 10,415 WISCONSIN (9) The Capital Times (Madison) (K): 16,335 The Chippewa Herald (Chippewa Falls) (B): 6,720 Kenosha News (K): 24,535 La Crosse Tribune (K): 31,759 >>> Marshfield News-Herald (11,332) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (K): 217,755 Stevens Point Journal: 11,234 The Wausau Daily Herald (K): 20,828 Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (B): 87,930 JOHN McCAIN 142 newspapers total More than 7,543,919 circulation total ALABAMA (6) The Birmingham News (B): 140,438 >>> Clanton Advertiser >>> Demopolis Times >>> The Dothan Eagle >>> The Gadsden Times Press-Register (Mobile) (B): 99,433 ALASKA (1) >>> Juneau Empire ARIZONA (2) The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (B): 413,332 The Daily Courier (Prescott): 17,800 ARKANSAS (2) >>> Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) Southwest Times Record (Fort Smith) (B): 40,231 CALIFORNIA (11) The Bakersfield Californian (B) 59,433 >>> Chico Enterprise-Record >>> The Daily Independent (Ridgecrest) The Desert Sun (Palm Springs-Palm Desert) (B): 53,091 >>> The Eureka Reporter The Examiner (San Francisco) (B): 80,000 Napa Valley Register (B): 16,283 North County Times (Escondido-Oceanside): 88,786 The Press-Enterprise (Riverside) (B): 164,189 The San Diego Union-Tribune (B): 288,669 >>> Times-Herald (Vallejo) COLORADO (3) The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction) (B): 31,349 The Pueblo Chieftain (B): 49,169 Daily Times-Call (Longmont) (B): 21,127 CONNECTICUT (3) Connecticut Post (Bridgeport) (B): 76,014 The Register Citizen (Torrington) (B): 8,217 >>> Rebuplican-American (Waterbury) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (2) The Washington Examiner (N): 100,073 The Washinton Times (B): 93,763 FLORIDA (4) The Bradenton Herald (K): 48,618 Cape Coral Daily Breeze: 2,015 Palatka Daily News: 11,000 The Tampa Tribune: 220,522 GEORGIA (2) The Augusta Chronicle (B): 68,434 Savannah Morning News (B): 47,709 IDAHO (1) The Times-News (Twin Falls) (B): 20,325 ILLINOIS (4) Kane County Chronicle (St. Charles): 12,564 Morris Daily Herald (Morris): 7,258 The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana) (B): 42,302 Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake) (B): 36,594 INDIANA (1) >>> The Times (Munster) IOWA (4) >>> The Gazette (Cedar Rapids – Marion) The Messenger (Fort Dodge) (B): 16,355 Times-Republican (Marshalltown): 9,349 Sioux City Journal (B): 41,096 KANSAS (1) Lawrence Journal-World: 18,946 KENTUCKY (3) >>> The Advocate-Messenger (Danville) >>> The Daily Independent (Ashland) Daily News (Bowling Green) (B): 21,240 MAINE (1) Sun Journal (Lewiston): (B): 34,035 MARYLAND (1) The Baltimore Examiner (N): 50,000 MASSACHUSETTS (3) Boston Herald (B): 182,350 The Eagle-Tribune (Lawrence) (B): 46,281 The Sun (Lowell) (B): 44,439 MICHIGAN (4) The Detroit News: 188,171 The Grand Rapids Press (B): 128,930 Jackson Citizen Patriot (B): 30,825 >>> The Macomb Daily (Mount Clemens) The Oakland Press (Pontiac) (B): 66,422 MINNESOTA (6) The Journal (New Ulm) (B): 7,920 The Daily Globe (Worthington): 9,109 The Daily Journal (International Falls): 3,703 >>> Duluth News Tribune The Pioneer (Bemidji) (B): 9,018 Republican Eagle (Red Wing): 6,837 MISSOURI (1) The Sunday News Tribune (Jefferson City): 17,890 NEBRASKA (4) Lincoln Journal Star (B): 78,350 McCook Daily Gazette: 5,903 Norfolk Daily News: 16,492 Omaha World-Herald (B): 178,545 NEVADA (2) Elko Daily Free Press (B): 8,485 Las Vegas Review-Journal (B): 174,341 NEW HAMPSHIRE (3) Eagle Times (Claremont): 7,903 Foster’s Daily Democrat (Dover) (B): 22,547 New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester) (B): 51,782 NEW MEXICO (3) >>> Albuquerque Journal Roswell Daily Record: 11,700 >>> Silver City Daily Press & Independent NEW YORK (1) New York Post (B): 702,488 NORTH CAROLINA (2) >>> The Hickory Daily Record >>> Winston-Salem Journal NORTH DAKOTA (3) >>> The Bismarck Tribune The Forum (Fargo) (B): 48,303 >>> Minot Daily News OHIO (8) >>> The Advertiser-Tribune (Tiffin) The Cincinnati Enquirer (B): 212,369 The Columbus Dispatch (B): 199,524 The Courier (Findlay) (B): 22,319 The Marietta Times: 10,645 The Morning Journal (Lorain): 25,334 The News-Herald (Lake County-Willoughby) (B): 36,948 The Tribune Chronicle (Warren): 29,364 OKLAHOMA (4) Enid News & Eagle (B): 17,323 Examiner-Enterprise (Bartlesville): 18,400 The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (B): 201,771 >>> Tulsa World OREGON (4) Albany Democrat-Herald: 16,891 Baker City Herald: 3,151 The Bulletin (Bend) (B): 32,455 Daily Courier (Grants Pass) (B): 16,178 PENNSYLVANIA (6) Lancaster New Era: 40,068 Public Opinion (Chambersburg) (N): 16,679 The Sentinel (Lewistown) (B): 11,863 Times-Observer (Warren): 10,313 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown): 37,673 >>> Tribune-Review (Greensburg) SOUTH CAROLINA (4) The Greenville News (B): 81,010 Herald-Journal (Spartanburg) (B): 42,380 >>> The Post and Courier The State (Columbia) (B): 101,010 SOUTH DAKOTA (2) Argus Leader (Sioux Falls) (B): 48,960 The Daily Republic (Mitchell) (B): 12,742 TENNESSEE (4) Chattanooga Free Press (B): 71,716 The Jackson Sun (K): 32,121 Knoxville News Sentinel (B): 117,262 The Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville) (B): 20,354 TEXAS (12) Amarillo Globe-News (B): 44,764 The Beaumont Enterprise (B): 45,684 Corpus Christi Caller-Times (K): 53,368 The Dallas Morning News (B): 368,313 The Galveston County Daily News: 26,933 Kerrville Daily Times: 8,971 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (B): 49,094 New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung: 8,599 >>> The Paris News San Antonio Express-News (B): 225,447 Tyler Morning Telegraph: 35,598 Wichita Falls Times Record News (N): 28,888 VIRGINIA (10) Bristol Herald-Courier (B): 38,068 >>> Culpeper Star-Exponent Danville Register & Bee (B): 19,830 Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg): 30,908 Daily Press (Newport News-Hampton) (K): 91,508 >>> The Daily Progress (Charlottesville) The News & Advance (Lynchburg) (B): 33,931 The News-Virginian (Waynesboro): 7,478 Richmond Times-Dispatch (B): 175,265 The Winchester Star (B): 20,218 WASHINGTON (2) The Chronicle (Centralia-Chehalis): 13,912 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane) (B): 89,779 WEST VIRGINIA (2) >>> The Intelligencer (Wheeling) Wheeling News-Register (B): 12,821 WISCONSIN (2) Beloit Daily News (B): 14,193 Green Bay Press-Gazette: 53,600 WEEKLIES & OTHER BARACK OBAMA (91) Alibi (Albuquerque) Arkansas Times (Little Rock) Athens News (Ohio) Austin Chronicle Baltimore City Paper Boston Phoenix Boulder Weekly C-Ville Weekly (Charlottesville, VA) Charleston City Paper Chico News & Review City Pulse (Lansing) The Colorado Daily Colorado Springs Independent Cincinnati CityBeat City Newspaper (Rochester, NY) The Columbia Independent (New York) Creative Loafing (Atlanta) Creative Loafing (Charlotte) Creative Loafing (Sarasota) Creative Loafing (Tampa) The Economist EPG News Eugene Weekly Falls Church News-Press (Virginia) Financial Times (daily) Gunnison Country Times (Colorado) Hunterdon Review (Clinton, NJ) Independent Weekly (North Carolina) Indian Country Today Jackson Free Press (Mississippi) Las Vegas CityLife Las Vegas Weekly Long Island Press Los Angeles CityBeat >>> Lynden Tribune (Washington) The Mac Weekly (Macalester College) Memphis Flyer Metro Pulse Metro Santa Cruz Metro Silicon Valley Metro Times (Detroit) Metroland (Albany) Michigan Chronicle (Detroit) Monterey County Weekly (Seaside, CA) Newcity (Chicago) News-Herald (Southgate, MI) >>> The Newtown Bee (Connecticut) New York Observer News-Register (McMinnville, OR) North Bay Bohemian Orlando Weekly Ouray County Plaindealer (Colorado) The Pacific Northwest Inlander (Spokane, WA) Palo Alto Weekly Pasadena Weekly The Portland Mercury The Portland Observer (Oregon) Portland Phoenix Providence Phoenix >>> Queens Tribune (New York) Random Lengths News Reno News & Review Roxbury Register (New Jersey) San Diego CityBeat San Francisco Bay Guardian Santa Barbara Independent (California) Santa Monica Mirror (California) Santa Fe Reporter >>> The Savannah Tribune (Georgia) Scene (Cleveland) Shepherd Express (Milwaukee) The Source Weekly (Bend, OR) >>> South Florida Times (Fort Lauderdale) Southtown Star (Chicago) Southwest News-Herald (Chicago) >>> The St. Louis American The Sylva Herald & Ruralite The Storm Lake Times (Iowa) The Stranger (Seattle) The Taos News (New Mexico) The Tennessee Tribune (Nashville) Tideland News (Swansboro, NC) Tuscon Weekly (Arizona) The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg) Windsor Beacon (Colorado) Metro Santa Cruz (California) Ventura County Reporter >>> Weston Forum (Connecticut) >>> The Westside Gazette (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Willamette Week (Portland, OR) Worcester Magazine Yamhill Valley News-Register (McMinnville, OR) (B) JOHN McCAIN (21) Bureau County Republican (Illinois) Coweta American (Oklahoma) The Culpeper Times (Virginia) >>> Eufaula Tribune (Alabama) The Fauquier Times-Democrat (Virginia) The Frontiersman (Alaska) The Garden City News (New York) Hillsboro Argus (Oregon) The Hudson Star-Observer (Wisconsin) >>> The Jackson Herald Mountain Valley News (Colorado) Lampasas Dispatch Record (Texas) Paradise Post (California) Rappahannock News (Virginia) >>> The Redding Pilot (Connecticut) River Falls Journal (Wisconsin) >>> The Sand Mountain Reporter The Star (Wisconsin) >>> The Wetumpka Herald (Alabama) Wharton Journal-Spectator (Texas) Woodburn Independent (Oregon) COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS BARACK OBAMA (66) Advance-Titan (University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh) The Amherst Student (Amherst College) Arizona Daily Wildcat (University of Arizona) Badger Herald (University of Wisconsin – Madison) The Bates Student (Bates College) The Berkeley Beacon (Emerson College) Central Florida Future (University of Central Florida) Central Michigan Life (Central Michigan University) The Chronicle (Duke University) Columbia Daily Spectator (Columbia University) Cornell Daily Sun (Cornell University) The Crimson (Harvard University) The Daily Athenaeum (West Virginia University) Daily Bruin (UCLA) The Daily Californian (University of California, Berkeley) The Daily Campus (Southern Methodist University) The Daily Cardinal (University of Wisconsin – Madison) Daily Eastern News (Eastern Illinois University) Daily Evergreen (Washington State University) The Daily Gamecock (University of South Carolina) The Daily Illini (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) Daily Kent Stater (Kent State University) The Daily Nexus (UC – Santa Barbara) Daily Northwestern (Northwestern University) The Daily Pennsylvanian (University of Pennsylvania) Daily Texan (University of Texas – Austin) The Davidsonian (Davidson College) El Vaquero (Glendale Community College) The Et Cetera (Eastfield College) The Flat Hat (College of William & Mary) The Independent Collegian (University of Toledo) Indiana Daily Student (Indiana University) Iowa State Daily (Iowa State University) The Justice (Brandeis University) The Lamron (SUNY – Geneseo) The Louisville Cardinal (University of Louisville) Mace and Crown (Old Dominion University The Mac Weekly (Macalester College) The Maneater (University of Missouri) The Middlebury Campus (Middlebury College) The Miami Student (Miami University) The Michigan Daily (University of Michigan) The Michigan Journal (University of Michigan – Dearborn) Minnesota Daily (University of Minnesota) >>> The Mirror (Fairfield University) New University (UC – Irvine) Northern Star (Northern Illinois University) Oklahoma Daily (University of Oklahoma) The Optimist (Abeline Christian University) The Orient (Bowdoin College) The Orion (California State University – Chico) The Pacer (University of Tennessee – Martin) The Parthenon (Marshall University) The Phoenix (Swarthmore College) Pipe Dream (SUNY – Binghamton) The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh) The Point News (St. Mary’s College) The Post (Ohio University) The Reporter (Stetson University) The Rocket (Slippery Rock University) The State News (Michigan State University) >>>The Tech (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Tufts Daily (Tufts University) The University Daily Kansan (University of Kansas) The University News (Saint Louis University) The Voice (Washtenaw Community College) JOHN McCAIN (2) The Criterion (Mesa State College) Daily Mississippian (University of Mississippi) CHOOSING TO MAKE NO ENDORSEMENT (22) Abilene Reporter-News Colorado Springs Gazette (N) The Fairfax County Times (Virginia) The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) Fort Meyers News-Press The Huntsville Times The Marietta Register (Ohio) The Morning Call (Allentown) Mountain Home News (Idaho) Loudoun Times Mirror (Virginia) The Roanoke Times (Virginia) Springfield News-Leader The Record Searchlight (California) >>> Rocky Mount Telegram (North Carolina) Rocky Mountain News (Colorado) St. Paul Pioneer Press The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) Waco Tribune Herald (Texas) Indianapolis Star (B) Ann Arbor News (B) Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star (B) Ventura County Star

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230