Obama Endorsements

The San Jose Mercury News has published an editorial endorsing Barack Obama for president. Here are some excerpts:

Sen. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate with the best chance to unify the country and put it back on track. He is the candidate who can best restore the world's faith in America and America's faith in itself.

We recommend Obama as the Democratic nominee, believing that his political approach could eventually make as much history as being the first African American president. What tips the scales in Obama's favor is the freshness of his approach and the lack of political baggage he would bring to the White House.

Obama would dramatically change the nation's approach to foreign policy and domestic issues. While the substance might not differ substantially from Clinton's in many areas, he would have more cross-over appeal to independents and Republicans, whose support will be needed to bring about significant change.

They also specifically address Obama's biggest potential weakness:

The nagging doubt about Obama is his lack of experience. He has worked hard to prepare for the White House, and it's not clear another six years in the Senate would necessarily make him a better president.

For Obama, the important thing will be surrounding himself with intelligent and experienced advisers with a range of viewpoints and no reluctance to disagree with him. Abraham Lincoln's "Team of Rivals" would be the example here. Then it's a matter of deciding when to heed experience and when to follow his own instincts. Obama is smart enough to make good choices.

Followup (1/26/2008): The San Francisco Chronicle also has an endorsement of Obama. Some excerpts:

The American political system needs a period of reprieve and renewal. The renewal must come from a president who can lead by inspiration, who can set partisanship aside to define and achieve common goals, who can persuade a new generation of Americans that there is something noble and something important about public service.

As is often the case in a heavily contested primary, the relatively modest policy differences among the candidates have become magnified and inflamed beyond all due perspective. ... Clinton, who arrived in the U.S. Senate four years before Obama, has tried to make experience the issue. As senator, she has proved skillful at representing diverse New York interests and working with Republicans. But if she wants to highlight her White House experience as a defining difference, then it's only fair to point out that two of the projects she was most deeply involved with produced a debacle (health care) and scandals (fund raising).

In a Jan. 17 meeting with our editorial board, Obama demonstrated an impressive command of a wide variety of issues. He listened intently to the questions. He responded with substance. He did not control a format without a stopwatch on answers or constraints on follow-up questions, yet he flourished in it.

They have also posted a video of their interview with Obama.

Followup (1/27/2008): The Chicago Tribune has endorsed Obama. Summarizing his work on legislation in the Illinois Senate, they write:

Racial profiling, death penalty reform, recording of criminal interrogations, health care — when victory was elusive, Obama seized progress. He did so by working fluidly with Republicans and Democrats. He sought out his ideological foes. He listened closely to them. As a result, many Republicans in Illinois have warm words for Barack Obama.

Obama's key opponent, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, unifies only her foes. Her penchant for gaming every issue... feeds suspicion of maneuvering that would humble Machiavelli.

Followup (1/27/2008): Caroline Kennedy has written an op-ed essay for the NY Times in which she endorses Obama. She writes:

We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960. Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president.

Followup (1/28/2008): Ted Kennedy has decided to back Obama. He made the official announcement today in an appearance with Caroline. The Boston Globe has published the prepared text of his speech. In it he says:

What counts in our leadership is not the length of years in Washington, but the reach of our vision, the strength of our beliefs, and that rare quality of mind and spirit that can call forth the best in our country and our people.... And I know that he's ready to be president on day one.

There was another time, when another young candidate was running for President.... Harry Truman said we needed "someone with greater experience" — and added: "May I urge you to be patient." And John Kennedy replied: "The world is changing. The old ways will not do. It is time for a new generation of leadership."

Followup (1/28/2008): Toni Morrison — the Nobel- and Pulitzer-Prize winning author who famously called Bill Clinton "the first black president" — has written a letter endorsing Obama. An excerpt:

I came to the following conclusion: that in addition to keen intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you exhibit something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something I don't see in other candidates. That something is a creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom.... There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but you are the man for this time.

Okay, I'll stop adding to the list. It's already grown too long and I'm sure there will be more.

Followup (1/29/2008): I lied. Just one more...

This is by far the biggest endorsement yet. Randall Munroe, author of XKCD, backs Obama in a blog post. Excerpts:

Please support Barack Obama. I want, for once, someone I can vote for not because I dislike the other candidate, but because I’m proud of mine. Obama is the real thing.

I want someone who can lead the country. When people grow cynical and detached from government, or blinded by partisanship, evil runs amok. Obama represents an honest shot at making our government something we can be proud of. I’m tired of throwing things at CNN. I’m tired of feeling depressed when I read speeches by the founding fathers. I want Jon Stewart to smile again. For a brief moment, next Tuesday, we’ll have a shot at finally getting things right. Please help.

Okay, that's all. I promise.