THE MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"Republicans have an excellent choice in Arizona Sen. John McCain. ... McCain's record as a war hero and his long service in the U.S. Senate give him a perspective on foreign policy that his opponents don't have." -- Memphis Commercial Appeal
Excerpts From "Clinton, McCain Best Prepared"
EditorialMemphis Commercial AppealJanuary 27, 2008
... Republicans have an excellent choice in Arizona Sen. JOHN McCAIN. ...
In the Republican primary, McCain's well-deserved reputation as a maverick could be looked upon as either an asset or a liability.
Some conservatives dislike McCain because of his independent streak on some issues. McCain has opposed legalized abortions, but supported stem cell research.
He opposed a ban on assault weapons, but supported criminal background checks for people who purchase firearms at gun shows.
He advocated securing our nation's borders to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, but also supported a program to give some of those immigrants a path to citizenship.
Some people have and will continue to criticize McCain for failing to more strictly adhere to right-wing ideology.
It is this board's position, however, that such nuanced positions demonstrate McCain's ability to recognize that complex problems require complex solutions that can't always be referenced in a partisan political handbook.
McCain's record as a war hero and his long service in the U.S. Senate give him a perspective on foreign policy that his opponents don't have. He's been a leading advocate in Congress for campaign finance reform. He's been outspoken about the need to outlaw torture and provide proper legal representation for military prisoners.
He seems genuine about his interest in developing alternative fuel sources to combat global warming and reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil. He believes in spending what is necessary to maintain a strong military, but also wants to reduce "pork barrel" spending within the federal budget.
Among McCain's opponents, Mitt Romney's business acumen and his executive experience as governor of Massachusetts make him an impressive candidate.
On the balance, though, McCain seems to have more to offer. McCain seems to have a broader appeal among moderates and independents, which would be useful in uniting the country behind a set of common goals.
For all of those reasons and more, this page recommends McCain in the Republican primary.
Read The Entire Memphis Commercial Appeal Editorial: "Clinton, McCain Best Prepared"