THE ORLANDO SENTINEL ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"[John McCain] can be the agent of change for which many voters are clamoring He has been battling business as usual in the Capitol -- especially its weak ethics and irresponsible budgeting -- for years. Mr. McCain is one of the most authoritative voices in Congress on national security and foreign affairs, two core responsibilities for any president. ... His qualifications to be president are beyond dispute." -- The Orlando Sentinel

Excerpts From "Our Position: The Arizona Senator Is Clearly The Most Qualified Of The Contenders"
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel January 20, 2008

No clear front-runner has emerged among Republican presidential candidates after the party's early primaries. But there is a clear choice when it comes to the most qualified: U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

First elected to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1986, Mr. McCain knows his way around Washington, D.C. But his maverick's record of taking on GOP leaders and special interests shows he can be the agent of change for which many voters are clamoring. He has been battling business as usual in the Capitol -- especially its weak ethics and irresponsible budgeting -- for years.

Mr. McCain is one of the most authoritative voices in Congress on national security and foreign affairs, two core responsibilities for any president. He understands that U.S. influence is rooted not only in military might, but also in maintaining strong alliances and American values such as the humane treatment of prisoners.

[On] two of his most controversial stands -- support for comprehensive immigration reform and more U.S. troops in Iraq -- he has stuck to his principles at the risk of sinking his campaign.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, by contrast, has abandoned positions that would have alienated his party's conservative base on abortion, stem-cell research, gay rights, gun control, taxes and immigration policy. Mr. Romney can boast of a successful track record in both business and government. But with his latest reinvention, it's hard to know what he really stands for, and what kind of president he might be.

Rudy Giuliani is rightly appreciated for his often effective leadership as New York's mayor, especially after the 9-11 attacks. His experience on foreign affairs, however, doesn't approach Mr. McCain's. And Mr. Giuliani's call for a massive new tax cut amid continuing deficits shows his commitment to fiscal responsibility isn't as strong.

Ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee deserves praise for injecting a civil tone into this year's campaign, but a series of gaffes has exposed his lack of depth on foreign affairs ... And his lurches to the right on immigration and taxes mark an unfortunate break from his bipartisan and pragmatic style as governor.

Mr. McCain stands out, even in this year's crowded field. He has taken positions with which we disagree, but his qualifications to be president are beyond dispute.

The Sentinel endorses John McCain for the nomination in Florida's Republican Primary.

Read The Orlando Sentinel Editorial: "Our Position: The Arizona Senator Is Clearly The Most Qualified Of The Contenders"