THE WALTHAM DAILY NEWS TRIBUNE (MA) ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"Mitt Romney's record here in Massachusetts has also escaped scrutiny. A competent, if often indifferent, manager, he was neither effective nor inspiring as a leader. ... Sen. John McCain stands head and shoulders above this crowd. On policy, we often disagree, but we've long been impressed by his willingness to take principled stands that go against his political self-interest." -- The Daily News Tribune
Excerpts From "Primary Endorsements"
EditorialThe Daily News Tribune January 27, 2008
... For Republicans: John McCain
George W. Bush's disappointing presidency has left Republicans divided and dispirited, which is reflected in their cast of candidates. All have flaws, but one has qualities that make him our clear choice.
Of the remaining candidates, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is the most entertaining, with an engaging wit and a take on economic issues that contrasts with the corporate Republicanism of his opponents. But his inexperience in foreign and military affairs is troubling, some of his policy prescriptions are curious and he shows a disturbing tendency to blur the distinctions between church and state.
Rudy Giuliani is a legend in his own mind, a man whose performance over a few days following the attacks of 9/11 blinded many Republicans to his real record. While things improved dramatically while he was mayor of New York, nearly every other large American city saw similar reductions in crime and welfare rolls. His real record, before 9/11 and after he left office, betrays tendencies toward arrogance, cronyism and overreaching.
Mitt Romney's record here in Massachusetts has also escaped scrutiny. A competent, if often indifferent, manager, he was neither effective nor inspiring as a leader. His actions seemed more geared toward burnishing his own credentials than solving real problems. As we've seen in the presidential campaign, Romney has the constancy of a weathervane.
Sen. John McCain stands head and shoulders above this crowd. On policy, we often disagree, but we've long been impressed by his willingness to take principled stands that go against his political self-interest. He alienated the most powerful interests in Washington and in GOP politics by pushing campaign finance reform. He stood up to his party's president in time of war in order to prohibit the use of torture by American forces. On the eve of his presidential campaign, he teamed up with Sen. Ted Kennedy on comprehensive immigration reform legislation, knowing he would be branded a supporter of amnesty.
In the pursuit of the nomination that eluded him eight years ago, McCain has become less of a maverick and less of a straight shooter. But he has a record of working effectively across the aisle and his knowledge and experience, especially on national security issues, far exceeds that of his rivals. He deserves to represent his party in the general election.
Read The Entire Daily News Tribune Editorial: "Primary Endorsements"