LA Times Picks: Obama, McCain

The Los Angeles Times today endorsed Barack Obama and, with some qualifications, John McCain, in party nominations. While either Democratic hopeful “would make a strong nominee,” it wasn’t hard to pick the one “most focused on steering the nation toward constructive change,” it writes. “No political experience,” it adds, could “surpass Obama's life story in preparing a president to understand the American character.”

Though the editorial board “rejects” McCain’s views on such topics as Iraq and abortion, its endorsement is “sure and heartfelt.” The board applauds the Republican's “principled and persistent” anti-torture stance, immigration views and environmental record, calling his outlook “genuine” and “clear-eyed.” Despite opposition on some issues, the board writes, it can “stand with him on those that matter most right now.” (More John McCain stories.)