Sun Sentinel Endorses Obama

It really should not come as a surprise. The Sun Sentinel endorsed Obama for President. They dedicated almost the entire Outlook section of Sunday's paper to the presidential race and the reasons they support Obama. It was also scattered to other sections including Sports. You almost you not escape it.

In the Outlook section, they provided a one page overview of how they rated the candidates on key topics. They gave more advantages to Obama over McCain to help back up their decision:

• Wall Street Financial Crisis - They gave the advantage to Obama even though he has two of the former CEOs of Fannie Mae (one of the largers contributors to our current economic problems) on his economic counsel. Obama offers entitlements and tax relief as the solution to the mortgage crisis. McCain did not offer much more but did point out the sub-prime mortgage problem before it melted.
• War in Iraq - They support Obama because he opposed the war and calls for a timeline on withdraw. A timeline makes no sense. Do we tell thieves when the police will not be on patrol in a neighborhood?
• Immigration - They admit that McCain had a better plan but could not get it through Congress. So they supported Obama because he voted for a bill that passed... I do not agree with either candidate on this issue. I do not support the free ride both are offering to illegal immigrants.
• Cuba - Obama might have the advantage, but it is also the same approach with Iran and Korea. Opening relations and easing restrictions do not always make bad people behave better.
• Leadership - I am not sure how Obama got this one either. They say he inspires and upset the Clinton political juggernaut in the primary. But with a war-chest of $600M in campaign contributions he should have. Obama has never held an executive position and has never succeeded in getting a major piece of legislation through. Maybe they are counting his volunteer work with ACORN...
• Abortion - They support Obama with his anti-life stance. As Christian, this is something that appalls me.
• 2nd Amendment - They support Obama for wanted to ban guns (and taxing ammunition). They painted McCain as someone who will allow almost anything. We do need better background checks and stiffer penalties for committing crimes with guns. Not restoring felons voting rights and making sentencing less stringent. The bad guys do not want the average person to have a gun - it puts them in danger.

They gave no advantage to either candidate on Education, Health Care, Taxes, Israel, and Energy. I agree with that on all but Taxes and Energy. Obama has changed his stance more recently on oil drilling to be more politically acceptable. McCain changed his stance but it was early in the primaries as oil prices started to raise. He also supported more alternate forms from nuclear to wind just without government entitlements for it. Taxes are vastly difference. Obama's plan is almost anti-business and will suffocate an economy that needs to rebound. McCain supports tax relief for everyone to help stimulate the economy.

They did give McCain advantages on Campaign Finance, Labor, Environment, and Social Security. (Surprising the Republican has the better environmental plan...) However the Sentinel failed to cover topics such as Foreign Affairs (beyond Cuba and Israel), Crime Control, Military Veterans' Benefits and Entitlements which are also important. They are also items where McCain has an advantage.

Granted, I am a conservative. I will not deny that. But I am not so blind that I cannot judge two candidates fairly. I have even voted for Democrats in the past. I am not an ardent McCain supporter, but he is the better choice for our nation in a time of need.

The Sentinel did point out Obama's questionable connections with Rev. Wright (but failed to mention Bill Ayers, Jimmie Johnson, or Franklin Raines). They also pointed out that Obama's tax plan and entitlements probably will not work with the state of our economy. They also pointed out doubts because of his inexperience but still support him in the end. They said Obama made a safe choice VP in Biden (despite all of his gaffs).

They said that McCain chose shrill over statesmanship - I guess they never saw the attack ads on McCain or Palin. They liked McCain but felt he gave into the right. More proof that they are left leaning in their thinking.

I saw this coming in the primary season. The Sentinel's coverage leaned towards Obama based on the coverage they provided. They showed more articles and pictures of him than his opponents. In comparison, I was in North Florida during the same time and saw the Jacksonville Times-Union provide more coverage to Hillary Clinton. She was their candidate they were pushing in the primary.

I am not sure if the editors of the Sentinel are really providing a fair and balanced view of the candidates. Maybe they drank the Kool-Aide at the convention in Denver...