'Des Moines Register' Backs Clinton and McCain

By: E&P Staff The suspense had grown with each passing day. Candidates lobbied hard. Other media covered the newspaper's quandary, and influence, most recently The New York Times in a major piece today -- which wondered if the fact that the three top slots at the paper were held by women would have any impact.

Perhaps it did. For the Des Moines Register, in editorials for its Sunday edition, endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain in the upcoming caucuses in Iowa. This could prove to be a lifesaver for Clinton, who has had a miserable week, and McCain, who has been a longshot in the race.

The Boston Globe, meanwhile, backed Sen. Barack Obama and McCain, which may help them in neighboring New Hampshire in its primary.

Writing in The Washington Post tonight, Chris Cillizza noted, "In the hours leading up to the announcement, which came at 9 p.m. Eastern time when the Register published its endorsement on its Web site, rumors flew about which direction the seven board members were leaning. Campaign operatives traded calls, e-mails and instant messages with reporters, seeking information. So highly anticipated was the news that the paper offered it via text message for those who lacked Internet access."

An excerpt from the Des Moines paper's summary of its decision follows. The entire editorials are at desmoinesregister.com.
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"With dissension at home and distrust abroad, as American troops continue to fight wars on two fronts, the times call for two essential qualities in the next American president,? the Register?s editorial board concluded. ?Those qualities became the paramount considerations in making endorsements for the Democratic and Republican nominees in the 2008 Iowa caucuses.

?The times call for competence. Americans want their government to work again. The times call for readiness to lead. Americans want their country to do great things again. They?ll regain trust in their government when they see a president make that happen.?

In endorsing McCain, who was tied for fifth in the Register?s November Iowa Poll of likely caucus-goers, the newspaper?s editorial board wrote:

?Time after time, McCain has stuck to his beliefs in the face of opposition from other elected leaders and the public. He has criticized crop and ethanol subsidies during two presidential campaigns in Iowa. He bucked his party and president by opposing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. A year ago, in the face of growing criticism, he staunchly supported President Bush?s decision to increase troop strength in Iraq.

?McCain would enter the White House with deep knowledge of national-security and foreign-policy issues. He knows war, something we believe would make him reluctant to start one. He?s also a fierce defender of civil liberties. As a survivor of torture, he has stood resolutely against it. He pledges to start rebuilding America?s image abroad. ?

?The force of John McCain?s moral authority could go a long way toward restoring Americans? trust in government and inspiring new generations to believe in the goodness and greatness of America.?

The Register?s endorsement of Clinton comes at a time when polls show she has slipped behind Sen. Barack Obama in Iowa.

?Readiness to lead sets her apart from a constellation of possible stars in her party, particularly Barack Obama, who also demonstrates the potential to be a fine president,? the newspaper?s endorsement editorial concludes. ?When Obama speaks before a crowd, he can be more inspirational than Clinton. Yet, with his relative inexperience, it?s hard to feel as confident he could accomplish the daunting agenda that lies ahead.?

Register editorial page editor Carol Hunter said the six editorial board members who participated in the endorsement process disregarded the candidates? standing in Iowa or national polls.

?We believe our job as an editorial board is to arrive at the candidate in each party we think would be the best president, whether a person is leading the polls or garnering 1 percent support,? Hunter wrote in a column that accompanied the editorials. ?It?s not to predict a winner.?

In 2004, the newspaper?s endorsement of John Edwards coincided with his dramatic surge in the state. Edwards, then a North Carolina senator, moved from single digits in an Iowa poll taken in November 2003 to a second-place finish in the state?s 2004 January caucuses.

This year?s endorsements come less than three weeks before the caucuses, set for Jan. 3. The caucuses, held five days before the New Hampshire primaries, start the nation?s 2008 presidential election process.
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