The Republican Chicago Tribune, which has NEVER endorsed a Democrat for president, is endorsing Barack Obama. Old Col. McCormick is probably doing cartwheels in his grave.
This isn't just a hometown endorsement. This is a deeply Republican editorial board. Indeed, many thought that no matter what, they would go with McCain (whom they endorsed in the Republican primary).
The reasoning comes from a paper that has followed Obama in his 12 years of elective office.
Here's some of what they have to say:
"We do, though, think Obama would govern as much more of a pragmatic centrist than many people expect.
"We know first-hand that Obama seeks out and listens carefully and respectfully to people who disagree with him. He builds consensus. He was most effective in the Illinois legislature when he worked with Republicans on welfare, ethics and criminal justice reform.
"He worked to expand the number of charter schools in Illinois--not popular with some Democratic constituencies.
"He took up ethics reform in the U.S. Senate--not popular with Washington politicians.
"His economic policy team is peppered with advisers who support free trade. He has been called a 'University of Chicago Democrat'--a reference to the famed free-market Chicago school of economics, which puts faith in markets.
"Obama is deeply grounded in the best aspirations of this country, and we need to return to those aspirations. He has had the character and the will to achieve great things despite the obstacles that he faced as an unprivileged black man in the U.S.
"He has risen with his honor, grace and civility intact. He has the intelligence to understand the grave economic and national security risks that face us, to listen to good advice and make careful decisions."
"When Obama said at the 2004 Democratic Convention that we weren't a nation of red states and blue states, he spoke of union the way Abraham Lincoln did.
"It may have seemed audacious for Obama to start his campaign in Springfield, invoking Lincoln. We think, given the opportunity to hold this nation's most powerful office, he will prove it wasn't so audacious after all. We are proud to add Barack Obama's name to Lincoln's in the list of people the Tribune has endorsed for president of the United States."
Here's the link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/...