While some people might consider it a no-brainer that a Chicago paper would endorse their hometown boy for president, the fact is that as one of the most conservative major newspapers in the country, the Chicago Tribune has never before endorsed a Democratic Candidate. Their endorsement of Barack Obama is therefore a major event and a strong indication of his ability to unite diverse groups in this divided country.

I found one quote particularly useful in response to any of those who continue to worry about whether or not Obama is experienced enough to be president. The Tribune editors replied to this concern with the following:

Many Americans say they're uneasy about Obama. He's pretty new to them.

We can provide some assurance. We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready.

Here is a conservative paper that probably knows Obama better than any other journalistic organization in the country saying that he has what it takes. That's a big deal, and I hope people listen.

I also like what they went on to say about why they were endorsing him:

The change that Obama talks about so much is not simply a change in this policy or that one. It is not fundamentally about lobbyists or Washington insiders. Obama envisions a change in the way we deal with one another in politics and government. His opponents may say this is empty, abstract rhetoric. In fact, it is hard to imagine how we are going to deal with the grave domestic and foreign crises we face without an end to the savagery and a return to civility in politics.

Very true. Of course Obama won't be able to single-handedly return civility to our public discourse, but after all the slime and negativity I've heard from the Republicans these past few weeks, I'm pretty confident that he'll do a heck of a lot better at it than the other guy.

Labels: politics