The Hutchinson News picks... Obama

I grew up in Burrton, Kansas (pop. 800), and the closest town of any size was Hutchinson. I delivered the Hutchinson News each morning for five years.

I'm proud to say that the News has endorsed Obama:

McCain used to be independent-minded, but in his ambition to be elected president he has fallen into the morass of dirty, polarizing politics. It doesn't suit him well.

While the race should be about the candidates at the top of the ticket, these candidates' choices of running mates illustrate the brilliance of Obama and the desperation of McCain. Instead of choosing a solid, experienced No. 2 as Obama did in Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, McCain choose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin because he thought it would win him votes from social conservatives and women.

The country is sick right now, and Obama is not only the inspirational leader we need but he has the right prescription. He would keep the focus of economic recovery on working Americans. He would bring troops home so we can plow our resources into our domestic problems. And he would solve our energy crisis not just by drilling the last pockets of fossil fuels but developing new energy technologies based on renewable resources.

If only McCain had been elected in 2000, we might be a different - better - nation today. But that opportunity has come and gone. America needs a new direction, and McCain has lost his way.

We need a new kind of leader, a generational transformer, an inspirational visionary. That man is Barack Obama.

(Video link)