Biggest Alaska Paper Endorses Obama

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: Endorsements

Despite the presence of the first Alaskan on a major national party ticket, Alaska's largest newspaper endorsed Barack Obama today.

The Anchorage Daily News editorial board acknowledges that Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate was a momentous event for the state and writes that "Many Alaskans are proud to see their governor, and their state, so prominent on the national stage."

But the editorial continues:

Gov. Palin's nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency -- but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation.

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain.

After enumerating other reasons the paper's board backs Obama over McCain, the editorial returns to the subject of the state's governor with a particularly biting critique, saying she is not ready for the presidency and calling her "too risky" as a vice president:

Gov. Palin has shown the country why she has been so successful in her young political career. Passionate, charismatic and indefatigable, she draws huge crowds and sows excitement in her wake. She has made it clear she's a force to be reckoned with, and you can be sure politicians and political professionals across the country have taken note. Her future, in Alaska and on the national stage, seems certain to be played out in the limelight.

Yet despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth. To step in and juggle the demands of an economic meltdown, two deadly wars and a deteriorating climate crisis would stretch the governor beyond her range. Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time.

Read the full endorsement here.>

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
Follow on Twitter »

13 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 13 Comments


by msimamaji October 27, 2008 2:05 PM EDT: As a retired journalism teacher who spent a life time teaching in an inner city school in Los Angeles, I''m giving the Anchorage Daily News my gut journalism award - The Anchorage Daily News is doing what I always encouraged my students to do - publish the truth - regardless of the effect on their popularity. The Anchorage Daily News is following that tradition. Thanks you, Anchorage Daily News. You deserve a Pulitzer for Courage.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 October 27, 2008 1:18 PM EDT: To think if John McCain hadn%u2019t have attempted to coerce the Right Wing (and, the rest of us) with a his Vice Presidential Running Mate, Sahara Palin would%u2019ve probably been at the helm of Alaaaaskan Politics for years without anyone ever really knowing what she is and what she stands for. Now exposed for a Right Wing Republican Playground and chocked full of corruption dominated by big oil The State of Alaaaaskah will need to do some of their own house cleaning starting with their Governor.; Reply to this comment


by tnorwood4 October 27, 2008 10:37 AM EDT: Every one makes being liberal sould like your acommie.
The following is the definition liberal:
Liberalism is a broad class of political philosophies that consider individual liberty to be the most important political goal.[1]

Liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. Within liberalism there are various streams of thought which compete over the use of the term "liberal" and may propose very different policies, but they are generally united by their support for a number of principles, including freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, an individual''s right to private property,[2] free markets,[2] and a transparent system of government.
That sounds like a perty good American to me!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by rahepee October 27, 2008 2:54 AM EDT: I dare not hope that both Arizona and Alaska will go blue, so I''ll have to settle for this. Thanks, editorial board. It made my day.; Reply to this comment


by ttmo2 October 27, 2008 12:24 AM EDT: Some Palin supporters keep saying she is most popular governor in US. That''s old news. She dropped from 80% to under 60% in a poll taken quite some time ago. Her populatity has dropped further since then. Alaska is a very red state. Even a 60% rating is below ave for a Republican governor. Her re-election is in danger. Many Alaskans are totally embarrased by her campaign (me included). TrooperGate revealed she broke ethics laws. Todd Palin occupied her office about half of the time. Her 150k wardrobe and divisiveness will not sit well w/Alaskans. Please do not think that all Alaskans are like this ignorant, intolerant fool.; Reply to this comment


by equalityrpt October 27, 2008 12:04 AM EDT: Hey Kevin,
You failed to report 2 major facts in this biased article.

1. The Anchorage Daily News is owned by McClatchey..a California company not Alaskan (it also endorsed Kerry in 2004)

2. Govenor Sarah Palin has an 80% approval rating in Alaska..which makes her known as the most popular govenor in the US

One Alaskan said the Anchorage Daily News is so liberal and does not represent the Alaskan people''s opinion...and her favorite use for this newspaper is to wrap fish in....

Time for fair, balanced reporting in the mainstream media...it has been scarce indeed; Reply to this comment


by pomette-2009 October 26, 2008 10:21 PM EDT: This is one of the most sensible article I have read. Very meaningful and significant too. The authors know Gov. Palin better than anyone else. Worth reading. Palin seemed interesting to me at first, but she now seem to me so narcissistic that she is unfit and unable to be responsible for a nation. She lets her daughters take care of her own infant sons!; Reply to this comment


by pomette-2009 October 26, 2008 10:20 PM EDT: This is one of the most sensible article I have read. Very meaningful and significant too. The authors know Gov. Palin better than anyone else. Worth reading. Palin seemed interesting to me at first, but she now seem to me so narcissistic that she is unfit and unable to be responsible for a nation. She lets her daughters take care of her own infant sons!; Reply to this comment


by newslink October 26, 2008 9:36 PM EDT: This is no surprise.Just another Newspaper getting in line. This speaks volumes.; Reply to this comment


by skeetchamp October 26, 2008 8:22 PM EDT: This is a classic example of what happens when good Republicans put their country first and not their party.; Reply to this comment