The Farmington Daily Times’ editorial board likes John McCain, but couldn’t stomach the idea of Sarah Palin in the Oval Office.
The result was an editorial endorsement that surprised a number of readers and commenters to The Daily Times’ Web site, who had pegged the paper as staunchly conservative.
In its Sunday editorial entitled “We like John McCain, but who is Sarah Palin?” the Daily Times board wrote:
This year, all of our previous endorsements have supported the Republican ticket.
We, however, must break ranks and endorse Barack Obama for president.
The editorial gave some insight into the decision:
The Daily Times editorial board debated during several meetings on who (sic) it would endorse in this election, and it was a split decision. Nevertheless, The Daily Times endorses Barack Obama for the presidency.
It came down to one primary factor.
We admire and appreciate McCain for his moral values, his experience and most certainly his dedication to our country as evident by his years of military and government service.
We are much intrigued with Obama because of the fresh ideas, the change he offers, his economic ideas and his new approach to the world political stage.
The tip of the scale for us came with McCain’s choice of a vice presidential candidate. Few of us are convinced that Sarah Palin is ready to be the president of the United States, and as with any vice president, she would be only one heartbeat away if McCain is elected. Further, we question McCain’s judgment in making such a choice.
Colin Powell also influenced the decision:
It was far from unnoticed when former Secretary of State Colin Powell said much the same when he endorsed Obama a week ago. Powell served President Bush and was the national security adviser for President Reagan, both Republicans.
New Mexico dailies are now 3-1 for Obama, with the Santa Fe New Mexican and Las Cruces Sun-News joining the Daily Times in endorsing Obama and the Roswell Daily Record recommending McCain.






