Houston Chronicle Endorses Barack Obama!

[thevoiceofreason]

It is the first time since 1964 (LBJ) that the Chronicle has endorsed a democratic candidate for president.

The times they are a-changin'

I might restart my subscription.

[Pisces]

1. That is awesome!!

[FrenchieCat]

2. Do you have a link to the endorsement?

[thevoiceofreason]

4. Their website is not very friendly.

I picked up a hard copy from a street vendor on my way home from work today.

I'll keep looking.

[LisaL]

11. Yea it did.

The endorsement says that perhaps the worst mistake McCain made is to pick inexperienced and inflammatory Palin as VP.

[mucifer]

12. here it is:

I googled Houston Chronicle Barack Obama endorsement and it took me there. It was hard to find it on the website.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5546874.html

[Uzybone]

14. Thats for the primary

not the general election.

[mucifer]

20. wow you are right google steered me wrong.

well actually I was lazy and didn't notice the date.

[TTUBatfan2008]

16. That was from during the primary...

In other words, not the correct article.

[LisaL]

19. They endorsed Obama in a general election in this Sunday's

issue.

[TTUBatfan2008]

23. I know that...

the link provided is NOT that endorsement. It's an endorsement from February during the primary. I don't think they have posted their general election endorsement of him on their website yet.

[blogslut]

25. Probably won't be online until tomorrow

I imagine the Chron puts out a hard-copy Sunday issue early. I know the DMN used to do that. When I lived in big D, I always used to read the Sunday paper on Saturday night.

[Faygo Kid]

3. Yes, link?

[steve2470]

5. self delete nt

[blogslut]

6. Yes!

Booyah! and Yeehaw! In your face, Dallas Morning News!

[bluestateguy]

7. Any news on the AA Statesman?

[thevoiceofreason]

28. Not yet, but I bet burntorangereport.com is all over that

[No Elephants]

8. You mean you paused long enough to start a thread BEFORE you re-started your subscription?

[thevoiceofreason]

13. Good point

Subscription started once again.

Still can't link to the endorsement on their website - www.houstonchronicle.com

[mucifer]

15. oops

[texasleo]

22. Feb. 16, 2008

[tblue]

9. Now that's a beautiful thing.

[Arugula Latte]

10. I like picturing all those rightwing oilmen in Houston choking on their breakfast reading that.

:evilgrin:

[steve2470]

17. nothing yet

http://www.chron.com/news/opinion/

[dtotire]

29. The Chronicle endorses the senator from Illinois for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Chronicle endorses the senator from Illinois for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Feb. 16, 2008, 2:09AMShare Print Email Del.icio.usDiggTechnoratiYahoo! BuzzThe presidency of the United States is a powerful bully pulpit. The occupant of the White House must not only issue orders, but also inspire and advocate for all Americans.

Of the two finalists for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Chronicle believes Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is best-qualified by life experience, skill and temperament to be the standard bearer for his party. In a conference call, Obama told the Chronicle editorial board that "more than any other candidate, I can bridge some of the partisan as well as racial and religious divides that have developed in this country that prevent us from getting things done."

Those who have viewed the numerous campaign debates know there's not much to separate Obama from his opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. Either could ably represent the Democratic Party. Both candidates favor ending the war in Iraq by withdrawing combat troops and initiating regional negotiations to stabilize the country. Both would press for dramatic strides toward providing all Americans with health insurance.

Both support a cap and trade system to begin reducing America's carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Each promises to initiate multibillion-dollar efforts to promote conversion of the economy to clean energy technologies. They favor securing our borders, initiating comprehensive immigration reform and creating a path to earned legal status for those already here who are working and contributing to their communities.

However, there is a decisive difference. Obama vows to reach out to independents and Republicans with a message of inclusion and cooperation. He offers a historic opportunity to elevate national political dialogue to a higher ground. Those who insist on vitriol and obstructionism would be marginalized.

On several issues vital to Houstonians, Obama's positions need elaboration. He recognizes the need to maintain U.S. pre-eminence in space but said he wanted to study the costs and benefits of human space exploration — an exercise that should convince him of the space program's long history of indispensable contributions.

Obama said he did not expect the leaders of the energy sector to vote for him. He needs to realize that the energy sector must be a large part of a cooperative effort to develop alternative fuels and avoid an energy crunch.

The 46-year-old Obama has expanded his base of support, winning new legions of supporters. The more people see and hear him, the more they like him. As the Hawaiian-born son of a Muslim Kenyan father and an Anglo Midwesterner, the devoutly Christian Obama transcends race and religion. His life has been one of involvement with disadvantaged Chicago residents, excellence at Harvard Law School and eight years as an Illinois state senator. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, only the third African-American to serve there since Reconstruction.

Obama is both the epitome of the American Dream and well-positioned to reach out to an international community alienated by recent U.S. go-it-alone policies.

The passion and excitement that Obama has brought to the race can only stimulate more citizens to participate in the electoral process. The Chronicle urges Texas Democrats to cast what could be decisive ballots for his presidential nomination.

[steve2470]

30. Feb. 16, 2008 nt

[dtotire]

31. That must be the wrong date

I just now copied it

[dtotire]

32. That must be the wrong date

I just now copied it

[Uzybone]

18. I'll look for the print copy to confirm

because so far I see no evidence of this online.

[LisaL]

24. It's on page E2.

[Uzybone]

27. Thanks

I'm gonna go get a copy now.

[LisaL]

33. It's funny.

They endorsed Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush papa, Dole, and Bush son.
And now Obama.
Seems like choice of Palin really didn't go well with them.

[malik flavors]

34. I hate how the chronicle hides their endorsements in the back pages.

It should be front page news.

[trof]

21. So...when did Houston get smarter than Dallas?

[thevoiceofreason]

26. It has been interesting this year

I swear they have endorsed as many democratic candidates as rethuggies. Amazing!

[maddezmom]

35. We're subscribers, but usually only my husband reads it

Thanks for the heads up, since husband is out of town it would have gone straight to the recycle pile. I'll be up early tomorrow to see it in black and white. :D

[DangerousRhythm]

36. WOW, thanks for this!

I hadn't a clue but this is awesome news.

[electionwatcher]

37. Obama's really stacking up the newspaper endorsements!

[darius15]

38. Houston is probably the only large city that votes Republican. Good to see that the paper isn't

[PDittie]

39. Actually it doesn't

Houston's mayor, comptroller, and a majority of city councilpersons are Democratic. One of those city councilmen, a Democrat named Peter Brown, and the city comptroller, Annise Parker -- who is also an out lesbian -- will vie for mayor in next year's municipal elections.

Now Harris County may be what you're thinking of. Because it picks up all of the red ass suburbs and exurbs, it's 100% Republican at the executive level, and so are all of the judges. But we're working hard to flip that around. Here's an article from the Texas Observer about that:

http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2869

[Uzybone]

40. Here the link!!!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6065490.html

"Back in the spring, Obama's sentiments seemed more a hope than reality. Since then, we have watched him grow in the roles of candidate and leader, maintaining grace under fire without resorting to political expediency. He is by far the best choice to deliver the changes that Americans demand."