Not that we're shocked but Wilmington News Journal (DE) endorses Obama/Biden

[LynneSin]

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081022/OPINION11/810220312/1112

Obama and Biden have steadiness to lead through current perils

Americans were worried when the Iowa presidential caucuses were held in January. Now those worries look tame. Back then voters were merely looking for a candidate who could effectively deal with global warming, rising oil prices, high health care costs and a controversial war in Iraq.

Today they want someone to save the economic system from collapse, rescue their retirement savings and help them hang on to their jobs.

None of the candidates expected such a radical change in fortune, least of all the two who won their parties' nominations. But in less than two weeks, Americans will pick one of them to lead the country through one of the most baffling and perilous economic collapses in our history.

Democrat Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain are good men. Both of them are honorable and dedicated public servants. Americans will have to select one of them to lead us through this dangerous new territory.

Our choice for that task is Barack Obama.

He has the intelligence, diligence and political skills to meet these unprecedented challenges.

In addition, his selection of Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate bolsters his standing. Delawareans know Sen. Biden well. They know of his vast experience in foreign affairs and his willingness to buck party pressures and think through issues on his own.

John McCain has not shown the diligence that the job of president calls for. For all of his experience in Washington, Sen. McCain does not offer reassurances that he knows how to effectively use the powers that the Constitution grants the president.

His choice of Gov. Sarah Palin seems more of a political choice made in haste than a deliberate decision in government. Gov. Palin does bring passion to the Republican ticket. But once the campaign is over, partisan passion can stand in the way of governance.

Both Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin have made much of their status as mavericks. In a more stable, confident time, that attribute might be appealing. But in the midst of uncertainty and turmoil, having a wild card in the White House could be dangerous.

Being a maverick does not automatically translate into leadership.