The Nails Are Being Driven Home In McCain's Coffin

At the risk of dampening voter enthusiasm, it looks like the fat lady has begun to sing in this political drama.

First came reports that the New York Times, in this Sunday's edition, would endorse Barack Obama. OK-- no surprise there.

Then the Washington Post today came out with its endorsement of Barack Obama-- which wasn't a certainty, given Wapo's hawkishness on homeland security issues and softball coverage of the McCain campaign. One paragraph from that editorial:

The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama's relatively brief experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.

Then reports started coming out that Colin Powell would endorse Obama on Sunday's Meet the Press show.

But the real surprise was when the Chicago Tribune-- for the first time in its 161-year history-- endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate:

This endorsement makes some history for the Chicago Tribune. This is the first time the newspaper has endorsed the Democratic Party's nominee for president....

The Republican Party, the party of limited government, has lost its way. The government ran a $237 billion surplus in 2000, the year before Bush took office -- and recorded a $455 billion deficit in 2008. The Republicans lost control of the U.S. House and Senate in 2006 because, as we said at the time, they gave the nation rampant spending and Capitol Hill corruption. They abandoned their principles. They paid the price.

It is hard to figure John McCain these days. He argued that President Bush's tax cuts were fiscally irresponsible, but he now supports them. He promises a balanced budget by the end of his first term, but his tax cut plan would add an estimated $4.2 trillion in debt over 10 years. He has responded to the economic crisis with an angry, populist message and a misguided, $300 billion proposal to buy up bad mortgages.

McCain failed in his most important executive decision . . .Having called Obama not ready to lead, McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. His campaign has tried to stage-manage Palin's exposure to the public. But it's clear she is not prepared to step in at a moment's notice and serve as president. McCain put his campaign before his country . . .

Next in line was the Los Angeles Times, which came out for Obama as well. They haven't bothered to endorse a presidential candidate since 1972-- and during the paper's entire 126-year existence it has never endorsed a Democrat for president. Here's a portion of what they had to say about McCain:

The presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking -- if that's the appropriate word -- would drive the White House in a McCain presidency. Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain's judgment.