The Political Chase

The Des Moines Register’s endorsements

I gained more insight into the Des Moines Register’s Editorial Board by reading their rating the “other candidates” than I did by reading their actual endorsements. Clinton’s endorsement was structured properly - this is what the country needs and this is why Hillary can do it. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what they said, at least they filled the form out properly. On McCain, they did not define the need and then map McCain to it. Instead, they wrote a resume for McCain.

On the Democratic side, the board stated the need, albeit extremely weak and ambiguous.

The choice, then, comes down to preparedness: Who is best prepared to confront the enormous challenges the nation faces — from ending the Iraq war to shoring up America’s middle class to confronting global climate change?

The job requires a president who not only understands the changes needed to move the country forward but also possesses the discipline and skill to navigate the reality of the resistant Washington power structure to get things done.

And this is their conclusion:

The times demand results. We believe as president she’ll do what she’s always done in her life: Throw herself into the job and work hard. We believe Hillary Rodham Clinton can do great things for our country.

Although they largely praised McCain, they slapped him around a bit in their conclusion, which I found be a bit odd and very contradictory — McCain stands for a plethora of things we nor the people want or need, but at least he tells the truth. Well, Integrity is extremely important, but it would might would be wise to pick a candidate that is in synch with the people and their needs.

McCain has his flaws, too, of course. He can be hot-tempered, a trait that’s not helpful in conducting diplomacy. At 71, his age is a concern. The editorial board disagrees with him on a host of issues, especially his opposition to abortion rights and gay marriage. McCain foresees a “long, hard and difficult” deployment of troops in Iraq. The Register’s board has called for withdrawal as soon as it’s safely possible.

But with McCain, Americans would know what they’re getting. He doesn’t parse words. And on tough calls, he usually lands on the side of goodness — of compassion for illegal immigrants, of concern for the environment for future generations.

I was amazed at some of the statements the board made about other candidates in contrast to their final decisions. Many things they said were right, some were so, so, but I was pleased and motly humored with their grasp of the obvious on Rudy Giuliani:

But we’re most troubled by his over-heated, fear-based approach to foreign policy. He frames today’s world as us versus them, summed up by this pledge from his Web site: “I will keep America on offense in the terrorists’ war on us.”

It all needs to be put in perspective. The Register’s endorsements are neither cause for concern or celebration. Steve Benen sums it up quite well.

The Register’s backing is certainly welcome at the Clinton campaign, thought it’s probably worth noting that the paper’s endorsement has not always translated to caucus victory — the Register also backed Edwards in ‘04, Bradley in ‘00, and Simon in ‘88.