N.H. newspaper chain backs McCain, Clinton

Salmon Press, which publishes 11 newspapers in the Lakes Region and North
Country of New Hampshire, has endorsed John McCain in the Republican
primary and Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side.

In terms of circulation the Salmon Press newspapers reach more people than the Union Leader.

The endorsement today says that McCain "has the right stuff to become a
statesman, indeed to become among our greatest presidents, but standing in
his way is the prickly business of having to get elected."

"Once considered the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, his
presidential campaign stumbled in the early going -- in part because he
refused to bend his principles -- but is now gaining some momentum," the
endorsement editorial continues. "We hope that momentum continues, for in
our judgment John McCain towers over his political rivals and is our
unwavering choice in New Hampshire's Republican presidential primary next
month."

McCain also has the support of the state's largest, most influential
newspaper, The New Hampshire Union Leader, and is using that endorsement in
a TV ad.

In a memo sent to reporters today, McCain's New Hampshire director cites
recent polls to argue that McCain is catching up to Mitt Romney in New
Hampshire and that McCain is the Republican most likely to win the general
election next year.

"As the primary race enters the final stretch, I want to remind New
Hampshire voters about the stakes of this election," writes Jim Barnett.
"Will we nominate a candidate who can win the general election, giving us
the opportunity to restore trust, cut taxes, control spending, and protect
our homeland? Or will we take a short-sighted view and nominate a candidate
certain to lose the White House, thereby allowing Hillary Clinton or Barack
Obama to raise our taxes, abandon the progress we are making in the Middle
East, and ignore the difficult problems that face our nation?"

In Wednesday's endorsement of Clinton, Salmon Press says, "Those that don't
think experience counts in politics haven't been listening to Sen. Hillary
Clinton. The combination of her proven track record and positive vision for
America make her our choice in the Democratic primary."

Two new polls released on Wednesday showed that she is in a dead heat with
Barack Obama, less than a month before the Jan. 8 primary, after she had a
double-digit lead just a month ago.

-- Written by Foon Rhee