McCain picks up Mass., N.H. support

Though Massachusetts is among the bluest of blue states, a second Bay State newspaper is urging voters to pick Republican John McCain.

The Lowell Sun today emphasized McCain's record of reaching across the partisan divide on major issues such as campaign finance reform and immigration reform.

"His commitment to put America first has, at times, made him unpopular and caused him to search his political conscience," the endorsement editorial said. "Yet in the end, he has never retreated from the core values that have set him apart from the rest. It has won him grudging respect from his most hardened foes and the admiration of millions of Americans who value honesty, character and personal sacrifice. He is America's true-blue, principled maverick.

"In this era of intense party feelings and clashing interests, John McCain is the most qualified leader to reconcile our differences and get America working together again.

"Ironically, the best argument for a President McCain was made by Sen. Hillary Clinton in her Democratic primary-campaign TV ad. It asked, 'When the phone rings at 3 a.m. in the White House, who do you want to answer it?' We want President McCain picking up that phone," the endorsement said.

Speaking of Clinton, the McCain campaign announced that a former prominent supporter in New Hampshire of Obama's primary rival is backing the Arizona senator.

"John McCain is the only candidate who is ready to deliver the reform Washington needs. He has a long record of working across party lines to put government back on the side of the people," state Representative Brenda Ferland of Charlestown, a lifelong Democrat who became an independent, said in a statement. "Because Barack Obama cannot point to a single significant bipartisan achievement, it's not clear he's able to work effectively across the aisle. At a time when America needs strong leadership and sound judgment, I'm backing John McCain."

Two other state legislators who had supported Clinton, Representatives Hector Velez of Manchester and Doreen Howard of Newmarket, announced their support of McCain last month.
McCain is counting on crossover support to win New Hampshire, among a dozen or more swing states that could determine the winner in November.