New York Times endorses Obama

The New York Times added its voice in endorsing Democrat Barack Obama for president.

"Hyperbole is the currency of presidential campaigns, but this year the nation’s future truly hangs in the balance," begins the editorial, which was published today and posted online Thursday night.

"The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.

"As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States. Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems.

The Times is scathing about Republican John McCain.

"In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the accomplishments of 26 years in Congress."

UPDATE: Somewhat belatedly, the McCain campaign this afternoon issued a rather sarcastic response to the Times endorsement.

"Just after the New York Times ended months of intense speculation by announcing its endorsement of Barack Obama, the company's corporate credit rating was lowered to 'junk' status -- an appropriate reflection of the paper's editorial judgment as well as the quality of its reporting," Michael Goldfarb, a McCain spokesman, said in a statement.

The Times joins The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and other major newspapers, in backing Obama. As of today, 127 newspapers, including the Globe, had endorsed Obama, and 49 had endorsed McCain, according to Editor & Publisher's count.