[TCDPCO] Obama wins Dallas and Houston newspaper endorsements

[alanmcorwin at juno.com]

Dallas Morning NewsEditorial: We recommend Barack Obama
11:08 AM CST on Sunday, March 2, 2008Texas Democrats have a chance to make history as they choose between two qualified presidential candidates. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton often seem to be singing from the same hymnbook, but that doesn't mean this race is a close call. 
On questions of substance and leadership style, Mr. Obama is the better choice. 
In sharp contrast to Mrs. Clinton's antics mocking his optimism, Mr. Obama has shown that it is possible to have both hope and intellectual heft. Her campaign has confused proximity to power with work experience, selectively taking credit for her husband's accomplishments. 
Also Online Voter Guide: Comparing Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama 
At times, Obama-mania has threatened to obscure the substantive differences between the two candidates' proposed policies. A close examination shows that Mr. Obama is on the right side of several key issues. 
Both senators aim to overhaul our health care system by lowering premiums and expanding subsidies. Mrs. Clinton's more mandate-centered approach could be a tougher sell, while Mr. Obama allows for more individual choice and avoids the appearance of insurance by coercion. 
Both Democrats offer a significant upgrade from the current administration on environmental and energy issues. Both plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase our reliance on renewable resources. But Mr. Obama has rightly acknowledged the need to include nuclear energy in the mix; Mrs. Clinton has hedged. 
Mr. Obama has echoed many of this newspaper's reservations about America's flawed death penalty system. And while he still allows for capital punishment in particularly heinous cases, he championed much-needed reforms in his home state. Mrs. Clinton, at times, has been an avowed death-penalty supporter; recently, she has chosen instead to highlight her push for more DNA testing. 
Mrs. Clinton once touted NAFTA as one of her husband's biggest successes but now is threatening to withdraw from the free-trade accord. Mr. Obama is making similar threats but at least seeks ways to deliver on NAFTA's promise: microfinancing and financial aid to create jobs and increase incentives for Mexicans to stay at home. 
On Iraq, Mrs. Clinton seeks an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops that, she says, could be completed over a single year. Her plan offers minimal military recourse in the likely event of chaos and civil war following America's withdrawal. 
Mr. Obama has a slightly more gradual, flexible drawdown plan with the possibility of keeping a sizeable force in Iraq or nearby to pursue al-Qaeda fighters, train Iraqi forces and deploy quickly when crises erupt. 
Mrs. Clinton's plan also is problematic because it hinges on holding talks with our enemies. She wants all of Iraq's neighbors – including Syria and Iran – to join a U.S.-organized regional security conference. But she hasn't explained how to accomplish this if Iran and Syria fail to accept the preconditions Mrs. Clinton insists that such "rogue regimes" must meet before her administration would meet with them. 
Mr. Obama favors limited dialogue without preconditions, reasoning that communication – as opposed to silence – is the best way to resolve differences between enemies. That's sensible. 
All in all, Mr. Obama offers Texas Democrats the best choice for leadership, for judgment – and for substance.





Houston Chronicle Recommendations 
Feb. 16, 2008, 2:09AM
For Obama
The Chronicle endorses the senator from Illinois for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle 
TOOLSEmail Get section feed Print Subscribe NOW Comments (149) Recommend (30)   -->The presidency of the United States is a powerful bully pulpit. The occupant of the White House must not only issue orders, but also inspire and advocate for all Americans.
Of the two finalists for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Chronicle believes Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is best-qualified by life experience, skill and temperament to be the standard bearer for his party. In a conference call, Obama told the Chronicle editorial board that "more than any other candidate, I can bridge some of the partisan as well as racial and religious divides that have developed in this country that prevent us from getting things done."
Those who have viewed the numerous campaign debates know there's not much to separate Obama from his opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. Either could ably represent the Democratic Party. Both candidates favor ending the war in Iraq by withdrawing combat troops and initiating regional negotiations to stabilize the country. Both would press for dramatic strides toward providing all Americans with health insurance.
Both support a cap and trade system to begin reducing America's carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Each promises to initiate multibillion-dollar efforts to promote conversion of the economy to clean energy technologies. They favor securing our borders, initiating comprehensive immigration reform and creating a path to earned legal status for those already here who are working and contributing to their communities.
However, there is a decisive difference. Obama vows to reach out to independents and Republicans with a message of inclusion and cooperation. He offers a historic opportunity to elevate national political dialogue to a higher ground. Those who insist on vitriol and obstructionism would be marginalized.
On several issues vital to Houstonians, Obama's positions need elaboration. He recognizes the need to maintain U.S. pre-eminence in space but said he wanted to study the costs and benefits of human space exploration — an exercise that should convince him of the space program's long history of indispensable contributions.
Obama said he did not expect the leaders of the energy sector to vote for him. He needs to realize that the energy sector must be a large part of a cooperative effort to develop alternative fuels and avoid an energy crunch.
The 46-year-old Obama has expanded his base of support, winning new legions of supporters. The more people see and hear him, the more they like him. As the Hawaiian-born son of a Muslim Kenyan father and an Anglo Midwesterner, the devoutly Christian Obama transcends race and religion. His life has been one of involvement with disadvantaged Chicago residents, excellence at Harvard Law School and eight years as an Illinois state senator. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, only the third African-American to serve there since Reconstruction.
Obama is both the epitome of the American Dream and well-positioned to reach out to an international community alienated by recent U.S. go-it-alone policies.
The passion and excitement that Obama has brought to the race can only stimulate more citizens to participate in the electoral process. The Chronicle urges Texas Democrats to cast what could be decisive ballots for his presidential nomination.

 
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