Maine's largest newspaper endorses Obama

Obama has also surrounded himself with some outstanding men and women, and that tendency should help him govern effectively. For example, by choosing U.S. Sen. Joe Biden as a running mate, Obama brought immediate foreign policy expertise and credibility to the ticket. The selection made clear that Obama is not afraid to work with people who may know more about a topic than he does. That's good. If he is to succeed as president, Obama will have to surround himself with exceptional people, listen to their ideas and be willing to change course when confronted with a compelling case to do so.

In this race, Americans are fortunate that they can focus on voting for a candidate rather than against one. Obama's Republican opponent is an able politician and a genuine war hero. McCain built a career around breaking with the GOP on high-profile issues, though like Obama, he is solidly within his party's mainstream.

During this campaign, however, McCain has talked a lot about his reputation as a maverick, but has veered little from his party's orthodoxy. His embracing of President Bush's tax cuts, which McCain once opposed out of concern for raising the budget deficit, is an example.

Also, as Obama has grown cooler and more steady in the face of the economic crisis, McCain has vacillated, looking for a theme – positive or negative – that could draw attention and respect away from his eloquent rival. McCain has been an able and honorable candidate, but he is not the leader the country needs at this time.

A long and hard-fought campaign has shown that inspirational leader to be Barack Obama.