Absolute WORST & Most Ignorant McCain Endorsement in History: Hope He Doesn't Die.

The intangibles of leadership can be the key to a presidency. Ronald Reagan became famous as the Great Communicator. John Kennedy built a Camelot image, and Franklin Roosevelt taught a nation to overcome fear itself. Obama seems to have the inside track as a fluent communicator, and his life certainly is a symbol of a new America. McCain stumbled in his first major leadership decision, going with a Quayle-like, opportunistic vice presidential pick, and it has hurt him. But he, too, has a powerful life narrative and is a man of deep character.

Ultimately, the presidency should be viewed in the context of the entire national government. There is no doubt that the Democrats will have control of the House and Senate. They may even have a filibuster-proof edge in the upper chamber, though we hope not. An Obama election would create a mandate-bearing, one-party government, not necessarily a good thing in recent United States history. The hubris of Republican rule during Bush II or Democratic rule during the Johnson administration are scary precedents. The importance of maintaining the checks and balances of divided government is, in the end, the best argument for John McCain, and it is on this basis that he receives our endorsement.

Given his age and health, McCain may very well be a one-term president, and we sincerely hope that Palin is the quick study she is said to be if, for some reason, McCain's presidency is cut short. She has much to learn. . McCain is a genuine American hero. He can be a great American leader. His maverick Republicanism mirrors well the spirit of East Tennessee. He has served his country throughout his life, and he will do it proud as president of the United States.

Posted by paxlrose on October 26, 2008 at 12:07 a.m.

Based on the headline, I wonder if this was a way to keep subscribers.
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Posted by hagerman on October 26, 2008 at 12:08 a.m.

"The importance of maintaining the checks and balances of divided government is, in the end, the best argument for John McCain, and it is on this basis that he receives our endorsement."

So THAT's your best argument??? Good grief.
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Posted by TennesseeValuesAuthority on October 26, 2008 at 12:09 a.m.

Shocked. I am completely shocked that the liberal left-leaning Knoxville News Sentinel would suddenly change course and endorse the Republican candidate. Who could have foreseen this?
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Posted by kerowack on October 26, 2008 at 12:20 a.m.

"McCain is a genuine American hero."

Read the recent Rolling Stone... are you kidding me???

"we sincerely hope that Palin is the quick study she is said to be if, for some reason, McCain's presidency is cut short. She has much to learn."

Your endorsement is indeed indicative of the I.Q.'s of the simps and cretins that live in East Tennessee and read your "paper".(and yes, I am one of them) Obama is a very intelligent, honest, caring, humanistic and charismatic individual. None of these adjectives can be applied to McCain(or Bush). Leadership material. In light of the overwhelming evidence of Obama's superiority, one must assume it's the race thing. Or a Haslam thing. Or both being synonymous.
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Posted by kerowack on October 26, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

East Tennessee is hate country.
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Posted by bradakard on October 26, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

East Tennessee must be enjoying the economic meltdown, the war that rivals OJ's hunt for the real killers, and total lack of job creation (last I checked it was 1/7th of the jobs created by Clinton).

You can say McCain is different than Bush, but actions speak louder than words. The man campaigned for Bush vigorously in 2004 and voted in line with Bush's wishes 90% of the time. If McCain is such a 'maverick,' he has had 25 1/2 years in the House and the Senate to institute all the change he speaks of. I certainly have yet to see it.
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Posted by fratricide08 on October 26, 2008 at 1:58 a.m.

East Tennessee isn't McCain country. We're divided like every other place in America despite the arrogance of those who would pretend that diversity of thought and opinion does not exist.

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Posted by Voluxuary on October 26, 2008 at 3:35 a.m.

By endorsing McCain, KNS succeeds in keeping its crazy wingnut subscribers and advertisers, but fails in every other important test of journalism. Even the Anchorage Daily News, from red, red Alaska, Sarah Palin's home state, had the courage and intelligence to endorse Obama.

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Posted by MDB on October 26, 2008 at 7:24 a.m.

"The importance of maintaining the checks and balances of divided government is, in the end, the best argument for John McCain, and it is on this basis that he receives our endorsement."

So, who at the RNC directed KNS to use the newest GOP talking point?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

The editorial staff here couldn't be more Republican if they hired Karl Rove.
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Posted by JoJoSchmo on October 26, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.

"Given his age and health, McCain may very well be a one-term president, and we sincerely hope that Palin is the quick study she is said to be if, for some reason, McCain's presidency is cut short."

That's an awful lot of hope in one little sentence.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
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Posted by markh on October 26, 2008 at 7:54 a.m.

Doesn't the rest of the country make fun of East Tennessee and call us dumb hillbillies? Or are we more like the battered spouse? Well, good luck with that McCainiacs - I'll be voting again' ya. And no, not for Obammy either. They both are e-vile and make me sick to my stomach to think about either one as my dear leader for the next four years. Yeah, I'm "throwin' my vote away", but at least I had the guts and the intelligence and the morals to stand up to evil. You guys will get what you deserve. Too bad you will tar me with it too.