UCLA’s student paper became the first to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president, touting on Tuesday he would be a capable leader who could effectively lead the nation through the economic crisis.”Really, was there any other rational choice?” the Daily Bruin editorial board wrote, noting that John McCain wouldn’t change the direction of the country from the “ill effects of the Bush administration.”
“It would be one thing to support the John McCain of the past, but his present performance has defeated whatever confidence this board once had in his abilities as a leader,” the Daily Bruin editorial board wrote.
The editorial board also slammed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as lacking the “character” and “integrity” needed to serve as vice president.
“The last thing we need is a maverick like Gov. Palin swapping hockey-mom tales with foreign leaders,” the students wrote.
The editorial board did note Obama’s inexperience, but wrote he could learn quickly.
“What America needs now is a leader who is willing to make sacrifices and to accept responsibility for tough decisions in order to save our economy,” they wrote.
Obama garnered more than 90 percent of the 55 college papers that endorsed for the Democratic primaries, according to UWIRE’s count. McCain similarly won more than 88 percent of college papers’ endorsements in the Republican primary, though students at several schools noted their backings didn’t constitute they supported his policies.
