New York Times Endorses Clinton, McCain

In an ornery pair of editorials, the New York Times has endorsed Hillary Clinton and John McCain for their parties' presidential primaries. The paper's editorial board calls itself "hugely impressed" with the New York senator's credentials and says "she is capable of uniting and leading." The Times regrets Clinton's vote to invade Iraq—an invasion it now says it opposed—but claims: "That's not the issue now."

On the Republican side, the Times is less effusive. The board disagrees with all the candidates on war, economics and judicial appointments. Nevertheless, the board says its endorsement of McCain is "an easy one," citing his willingness to "stand on principle" against torture and for battling climate change. As for Rudy Giuliani, whom the paper warmly endorsed for New York City mayor a decade ago, he is "a narrow, obsessively secretive, vindictive man." (More New York Times stories.)