Obama gets Washington Post endorsement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Barack Obama has the right qualities to lead the United States, The Washington Post said Friday in endorsing the Democratic Party candidate for U.S. president.

"Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building," the newspaper said in its endorsement editorial.

"Mr. Obama has the potential to become a great president," the editorial said. "Given the enormous problems he would confront from his first day in office, and the damage wrought over the past eight years, we would settle for very good."

The decision to endorse Obama, D-Ill., "is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president," the newspaper said, referring to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"It give us no pleasure to oppose Mr. McCain," the editorial said, reviewing McCain's war record and citing lengthy congressional accomplishments. But the editorial board said it could "find no way to square his professed passion" for national security and his choice of Palin.

Even though Obama has an "undoubtedly thin resume," the Post said he has inspired voters of all ages and races during the campaign.

"We think he is the right man for a perilous moment," the editorial said.