N.Y. Times calls Obama 'right choice'

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The New York Times endorsed Barack Obama for president, saying the U.S. senator from Illinois proved he's the "right choice" for the office.

"Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change," the Times said in its endorsement editorial Friday. "We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation's problems."

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., whom the Times endorsed in the primaries, "retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism," the editorial said.

Looking at issues such as the economy, national security and energy, the Times called the differences between McCain and Obama "profound."

"Mr. McCain offers more of the Republican every-man-for-himself ideology, now lying in shards on Wall Street and in Americans' bank accounts," the endorsement said. "Mr. Obama has another vision of government's role and responsibilities."

The United States "needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership," the Times concluded. "Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities."