The New York Times endorses Obama

NEW YORK, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The New York Times endorsed President Obama for the 2012 election, citing his "sensible budget policies," healthcare reforms and support of same-sex marriage.

In an editorial Sunday, the newspaper said though it has criticized the president's individual policy decisions at times, it feels he is the clear choice in the Nov. 6. election.

"President Obama has shown a firm commitment to using government to help foster growth. He has formed sensible budget policies that are not dedicated to protecting the powerful, and has worked to save the social safety net to protect the powerless," the endorsement read. "Mr. Obama has impressive achievements despite the implacable wall of refusal erected by Congressional Republicans so intent on stopping him that they risked pushing the nation into depression, held its credit rating hostage, and hobbled economic recovery."

The Times found Obama's ability to establish sweeping healthcare reforms "astonishing," given Republican opposition. Additionally, the editorial says the president should not be blamed for the recession because without him, the United States would have had another Great Depression.

"The economy was cratering when he took office in January 2009. By that June it was growing, and it has been ever since (although at a rate that disappoints everyone), thanks in large part to interventions Mr. Obama championed, like the $840 billion stimulus bill," the Times said.

The newspaper said Obama's policies on Iraq and the Arab Spring are more favorable than Republican nominee Mitt Romney's more "militaristic talk."

The editorial prefers Obama's defense of same-sex marriage, the desire to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and to prevent laws "like the ones in Arizona, that seek to turn undocumented immigrants into a class of criminals."

"For these and many other reasons, we enthusiastically endorse President Barack Obama for a second term, and express the hope that his victory will be accompanied by a new Congress willing to work for policies that Americans need," the endorsement concludes.