With an Endorsement for Barack Obama, Baltimore's SUN Does Something Right

The once great Baltimore Sun newspaper is but a mere shadow of its former self. Like many ailing dailies, it's seen better days. Fighting for advertising revenue and readers, competing with the Internet, TV, union labor issues... And the latest redesign inched away more text in favor of larger, garish graphics, combined sections, and way-too-big full body photos of columnists, and seems to be inching closer to becoming a tabloid. (Can anyone else see this paper merging with its new free daily The B?)

However, this Sunday, The Sun, what my grandmother still called "the white paper" not too many years ago, endorsed African-American Barack Obama for President. Their editorial said, "Senator Obama's campaign has been extraordinarily open - inclusive across generational, ethnic and class lines. His top advisers include Democrats and Republicans, giving substance to his promise of bipartisan leadership. He created a disciplined organization that raised record sums yet stayed within budget. Senator Obama's campaign testifies to his managerial skill and talent for surrounding himself with smart, hard-working people."

A little more than a year ago, I didn't think it was Obama's time yet, and that he was too young and inexperienced for the job. I soon changed my mind, as did many others. In fact, The Sun praised both men's admirable qualities, but stressed the lack of good leadership abilities in Obama's opponent, Senator John McCain. In fact, The Sun said what we've all been thinking: "... Senator McCain's choice of Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska called his judgment into question and has proved to be an unsettling distraction as she is woefully unprepared for the presidency."

At this point, I think most undecided voters would rather see NBC's Tina Fey working in the Oval Office than that one.

As for Obama's lack of experience when compared to McCain, The Sun said, "In his first term in Congress, Senator Obama cannot claim decades of Washington experience. But his steadiness and thoughtful approach to issues show he has the judgment and depth of knowledge to lead the country. His first major decision after winning the nomination was to name Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, a proven foreign policy hand, as his running mate."

Thank you, Baltimore Sun editors, for giving me hope. While friends tell me they see more McCain signs in suburban, traditionally white sections of Baltimore Country, as opposed to the overwhelming amount of Obama signs and stickers I see in the city, I'm glad that, despite all of the changes, intelligent minds are still at work at the "establishment" newspaper in town. In fact, maybe adding more color to The Sun really is a sign of the times. Change, it seems, can be a good thing. Let's just hope most of the electorate are as thoughtful and forward-thinking when they consider the country's future.