Obama's Rising River of Ink

The trickle of newspaper endorsements is reaching flood stage this weekend, with the New York Times expected to join other major newspapers in declaring for the Democratic ticket.

So far, Editor & Publisher reports, Obama leads McCain by 58 to 16 in backing from the oldest mainstream medium of all, including the first endorsement of a Democrat by the Chicago Tribune in its 161-year history and the Los Angeles Times' first choice of any candidate since Nixon in 1972.

Their reasons are many and varied, ranging from seeing hope for renewal in Obama to disappointment in McCain, especially his attack ads and selection of a running mate

"Despite his age and previous health problems," says the Kansas City Star, "McCain chose a vice presidential candidate who is so clearly unqualified for high office that the thought of her stepping into the presidency is frightening. That irresponsible decision casts serious doubt on McCain’s judgment."

Many Obama endorsements are coming from papers in small towns, which Gov. Palin has been claiming for the Republicans as more "pro-America" than big cities. Joe Biden has been out disputing that notion, and apparently the editors of country newspapers are agreeing with him.