Obama Gets Nod From Houston, Austin Papers

Barack Obama has clinched endorsements from the Austin American Statesman and the Houston Chronicle, two Texas papers that once backed George W. Bush—while John McCain gained the Columbus Dispatch in crucial Ohio along with the San Diego Union Tribune. Obama now leads 105-33 in the endorsements race, according to Editor & Publisher—a tally that includes at least 24 papers that were once pro-Bush.

The Chronicle praised Obama for focusing on “bread and butter issues” while McCain went negative; the paper also called “inflammatory” Palin “the worst mistake McCain made in his campaign.” The Statesman spoke similarly of Obama’s “firm grasp” on policy, and skewered McCain in particular on his “false promise of cheap gasoline.” The Dispatch said Obama lacked experience, and worried about checks and balances in a Washington wholly controlled by Democrats.