The New York Times endorses Clinton, Kasich

The New York Times on Saturday endorsed former secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination and Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the Republican nomination.

The editorial board’s endorsements, published online and to run in Sunday’s print edition, come two days before the Iowa caucuses on Monday.

Of Clinton, the editorial board said “voters have the chance to choose one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history.”

The endorsement — done so with “confidence and enthusiasm” — also mentioned Clinton’s accomplishments and experience. The Times previously endorsed Clinton twice for the U.S. Senate and also in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

The editorial board called Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders a “formidable” opponent, but said that he “does not have the breadth of experience or policy ideas that Mrs. Clinton offers.”

Sanders’ health care and economic plans, the Times said, “aren’t realistic,” while Clinton’s proposals are “good, and achievable.”

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who rounds out the Democratic primary of three, received only the following observance from the Times: “[O’Malley] is a personable and reasonable liberal who seems more suited for the jobs he has already had — governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore — than for president.”

Meanwhile, the Times called Kasich the “only plausible choice for Republicans tired of the extremism and inexperience on display in this race.”

Kasich quickly responded on social media, tweeting that he was “proud to have the support” of The New York Times.

Most of the Republican candidates received sharp criticism from the Times: Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are “equally objectionable”; Ben Carson is unable to “grasp the world”; and Marco Rubio has “forgotten” his New American Century slogan while embracing “the alarmist views of the front-runners.”

While praised for his ability to compromise and his views on immigration, Kasich is an underdog, the board noted, cautioning that the governor is “no moderate,” citing his past views on unions, abortion, and same-sex marriage.

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http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/nyt-endorses-clinton-kasich-218444#ixzz3ykvJZHIy