London Times backs Barack Obama as 'American Choice'

Oct 17, 2008, 7:02 GMT

London - Britain's Times newspaper Friday backed Barack Obama to become the next president of the United States, saying the Democratic candidate had shown the 'character, intelligence and judgment' to take the job.

'It is for the American people to choose the next president of the United States ... Yet it would be naive to think that readers of a British newspaper have no stake in the outcome of the contest between Barack Obama and John McCain.'

'Both the economic and the foreign policy of the White House incumbent have a big impact on other nations,' the Times said in a leading article.

Race could not be ignored in this election, the Times said.

'For if the United States were to choose its first African- American, Britain's ally in the fight for liberty and democracy would be sending out a message.

'It would be that through peaceful struggle, and democratic protest, oppression can be overcome, freedom can be won and tolerance can be victorious.

'An Obama inaugural presidential address would deliver an eloquent sermon on Western values before its first word had been uttered.'

Both charisma and novelty can take a candidate so far, the Times said. But Obama has needed much more, and the more he has needed speaks well of him as a potential president.

The biggest question, for a European, over an Obama presidency was whether he would prove able to face up to the security challenges. 'It is impossible to be certain,' the Times said on this issue.

'Finally, he has needed to show himself good in a crisis,' the paper said about Obama, which described Republican rival John McCain as an 'authentic hero' and a 'brave politician.'

'Americans still have many questions about Mr Obama. This election is not over. But The Times, reflecting upon an American choice, hopes that the outcome will be an Obama victory,' it said.