For president

THE ISSUE

The TimesDaily Editorial Board presents its recommendations for president in Tuesday's Democratic and Republican primaries.

Sen. Barack Obama is a fresh voice in what has, in many ways, become the tiresome business of electing a national leader. Obama, of Illinois, talks about a nation that is united in common causes, not divided by partisan politics, regions and races. He sees a country many of us were taught in school - one nation whose uniting bonds are stronger than the divisive edges that have been too skillfully exploited in the past 25 years.

Obama holds the promise of being the national "uniter" that President Bush has only given lip service. One of the bedrock themes of his campaign has been to reach across party and philosophical lines to find solutions to the nagging problems that have left this great country in a malaise. Health care, foreign policy and economic issues won't be resolved without bipartisan agreement, and Obama knows that. To emphasize such common-sense themes in a primary election, when appealing to a party's base of support is critical, shows that the Illinois senator has a level of maturity that bodes well for the nation should he win the nomination and be elected to the presidency in November.

Obama represents a fresh start for the 21st century and a clean break from the politics of the past 25 years. Though his opponents in the primary all have positive leadership virtues, we believe Obama is clearly the best choice for Democratic voters this Tuesday.

Sen. John McCain's conservative credentials have been called into question recently by the more extreme voices of the Republican Party. That's unfortunate because the Arizona senator is more than just a conservative, he is a principled leader whose first duty is to his country, not to his party.

McCain has always remained true to the fundamental principles of the GOP, which might be the reason that he seems out of step to latter day conservatives. But that's what makes him so appealing as a presidential candidate. His sense of duty to his country (which he paid dearly for in a North Vietnamese POW camp) is unshakeable. He understands that the United States is a diverse country requiring a deft touch to govern. McCain has that touch.

He has not been afraid to work with Democrats on issues of critical importance, such as illegal immigration. He understands that little of significance can be accomplished in Congress without a bipartisan approach to the issues. With Congress so closely divided along party lines - and likely to remain in the hands of Democrats for the foreseeable future - McCain's brand of leadership would be

indispensible.

McCain's military service also gives him an advantage in these trying times that few candidates can offer. A Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, he has an affinity for the troops and an understanding of defense issues that make him the clear choice for Republican voters.