The Fresno BEE now supports Obama

One of the few California newspapers to endorse John Edwards, today the Fresno BEE advises: Obama now best choice for Dems.  The endorsement praises Obama's "unifying style of leadership, his "integrity and persuasive skills to address the nation's many challenges," and his "moderate views" on guest workers and greenhouse gas regulations, both issues important to the Central Valley.

The BEE praises Obama's judgment in opposing the invasion of Iraq and says he will not avoid other tough issues: immigration, Social Security, terrorism, the economy, health care, the environment - "even if senior members of his own party would rather duck them." The paper sees Obama as "a fresh face with a new approach and no old scores to settle."

His ascension would represent a clean break with the generation that has fought and re-fought the Vietnam War and the cultural upheavals that wracked the 1960s....His communications skills could push Americans of all ages, but especially the young, to give more of themselves to aid the less fortunate in their communities.

The BEE dismisses any argument about Obama's experience :

Critics say Obama's lack of experience at the highest levels of government might lead to mistakes. But that risk is smaller, in our view, than the benefit of moving on from the current generation of politicians who have dominated presidential politics longer than some young voters have been alive.

For the Republicans, the BEE endorses John McCain.