Vote McCain

These are uncertain times for the United States, and many Americans place the responsibility on the doorstep of the White House — deservedly so, in most cases.

In the eight years since George W. Bush took the oath of office, the United States has become mired in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq without an end game on either front. Freedoms we have enjoyed for more than 200 years have been drastically curtailed. Our reputation on the world stage has been sullied and our economy is in the toilet.

Voters have an opportunity to speak out for drastic change on Tuesday. Bush, a Republican, got us into this mess, they may believe. It’ll take someone who is not a Republican to get us out of it, they’ll say.

We urge voters to keep their gut reactions in check. With a mark on a ballot, they may help send us out of the pan and into the fire.

For all President Bush’s shortcomings, we must realize that one man alone did not get our nation into the shape it’s in today. The president’s advisors are culpable for the war, as are members of Congress, which is far from powerless in this situation. Congress also shoulders a great deal of the blame for the economic debacle. President Bush may well be remembered as the worst president in U.S. history, but he had a lot of company.

However, Bush’s failures should not send voters running for the first Democrat to come down the pike.

That appears to be the case with Sen. Barack Obama, who has been a phenomenon this campaign season. He’s eloquent and charismatic. He’s a Harvard-educated lawyer who looks good in a suit. He has drawn millions of followers and caused countless nonvoters to register for the first time.

But he has not proved that he has the ability to lead.

We concede that Sen. Obama is a promising statesman, that much of the invective slung his way is overstated, misrepresented or outright false. We’re proud to see a candidate of color rise to the precipice of the nation’s highest office. He’s youthful and vigorous, and has become an international celebrity.

But his experience on the national stage is limited and we still don’t know whether he has the ability to lead.

The next four years will present significant challenges to our nation’s leaders. Those tasks will require experience, level-headedness and, above all else, strength of character forged in the fires of strife.

The cure for America’s ills can only be found in a conservative administration. And that conservatism exists only in the Republican team.

The Dothan Eagle endorses John McCain for president.