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Modesto Bee endorses McCain in California GOP primary

last updated: January 25, 2008 06:40:09 AM

For whom will you vote on Feb. 5 in the California primary?

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John McCain is no compromise candidate. Republican voters either love him or can't stand him. Whatever else can be said about the combative Arizona senator, this much is clear: He fights for what he believes in.

That's why The Bee endorses him for the Republican nomination for president. With 20 years in the Senate, and as a former Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war, he has the independence, moral compass and ethos of public service to both renew the presidency and reinvigorate his party.

McCain's position on immigration reform best fits the valley's needs. He favors a humane, realistic immigration policy that combines a guest-worker program, a path to citizenship and border enforcement -- all of which would help stabilize the crucial labor situation for the valley's agriculture industry.

He is an unabashed believer in global climate change, a phenomenon that will have a huge impact on the valley's water supply and growing seasons. He was an early leader in Congress in proposing "cap-and-trade" legislation to reduce carbon emissions, a method later embraced by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

He favors free-trade policies of the sort that will help boost valley ag exports.

McCain has said he is ready to support an economic stimulus package, but warns he would oppose unnecessary spending.

"If Congress loads it up with pork- barrel projects, which is the major reason we have gotten into the mess, then obviously I would be in opposition to it," McCain said Monday.

The most important thing McCain brings to the 2008 race is a clear position on the war in Iraq. He thinks we need more troops in Iraq, and he's open to a long (really long) occupation if required. He believes in the surge and remains committed to "Iraq's transformation into a progressive Arab state."

With all the Democratic candidates favoring phased withdrawal, McCain would provide the American people a clear choice: Vote for the candidate who wants to stay in Iraq indefinitely (McCain) or vote for the candidate who wants to get out (the Democrat).

We believe McCain has an unduly rosy picture of Iraq and is wrong in advocating a long occupation. But he is a principled proponent of his view. He would force the Democratic candidate to present a strong case to the American people. We'd love to see Lincoln-Douglas- style debates between McCain and the Democratic nominee, offering clear choices on all the challenging issues our nation faces.

McCain clearly is a principled man who is unafraid of confronting anyone with whom he disagrees -- including those in his own party.

We recommend John McCain as the best choice for valley Republicans in the Feb. 5 primary.

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