From the Anchorage Daily News:

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain. On the most important issue of the day, Sen. Obama is a clear choice.

Sen. McCain describes himself as a maverick, by which he seems to mean that he spent 25 years trying unsuccessfully to persuade his own party to follow his bipartisan, centrist lead. Sadly, maverick John McCain didn't show up for the campaign. Instead we have candidate McCain, who embraces the extreme Republican orthodoxy he once resisted and cynically asks Americans to buy for another four years.

Gov. Palin has shown the country why she has been so successful in her young political career. Passionate, charismatic and indefatigable, she draws huge crowds and sows excitement in her wake. She has made it clear she's a force to be reckoned with, and you can be sure politicians and political professionals across the country have taken note. Her future, in Alaska and on the national stage, seems certain to be played out in the limelight.

Yet despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth. To step in and juggle the demands of an economic meltdown, two deadly wars and a deteriorating climate crisis would stretch the governor beyond her range. Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time.

From the Lawrence Journal-World:

Most Americans agree, but there are wide differences in what change means depending on which man becomes this country’s next president.

McCain is quick to acknowledge that many in Washington — those who have occupied the Oval Office and those in Congress, not just for the past eight years but over a much longer period — have failed to measure up to their responsibilities.

Our elected leaders have turned their heads, closed their eyes and not addressed pressing needs.

McCain says if he is elected, he will crack down, demand performance and change the way elected officials carry out their responsibilities.

He believes our system of government is the best in the world, and his call for “change” refers to preserving and strengthening this system, to clean and correct the abuses, not change our historic system of government. Free enterprise, capitalism, the limited role of government in the lives of Americans, the right for secret votes on matters such as union representation, a tax schedule that encourages growth and private ownership, all are important.

He has made it clear that if he is elected, changes will be made in Washington.

“Change” with Obama means changing how this country and its system of government work.

“Change” for McCain means keeping our traditional system of government but changing the manner in which elected officials are expected to carry out the responsibilities of their offices.