Here's a slap in the face

In a surprise move and slap in the face to hometown Hillary Clinton the New York Post endorsed Barack Obama today. Here's a story:

The New York Post on Thursday delivered a qualified endorsement of Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, snubbing Hillary Clinton, its hometown US senator. Ahead of next Tuesday's slew of primaries in 22 states, the conservative tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch said "Obama represents a fresh start."

"We urge (voters) to choose Obama -- an untried candidate, to be sure, but preferable to the junior senator from New York," the paper said referring to Clinton.

The paper said it was not eager for a reprise of the scandal-plagued era of President Bill Clinton, and suggested the former first lady would offer more of the same. The Post wrote it was reluctant to return to "the opportunistic, scandal-scarred, morally muddled years of the almost infinitely self-indulgent Clinton co-presidency." The newspaper did not endorse Obama without some reluctance, however.

"For all his charisma and his eloquence, (Obama) sorely lacks seasoning. And on national security, his worldview is beyond naive -- blithely unware that America must defend itself against those sworn to destroy the nation. But he remains a highly intelligent man, with a strong record as a conciliator. And, again, he is not Team Clinton. That counts for a very great deal."

The daily's upscale rival, The New York Times earlier this week endorsed Clinton in the Democratic race.