The Tampa Bay Times endorsed Hillary Clinton in part on the belief that her campaign provides more realistic policy proposals. | AP Photo Clinton picks up Florida, Texas newspaper endorsements

Hillary Clinton on Friday scored the endorsement of the editorial board of the Tampa Bay Times, one of Florida's most influential newspapers, ahead of the state's March 15 primary. The paper's editorial board also ripped into Bernie Sanders, calling his proposals "expensive fantasies."

Deeming Clinton the best candidate to tackle issues ranging from economic strife to global terrorism and national security, the editorial board of the historically liberal-leaning publication wrote that the former secretary of state is "clearly the best prepared to achieve results in each of those areas."


Writing that Sanders' calls "for revolutionary change are as tantalizing to liberal voters as they are unrealistic, particularly in today's polarized politics," the paper summarily ticks through its list of grievances with the Vermont senator's record and positions.

"His proposals for a single-payer health care system and free college tuition are expensive fantasies," the editorial continues. "His lack of a coherent foreign policy and tendency toward isolationist positions are particularly concerning. There is no indication Sanders is prepared to effectively protect the United States from terrorists or manage the complicated relationships this nation must nurture around the world."

The Dallas Morning News' editorial board also endorsed Clinton on Friday, invoking her work in Texas for the failed campaign of George McGovern against Richard Nixon in 1972.

"Democrats should vote for her March 1. She’s a better choice than another long-shot liberal senator," the Dallas paper wrote of Sanders.

Both candidates have clashed in recent weeks over foreign policy credentials, including during Thursday night's debate, in which Sanders denounced Clinton for associating herself closely with the work of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.