Republican Presidential Nominee Sen. John McCain (AZ) and Democratic Presidential Nominee Sen. Barack Obama (IL) participate in the first presidential debate, moderated by journalist Jim Lehrer, at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, on September 26, 2008. The debate went on despite McCain's call for postponement in the face of the current economic crises. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg) | License Photo

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (IL) participates in the first presidential debate with Sen. John McCain, moderated by journalist Jim Lehrer, at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, on September 26, 2008. The debate went on despite McCain's call for postponement in the face of the current economic crises. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg) | License Photo

Republican Presidential Nominee Sen. John McCain (AZ) and Democratic Presidential Nominee Sen. Barack Obama (IL) shake hands after the first presidential debate, moderated by journalist Jim Lehrer, at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, on September 26, 2008. The debate went on despite McCain's call for postponement in the face of the current economic crises. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg) | License Photo

STOCKTON, Calif., Sept. 28 (UPI) -- A Stockton, Calif., newspaper Sunday endorsed Barack Obama for president, ending a 72-year record of endorsing only Republicans for the office.

The Record, which did not endorse a presidential candidate in 1992, has endorsed Republicans in every other White House election since 1940, when it went for Wendell Willkie over President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The newspaper had endorsed Roosevelt over Alf Landon in 1936.


In an editorial, the newspaper said it backs Obama over Republican John McCain because Obama "has demonstrated he will think things through, seek advice and actually listen to it."

"Obama is a gifted speaker," the editorial said. "But in addition to his smarts and energy, possibly his greatest gift is his ability to inspire."

The Record said U.S. politics in the past eight years "has been marked by smears, fears and greed."

"For too long, we've practiced partisanship in Washington, not politics. The result is a cynicism every bit as deep as that which infected the nation when Richard Nixon was shamed from office and when Bill Clinton brought shame to the office.

"This must end, but John McCain can't do it."

Editor Mike Klocke wrote in Sunday's edition of The Record that the editorial board was unanimous in its decision.