The Financial Times is endorsing Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE for president, calling Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE a "western strongman" who would stand alongside Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

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"This is a moment for the renewal of American leadership. One candidate has the credentials. Mrs Clinton has served as first lady, senator for New York and US secretary of state," the newspaper's editorial board wrote.

"Mr Trump deals in denigration not diplomacy. He has abused allies, threatening to remove east Asia’s nuclear umbrella, sideline Nato and unleash trade wars. "

The editorial board, which endorsed President Obama in 2008 and 2012, slammed Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, for demonstrating "contempt toward American democracy" by raising questions about a rigged election and threatening to jail Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

"Such arrogance is unprecedented and it points to a fatal flaw in his character. The first role of the president is to be commander-in-chief, in charge of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal. Mr Trump has a thin skin and a questionable temperament. For all his many years as a reality TV host, he is simply not ready for prime time."

Clinton is not without her flaws, however, the editorial board pointed out.

"Mrs Clinton carries enough baggage to fill a Boeing 747. She is not trusted by the majority of voters. But she is manifestly more competent than Mr Trump whose braggadocio, divisiveness and meanness are on daily display," the board wrote.

"Despite her faults, Mrs Clinton is eminently qualified to be the first woman elected to the White House."