News Journal editorial board

What do you want the United States of America to be?

Ask yourself that question as you travel to your polling place on Tuesday, and do not enter the voting booth until you are satisfied with your answer.

We will not use this space to provide that answer for you. We can only put forth this simple phrase: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

It’s the means to that end that has defined political debate since the days of the Continental Congress. Hardened philosophical differences are the very reason we have political parties in the world's oldest democracy.

Once upon a time, political parties fought about monumental issues like states’ rights and slavery.

This election year has seen the Republican and Democratic parties fade into the background as their two respective presidential nominees waged campaigns largely on character assassination –– always a part of the body politic, but never built on allegations of sexual misconduct and claims of criminal wrongdoing.

Like ocean-going battleships of a bygone era firing cannons at close range, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and their respective associates have ceaselessly lobbed projectiles at one another.

The tale of the tape is unsettling when one parses the allegations. And it is Trump who emerges eminently less qualified to hold any public office, much less the highest in the land.

Trump has been criticized for avoiding federal taxes, though there is no evidence he broke the law. There are, however, volumes of evidence that Trump is not the successful, revolutionary businessman he claims to be. There is evidence that he is a misogynist, racist and bully. There also is evidence that Trump does not care about the disenfranchised –– or anyone who cannot serve his interests.

Millennials could decide presidential race

Trump supporters paint Clinton as a liar who is “plagued by scandal.” There is no denying that the Benghazi tragedy happened on her watch, though blaming her solely for the government's failure belies the facts. There also is no denying that the FBI’s email probe has been hearty fodder for Trump backers, despite the fact that no crime has been uncovered. Clinton’s ties to her husband’s foundation present ample opportunity for misdeeds, though, again, none have been uncovered.

What is plain to see is Hillary Clinton’s intelligence, patience, poise, charisma, willingness to listen, compassion, and, perhaps most importantly, understanding of our Constitution what it takes to preserve its fundamental values.

Clinton’s experience makes her one of the most dynamic candidates we have seen in the history of the presidency. From lawyer, to child advocate, to secretary of state, to mother, to first lady, to women’s rights advocate, Clinton can directly relate to the experiences of millions of Americans, most notably women. If elected, she would be the first woman to hold the office.

We strongly believe that Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton should be elected the 45th President of the United States of America.

Donald Trump has sought to play one role his entire life – that of the dispassionate tycoon. To those who chant along with Trump “Make America Great Again,” we say “absolutely.” But we cannot make America great again through isolation or alliances with leaders like Vladimir Putin, who spit on our constitution’s most important tenets –– freedom of expression.

We must remain a beacon of hope and humanity for all the world. Hillary Clinton understands that.

By his words, Donald Trump does not.

According to Handlesblatt, a German business newspaper, 18 of the world’s 20 largest industrial nations support Clinton.

Israel stands to lose the most in the wake of the controversial Iran nuclear deal that Clinton supported conditionally. But even Israelis support Clinton over Trump, according to recent polls.

Elections 2016

Only Putin’s Russia supports Trump, Handlesblatt reports. As long as his oppressive and economically incompetent regime remains in place, how can we as Americans call Putin an ally?

Our faith in Clinton’s foreign and domestic approach is bolstered by the fact she would be entering what is essentially a third term in the White House. Like Hillary Clinton, critics love to sling mud at President Bill Clinton. But, It's worth remembering that he was in office during the biggest economic expansion in our nation’s history.

As first lady, a senator and then secretary of state, Hillary Clinton has accrued a complete understanding of the presidency, the Congress, national affairs and international diplomacy. She knows what tactics work, and, more critically, what do not.

As we saw in the 2008 presidential run, Clinton, even as Secretary of State, is not an Obama lackey. Though she won’t say it publicly so as not to offend her current boss, who is campaigning mightily for her, Clinton knows that the Obama administration has made mistakes.

She knows the Affordable Care Act requires an overhaul and, from her own efforts as first lady, has an intimate knowledge of the challenges facing truly effective health care reform.

Clinton understands that some Republicans may heed Trump’s call to obstruct a Clinton presidency, much like hardline GOP members have done to Obama.

We have no doubt that Clinton, far more than Trump, is prepared to work her way through such tactics.

Clinton, far more than Trump, is prepared to be president of the United States of America.

And the United States of America will be far better off with her leadership.

The News Journal editorial board includes President and Publisher Susan Leath, Vice President of News David Ledford, engagement editors Jason Levine and Carron Phillips, and reporter Esteban Parra.