The paper praises Alaska Governor Palin's passion and charisma

The top newspaper in the home state of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has endorsed Democratic candidate Barack Obama for president.

Alaska's Anchorage Daily News, said governor Mrs Palin was "too risky" to be one step away from the presidency.

In an editorial it says her nomination "captivated" Alaskans but that the focus should be on John McCain.

The paper has a liberal record and backed the Democratic candidate in the last three presidential elections.

It described Mr McCain as the "wrong choice".

'Stumbled badly'

The newspaper, which has a larger circulation than any other in the state, said many Alaskans were "proud to see their governor, and their state, so prominent on the national stage".

It also described Mrs Palin as a "force to be reckoned with".

Obama has a "cool, steady hand", the Alaska newspaper says

"Passionate, charismatic and indefatigable, she draws huge crowds and sows excitement in her wake," the editorial reads.

However, it says that Republican presidential candidate John McCain has "stumbled and fumbled badly" in dealing with the economic crisis.

"[John McCain] embraces the extreme Republican orthodoxy he once resisted and cynically asks Americans to buy for another four years", it says.

By contrast, the Daily News suggests, Mr Obama "brings far more promise to the office".

It says: "In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand."

In other endorsements over the weekend the Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Virginia, backed Mr McCain, saying he was "the clear and unambiguous choice" at a time when national security was the key issue.

The Grand Rapids Press in Michigan supported Mr McCain for his "sheer depth of experience, principled courage and unassailable independence".

But the Baltimore Sun said Mr Obama's "steadiness and thoughtful approach to issues show he has the judgment and depth of knowledge to lead the country".



