Throughout its modern history, this newspaper has endorsed Republican candidates for president, but this election year it will not.

Several conservative candidates with the leadership experience, character, aptitude, credentials and ideas to serve this nation well in the White House failed in the primary, and others chose not to run. Of the candidates in all parties who remain in this race, only one can lead this nation for the next four years, and that person is Hillary Clinton.

The failure of the Republican Party to put forth a serious candidate made this endorsement inevitable, considering that in December of last year, this editorial board stepped outside its usual bounds and recommended against a candidate in a primary election. That candidate, Donald Trump, is a man wholly and fundamentally unfit to be the president of the United States.

This is not an endorsement taken lightly, nor is it an easy one to make, as Hillary Clinton does not represent the fiscal conservatism, free-market mind-set and desire to keep restraints on government overreach that this newspaper usually supports.

Sadly, neither does Trump, as evidenced by his enthusiastic support of eminent domain; his insistence that an impractical, multibillion-dollar wall (which also would mean taking private property owners’ land) would be a good investment; his admiration of tyrants, attacks on free speech and instinct to use brash threats as a military strategy; and his pledge that if elected he would jail his opponent, something that has no place in American politics.

This is to say nothing of Trump’s bullying and shameless objectification of women.

Thinking this election is about the future of the Supreme Court is premature. Yes, the next president could nominate two or more judges to lifetime appointments. And Clinton, unfortunately, would nominate activist judges.

The task of reining in such nominations must fall on Senate Republicans, as they should be able to hold on to enough seats to avoid a filibuster-proof majority. That is, so long as Trump does not do too much harm to down-ticket party members.

As it is, Trump appears not to know what the Supreme Court does or what the Constitution says, and no one can predict or control what he would do to fill a vacancy. And don’t believe that he could surround himself with “great” advisers, much less take their advice. It is clear from his campaign that Trump lacks either the ability to surround himself with wise counsel or the willingness to listen to it. Not one person, even in the face of proof that he bragged about forcing himself upon women and joked about commit adultery, could talk Trump into a simple, earnest apology. Whatever sound policy ideas Trump might have, they are lost in his lack of self control.

This nation needs a commander in chief who can get it through the next four years before it thinks about a Supreme Court in the next 10 or 20. The United States faces unprecedented challenges: an evolving Europe; an explosive Middle East; an aggressive China; and a growing Russian threat that must be met by a leader who does not look admirably upon Vladimir Putin.

Clinton has the foreign policy resume for this job. She doesn’t just bluster about what she would do in the foreign arena, she has been there. Yes, she has made mistakes; those come with the job in a dangerous world. She understands the need to work with U.S. allies and would work to maintain alliances. Unlike her opponent, she knows who American allies are.

The Oval Office is still the most powerful office on the planet, and the person who occupies it must comprehend the gravity of the job. It requires self control, as the words and the actions of the president can put the lives of hundreds or thousands in jeopardy. Hillary Clinton is the candidate who is best able to maintain a reliable policy toward allies and foes.

This election will not be rigged. And while a great number newspapers and broadcast networks can be described as liberal, it is not their words that will bring down Donald Trump. It is his words that will do that.

Third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein are attractive but unrealistic options for some voters. But neither is a fit for this most important job. This leaves one candidate best suited to become the 45th president of the United States.

For the good of and the safety of this nation for the next four years, cast your vote Nov. 8 for Hillary Clinton.