New York Post shuns hometown senator Clinton, backs Obama

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — The New York Post on Thursday delivered a qualified endorsement of Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, snubbing Hillary Clinton, its hometown US senator.

Ahead of next Tuesday's slew of primaries in 22 states, the conservative tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch said "Obama represents a fresh start."

"We urge (voters) to choose Obama -- an untried candidate, to be sure, but preferable to the junior senator from New York," the paper said referring to Clinton.

The paper said it was not eager for a reprise of the scandal-plagued era of President Bill Clinton, and suggested the former first lady would offer more of the same.

The Post wrote it was reluctant to return to "the opportunistic, scandal-scarred, morally muddled...