Hillary Clinton gets NYT's endorsement for presidential bid

Swinging behind Hillary Clinton, the New York Times on Saturday endorsed her "with confidence and enthusiasm" for the Democratic presidential nomination, saying she offers voters "the chance to choose one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history".

The Times editorial board endorses Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, the paper said in an opinion piece.

"Clinton is the right choice for the Democrats to present a vision for America that is radically different from the one that leading Republican candidates offer - a vision in which middle-class Americans have a real shot at prosperity, women's rights are enhanced, undocumented immigrants are given a chance at legitimacy, international alliances are nurtured and the country is kept safe," it said.

Noting that Clinton would be the first woman nominated by a major party, it said: "The Times editorial board has endorsed her three times for federal office -- twice for Senate and once in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary -- and is doing so again with confidence and enthusiasm."

Admitting that Clinton's main opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders, "a self-described Democratic Socialist, has proved to be more formidable than most people, including Mrs. Clinton, anticipated", it however held he "does not have the breadth of experience or policy ideas that Mrs. Clinton offers".

The piece said his boldest proposals such on banks and health care reform have earned him support among alienated middle-class voters and young people "but his plans for achieving them aren't realistic, while Mrs. Clinton has very good, and achievable, proposals in both areas".

"The third Democratic contender, Martin O'Malley, is a personable and reasonable liberal who seems more suited for the jobs he has already had - governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore - than for president," it noted.

On the Republicans, it said that for "the past painful year", its presidential contenders have "been bombarding Americans with empty propaganda slogans and competing, bizarrely, to present themselves as the least experienced person for the most important elected job in the world".

Democratic primary voters, on the other hand, "after a substantive debate over real issues, have the chance to nominate one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history".

The NYT called Clinton a "strong advocate of sensible and effective measures to combat the plague of firearms" and that one of the most attractive parts of her economic platform is her pledge to support the "well-being and rights of working Americans", especially women.

"Mrs. Clinton is keenly aware of the wage gap for women, especially for women of color. It's not just that she's done her homework - Mrs. Clinton has done her homework on pretty much any subject you'd care to name," it said.

It said as secretary of state, Clinton worked "tirelessly, and with important successes, for the nation's benefit" and in combination with President Barack Obama allowed the US to "repair relations around the world that had been completely trashed by the previous administration".