The New York Times' editorial board announced Saturday it is endorsing Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination and Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the Republican primary.
The endorsements, published online Saturday morning, comes just two days ahead of the highly-anticipated Iowa caucuses.
This is the fourth time the paper has endorsed Clinton in a run for public office, and wrote that it is doing so with "confidence and enthusiasm."
"Hillary 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."
The editorial board commended Clinton’s main opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, for bringing issues like income inequality, the plight of the middle class and military restraint to the forefront, but ultimately concludes that he “does not have the breadth of experience or policy ideas that Mrs. Clinton offers.”
It also picked Ohio Gov. John Kasich as the "only plausible choice for Republicans tired of the extremism and inexperience on display in this race." But not before denouncing the candidacies of Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
“From deporting Mexican immigrants and barring Muslims to slapping a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports, Mr. Trump invents his positions as he goes along,” the editorial says.
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The paper also condemns Trump's inexperience and disinterest in learning about "national security, defense and global warming."
As for the "equally objectionable" Cruz, the Times calls his campaign one of "ambition" and not aimed at "restoring constitutional principle."
"Now, whether he’s threatening to ‘carpet bomb’ Syrian villages or pitching a phony ‘flat tax’ that would batter middle-class consumers, Mr. Cruz will say anything to win,” the editorial board wrote.
Unlike Clinton's endorsement, Kasich's wasn't exactly praiseworthy, noting the GOP underdog "is no moderate," and cited his battles with public-sector unions, support for limiting abortion rights and opposition to same-sex marriage.
