The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Columbus Dispatch endorsed Republican George W. Bush for president on Sun- day, while the Akron Beacon Journal endorsed Democrat Al Gore.

        “After nearly eight years of the Clinton-Gore administration, we believe Americans long for leadership that will not hide behind the absence of a "controlling legal authority' to justify its ac tions,” the Plain Dealer said in an editorial endorsing the Texas governor.

        “In George W. Bush, America has such a candidate. This straight-talking Texan brings a promise of political and ethical constancy that Gore simply cannot match.”

        “Of the two major-party candidates, Bush is better-equipped to smooth over the bitter partisanship and frequent gridlock that have characterized the eight years of the Clinton administration and stymied efforts to come to grips with looming fiscal crises in Social Security and Medicare,” the Dispatch said in an editorial.

        The Beacon Journal,in its editorial endorsing the vice president, said Mr. Gore's strengths overcome any shortcomings.

        “It isn't an exaggeration to say that Gore has been the most productive vice president in memory. He has been a steady voice for the choices that have delivered many of the achievements of the Clinton team,” the Beacon Journal said.

        “That George W. Bush stands a fair chance of victory is a testament to his skills as a campaigner and to the flaws of candidate Gore. The country isn't choosing a campaigner in chief. It must select a president.”

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