John McCain is Daily’s choice in GOP primary

America can’t reclaim its greatness unless it has a president who will work with Congress to forge consensus. The nation must step back from the edge and refocus on who we are as a people. We lost our way over the past decade, and we must reposition our national compass, but we can do that only if we work together.

Our synergy comes from three co-equal branches of government made up of people who respect those institutions and each other.

Republicans have a two-candidate race for president that offers voters a discernable choice in Sen. John McCain or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Super Tuesday.

Mr. Romney is brilliant. He also displayed a disturbing quality during the bruising debates leading up to Tuesday’s vote in 22 states – he doesn’t wear well over the long haul.

While most of the GOP presidential candidates campaigned hard against their opponents, they generally liked each other. But they couldn’t warm up to Mr. Romney, who touts himself as a former CEO of companies. That inevitably brings voter images of the infamous golden parachutes that rescue failed heads of private corporations.

He is not one of the masses. He projects a cold image, which is a contrast to Sen. McCain. Although the Arizona senator has a testy side, he is a likable man of integrity who sets political parameters that allow him to be an effective bipartisan leader.

No candidate is perfect. Sen. McCain comes closest of all Republican candidates to having the qualities we like in our president. He has the ability to bring the war to a successful end and deal effectively with the economy, and immigration, environment and moral issues.

The Daily recommends Sen. John McCain for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.