Press-Telegram - A complete list of the P-T's Election endorsements

Tuesday's primaries promise to be 'super' indeed.

California counts. The nation's most populous and delegate-rich state will soon have a voice - the loudest of them all - in picking the major parties' presidential candidates.

Super Tuesday, which includes caucuses and primaries in 24 states, may not decide the two final nominees, but it is without a doubt a bonanza.

This year's election has historic potential. For the first time, Democrats will name either a woman or a black man as their candidate.

On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain, 71, if he wins it all, would become the oldest man in history to become commander-in-chief.

In California, voters will consider the usual slate of flawed initiatives pertaining to term limits, community college funding, Indian gaming and transportation.

Residents in the Long Beach City College district have a financial decision to make: Whether to continue taxing property owners well into the middle of this century so that LBCC can grow.

And in Downey, residents are weighing whether to reform some of the county's toughest term limit laws.

Over the last month, we have provided our endorsements, but left two races open-ended as we debated them internally: the Republican presidential nomination, and the Indian gaming propositions.

Knowing that voters must do the same, we have made up our minds. It wasn't easy. There was more internal debate about the candidates and issues than

there has been in years - and that's a good thing.

Our endorsements:Democrat: New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. She has the experience, intelligence, poise and respect to lead the nation out of Iraq, address the economic downturn and restore America's global reputation.

Republican: Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Although Arizona Sen. John McCain's maverick streak appeals to some of us, Romney has proved that an intelligent, conservative businessman can effectively lead the nation's most liberal state, stage a fantastic Winter Olympics and create wealth and jobs in the private sector.

Proposition 91 (Transportation): This measure, which seeks to dedicate funding for roads, is so redundant that its authors now oppose it. Vote No.

Proposition 92 (community colleges): This would lower per-unit community college fees from $20 to $15; dedicate more of the sinking state budget to some campuses but not others, and offers no money to pay for it: Vote No.

Proposition 93: (term limits): This is a power grab by top legislators who want to reform the state's term limits so they can keep jobs they haven't done well. Vote No.

Propositions 94 to 97 (increasing slot machines at Indian casinos): Gambling can be a terrible vice, but it isn't going away, and we would rather keep the billions in California than allow it to flow into Nevada or to off-shore websites. Vote Yes.

President

Statewide propositions

City measures

Long Beach Measure E (LBCC): This measure would continue an existing property tax - about $19 per $100,000 of assessed value - through about 2050 to pay for badly needed construction at LBCC, where the student body is expected to grow to the size of Cal State Long Beach. Vote Yes.

Downey Measure G (term limits): This proposal would allow termed-out council members a chance to run for a third and final term after sitting out for a sensible two years. Vote Yes.