Picking up his second major South Carolina newspaper endorsement in as many days, presidential candidate Sen. John McCain earned the support of the largest paper in the state’s heavily Republican Upstate. In an editorial published Sunday, The Greenville News wrote that McCain “has what it takes to be president.”

Over the past eight years, Americans have learned that the world is still a very dangerous place in this post-Cold War era. The next president of the United States must be able to handle threats that cannot be imagined today. John McCain offers a wealth of foreign policy knowledge. He understands military strategy and has personal characteristics that would earn him automatic respect from the men and women who wear this country’s uniform. He is a genuine war hero — a man who endured torture when he was a Vietnam War prisoner of war, and he does not have to prove his courage or resolve to anyone.

Even more, McCain could bring traits to the White House that are needed most during dangerous times. He is an independent thinker, a coalition builder and an intuitive leader.

John McCain is the strongest candidate on the GOP ballot, and The Greenville News endorses him in Saturday’s primary. [Greenville News]

As CNN’s Peter Hamby noted, this endorsement could go a long way in helping McCain where he faltered eight years ago.

The Arizona senator was badly beaten in the Greenville-Spartanburg metro area by George W. Bush in the 2000 primary, largely due to evangelicals who rallied behind Bush.
[PETER HAMBY - CNN]