Ending the suspense around a question that preoccupied lots of people in Dem circles today, The State, the largest paper in South Carolina, gives the nod to Obama:

The restoration of the Clintons to the White House would trigger a new wave of all-out political warfare. That is not all Bill and Hillary’s fault -- but it exists, whomever you blame, and cannot be ignored. Hillary Clinton doesn’t pretend that it won’t happen; she simply vows to persevere, in the hope that her side can win. Indeed, the Clintons’ joint career in public life seems oriented toward securing victory and personal vindication.

Sen. Obama’s campaign is an argument for a more unifying style of leadership. In a time of great partisanship, he is careful to talk about winning over independents and even Republicans. He is harsh on the failures of the current administration -- and most of that critique well-deserved. But he doesn’t use his considerable rhetorical gifts to demonize Republicans. He’s not neglecting his core values; he defends his progressive vision with vigorous integrity. But for him, American unity -- transcending party -- is a core value in itself...

Sen. Obama would also have the best chance to repair the damage to America’s global reputation. A leader with his biography -- including his roots in Africa and his years spent growing up overseas -- could transform the world’s view of America. He would seize that opportunity...

Sen. Obama is the only Democrat who plausibly can say that he wants to work with Americans across the political spectrum to address such subjects-- and that he has the integrity and the skills of persuasion that make him the best-qualified among the remaining Democratic hopefuls to address these challenges.

He would be a groundbreaking nominee. More to the point, he makes a solid case that he is ready to lead the whole country. We see Sen. Barack Obama as the best choice in Saturday’s Democratic primary.