The next president of the United States will face challenges few could have envisioned. The state of the economy, national security, terrorism, housing crisis and a plethora of other issues will test the new administration. Uncertain times require experienced leadership, and the right candidate to lead our nation is John McCain.

McCain is more than just a war hero as his opponent has suggested. His congressional record dates back to 1977 when he was assigned as Director of the Navy Senate Liaison Office. In 1982 he was elected to the U.S. House and four years later became a member of the United States Senate where he continues to serve. Bipartisan leadership and foreign policy experience will be critical during these troubled times, and McCain's record on both is impressive.

McCain believes in tax breaks for small businesses. The current financial crisis has fueled the belief that Wall Street should pay… and in many ways it should. At the same time it's evident that when corporations struggle, everyone is negatively impacted. Layoffs and 401(k) statements are proof of that as many Americans have felt or seen significant losses in recent months.

Creating business-orientated tax incentives will assist in getting America back on its feet and must be a top priority for our next president. A healthy main street not only means new job creation, but increased wages for existing workers. Penalizing successful organizations would have the opposite effect and unintended consequences.

Our country must become fiscally responsible again. The national deficit is staggering and will need to be addressed immediately. The national debt stood at $5.7 trillion at the end of the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration will add another estimated $5.3 trillion for a mind-boggling $11 trillion total. Strong leadership and a bipartisan approach will be the key ingredients in balancing the budget. McCain's record of working with both parties will be an asset; one party alone cannot accomplish the task ahead.

From a North Dakota perspective, McCain's energy policy bodes well for the state overall. He believes in coal and oil exploration and usage, along with alternative fuels. While he does not support ethanol subsidies, he believes in the industry and supports the development of flex fuel vehicles. He advocates nuclear power for our country in an effort to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, a top priority for our nation as oil prices have reached record levels.

The right experience and a clear direction are McCain's trademarks, ones that will serve our country well over the next four years as we regroup, rebuild and re-establish our position as the world's leader.

The Tribune endorses John McCain for president.