The Las Cruces Sun-News endorses Barack Obama for president of the United States.

Like many Americans, we would feel more comfortable with the Democratic nominee if we knew him a little better; if he had been on the national scene a little longer; if his résumé had been filled out a little more. But, we also share the belief of most Americans that our country is heading in the wrong direction and is in dire need of fundamental change.

A Gallup Poll released earlier this month showed just 9 percent of Americans said they're satisfied with the way things are going, the lowest ever in the 29 years Gallup has asked the question.

Our economy is teetering, with the stock market losing trillions of dollars in value in a single

week, jeopardizing the retirement plans of millions of Americans. Unemployment is up, retail and home sales are down and economists warn of a long, continued downturn. Our military is bogged down in Iraq while terrorists are regrouping in Afghanistan. And, our ability to rally world support has been badly damaged by substantiated allegations of torture and by eight years of arrogance and indifference toward traditional allies.

John McCain, Obama's Republican opponent, is an honorable man who served our country with valor during the Vietnam war and has gone on to forge a Senate career best known for his work across party lines. It is not fair or accurate to suggest that McCain's election would represent a third Bush term.

But on the most fundamental issues we face, McCain is offering a tweak or a minor adjustment to current policy, when what is needed is an overhaul. He favors continuation of a tax plan that widens the gap between the very wealthy and the very poor, and a foreign policy that has been obsessed on Iraq at the expense of other trouble spots, including Afghanistan and Pakistan from where the 9-11 plot was orchestrated.

Obama can not match his more experienced opponent in legislative accomplishments. The senator from Illinois burst onto the national scene four years ago with his stirring speech at the Democratic Convention. He announced his candidacy In February 2007, and went on to defeat a stellar field of Democratic contenders, including our own Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Hillary Clinton. Along the way, he has appeared in almost 30 debates, given hundreds of stump speeches and spoken with thousands of reporters.

While Obama's résumé may be thin, his talents and abilities are anything but. In the nearly two years since his announcement, Obama has inspired a flock of new voters who are excited about the U.S. political system for the first time in their lives. He has demonstrated steady leadership and a keen intellect at a time when those qualities are most needed.