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New York Times Endorses Clinton for President, Highlights Experience

The endorsement will run in Sunday's edition of The Times — a day before Clinton and Trump go head-to-head in the first presidential debate.
Image: Hillary Clinton Speaks at Black Women's Agenda Symposium in Washington, DC
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks at the Black Women's Agenda Symposium Workshop in Washington on Sept. 16.JIM LO SCALZO / EPA

The New York Times on Saturday endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, saying her extensive experience, record of service and straight-forward policy proposals are what the challenged country needs.

The newspaper's editorial board said it's not trying to appeal to those who already intend to vote for the Democratic nominee, but rather "to persuade those of you who are hesitating" casting ballots for Clinton.

The former secretary of state has "produced detailed proposals on crime, policing and race relations, debt-free college and small-business incentives, climate change and affordable broadband," The Times' editorial board said.

Meanwhile, her Republican rival Donald Trump "discloses nothing concrete about himself or his plans while promising the moon and offering the stars on layaway," the board said — promising a forthcoming editorial on why "we believe Mr. Trump to be the worst nominee put forward by a major party in modern American history."

But, the editorial board cautioned: "The best case for Hillary Clinton cannot be, and is not, that she isn’t Donald Trump."

The endorsement will run in Sunday's edition — a day before Clinton and Trump go head-to-head in the first presidential debate, which will be moderated by NBC News' Lester Holt.

The paper highlighted the experience Clinton gained as first lady, a senator and secretary of state, saying she has displayed "an unusual capacity to reach across the aisle" during her decades of service.

Follow NBC News' latest presidential debate coverage here

The Times in January also endorsed Clinton in the Democratic primary.

This latest nod for Clinton, however, highlights her weaknesses for some voters — but offers redemption for certain actions: "Her vote in favor of the Iraq war is a black mark, but to her credit, she has explained her thinking rather than trying to rewrite that history."

On the email scandal, the paper wrote: "She has evinced a lamentable penchant for secrecy and made a poor decision to rely on a private email server while at the State Department. That decision deserved scrutiny, and it’s had it."

Clinton retweeted the endorsement announcement from her personal Twitter account. Trump did not immediately respond.