Super Tuesday, that smorgasbord of caucus and primary-based political drama, is just around the corner. This Tuesday, Feb. 5, Missouri and 23 other states will hold elections to nominate Democratic and Republican Party delegates, who will ultimately select candidates for the presidential election in November. Up for grabs are 52 percent of Democratic delegates and 41 percent of Republican delegates, so success on Super Tuesday is essential for any presidential hopeful.

The University News has decided to recommend a pair of candidates–one for each major political party. We assert that no candidate exists who perfectly reflects the values and experience we deem favorable, even necessary, to lead the executive branch of our government, especially in one of the first blank-slate elections in decades.

However, after taking into consideration certain character traits and personal abilities, as well as issues such as healthcare, civil rights, abortion, the economy and foreign policy, we endorse the following candidates:

John McCain: We consider McCain to be the best presidential candidate for his party. Though this celebrated war veteran suggests that America remain in Iraq and add troops, a plan with which we generally disagree, we consider his reasonable stance on civil rights issues, such as gay marriage-McCain would encourage individual states to decide the legality of the matter-to balance the decision. This is especially true when we compare McCain with candidates like Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, who oppose such issues whole-heartedly. Likewise, his middle-of-the-road, mostly pro-life spin on abortion balances his opposition to universal healthcare. If his plans to stimulate the economy pan out, McCain might make a dandy 44th president of the United States.

Barack Obama: Though Obama is infamous for his alleged lack of political experience, we won’t hold it against him. Obama’s sensible stance on healthcare-mandated health insurance, part public and part private-and phased re-deployment plan for overseas troops, strike our fancy. Add that to states’ choice in civil rights issues and support for college affordability, and Obama becomes an unstoppable representative for young Americans.

This year, we witness a startling diversification of candidates, but that diversity brings with it the temptation to vote by classification rather than stance or merit. It is unwise to stratify candidates based on shallow categories. Avoid voting for or against a white woman, a black man, a war veteran, an Evangelical, a Mormon, or along similar divisions. Though candidates’ personal traits may influence a decision, they should never determine it.

Do yourself, your community and your country a favor and select issues that matter and strength of charachter about which you are confident on this year’s Super Tuesday. This is one of the biggest political events of the election season. Use your vote, and use it wisely.