LONDON, Oct 31, SPA -- The Economist magazine, a bastionof free-market economics, gave its support on Friday to DemocratBarack Obama to be the next U.S. president, reported reuters. With a front cover depicting a thoughtful Obama beneath thewords "It's time", the 165-year old British publication said itwholeheartedly endorsed Obama. "In terms of painting a brighter future for America and theworld, Mr. Obama has produced the more compelling and detailedportrait. He has campaigned with more style, intelligence anddiscipline than his opponent," it said. "Mr Obama deserves the presidency," said the London-basedweekly, which has a substanial readership in the United States. The Economist backed current U.S. President George W. Bush,a Republican, in the 2000 election and his unsuccessfulDemocratic challenger John Kerry in 2004. In 2000, the United States was an undisputed superpower, themagazine said. The main issue was what to do with thegovernment's huge budget surplus. "When Americans go to the polls next week the mood will bevery different. The United States is unhappy, divided andfoundering both at home and abroad. Its self-belief and valuesare under attack." Despite some risk from inexperience, Obama had clearly shownthat he offered the best chance of restoring the United States'self-confidence, the Economist said. Noting that Obama would be the first black U.S. president ifhe defeats Republican candidate John McCain in next Tuesday'svote, the Economist said: "He would salve, if not close, theugly racial wound left by America's history and lessen thetendency of American blacks to blame all their problems onracism." --SPA 1423 311008 www.spa.gov.sa/603033