Washington (CNN)The Des Moines Register on Saturday endorsed Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Democrat Hillary Clinton for their parties' presidential nominations, nine days before Iowa caucus-goers head to the polls in the first-in-the-nation voting state.
"At his best, Rubio offers an uplifting message of a 'new American century.' He shares his compelling story and calls for a referendum on the nation's identity," 
the paper said in backing Rubio.
And in an apparent swipe at Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and GOP front-runner Donald Trump -- with whom the paper has feuded for months -- the Register said voting for Rubio is a choice for "optimism" instead of "anger, pessimism and fear."
The paper had several questions for Rubio, including whether he can make "hard choices" on entitlements, offer a better alternative to Obamacare and clarify his views on climate change. The editorial board also said Rubio has recently "pandered to rising pessimism in his party."
"We hope Marco Rubio and his party take a different path, one that can lead to the opportunity and optimism he so eloquently articulates," the paper wrote.
For Clinton, the paper said in its endorsement of the former secretary of state that she is a
"thoughtful, hardworking public servant who has earned the respect of leaders at home and abroad. She stands ready to take on the most demanding job in the world." *gag*
The paper added, however, that Clinton is "not a perfect candidate," citing the scandal over her use of a private email server and what it said was a refusal to acknowledge mistakes.
"Her changing stance on gay marriage, immigration and other issues has invited accusations that she is guided less by personal conviction than by political calculations," the paper wrote. "She refutes that, and argues persuasively that a willingness to change one's thinking on specific issues, while remaining true to what she calls 'the same values and principles,' is a virtue, one lacking in most politicians."
Rubio's campaign did not immediately issue a public response to the Register's support. But Clinton told CNN after a campaign event in Davenport, Iowa, that she was "very pleased" to receive the endorsement.
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