Super Tuesday’s presidential preference primary — of which Missouri is a key player by virtue of being a swing- vote state come the actual election of a new president in November — is just around the corner and everyone from party faithful to political pundits to unaffiliated voters are looking closely at the viability of the candidates.

And Super Tuesday deserves that kind of attention. More delegates to national conventions are at stake than on any other day during the pre-presidential election cycle. Indeed, more than 50 percent of Democratic delegates will be selected by statewide elections or caucuses for the party’s national convention. Republicans will choose 42 percent of their delegates on that day.

The Joplin Globe’s editorial board is recommending that Democrats select Sen. Barack Obama and Republicans cast their ballots for Sen. John McCain.

McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, is the only candidate with a consistent record and credibility on the war in Iraq. Although considered a maverick, he appears to be a unifier rather than a divider. He also has shown that he isn’t afraid to take stands based on his beliefs in what is best and right. He is an independent thinker, although his views resonate well with the public.

Obama, who appears to be the Democratic front-runner, effuses confidence and sounds more moderate than challenger Hillary Clinton, the former first lady.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of the senator from Illinois, other than a charismatic personality and sincerity in espousing his views, could be that he is being labeled the candidate of change. His Capra-esque campaign promotes the ideas of change and hope from a grass-roots base. His is a fresh political voice. Obama’s lack of experience could offer new thinking and might provide the leadership to bridge partisanship.

The Democratic race has come down to Obama and Clinton, while the GOP is still trying to decide between McCain, Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, and Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas. Super Tuesday is all about change, making moves in the polls as political fortunes rise or fall. Come next Wednesday, the field could be narrowed even further.