Citing his military experience and “more than a quarter century of accomplished service in the United States House and Senate,” the Sioux City Journal today endorsed Republican John McCain.

The country faces many problems, The Journal wrote, “from a financial meltown, to the war on terror, to health care, to Social Security, to energy, to immigration, to the deficit.”

In such a time of complexity, uncertainty and fear, the nation needs in the White House not an untested novice, but rather the steady hand of a veteran, proven leader.

The paper’s editorial board said it wasn’t sure who Obama is or exactly what he means when he speaks of change. The Journal called Obama powerful, inspirational speaker, but said the Democrat has a “largely undistinguished record of Senate service, a liberal philosophy and some questionable associations.”

The paper also ticked off several areas where McCain differs from President George W. Bush, including torture, energy policy and global warming.

On the topic of McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the 40,000-circulation western Iowa paper “would have preferred former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney,” who garnered its endorsement before the caucues. But despite not being totally sold on Palin, McCain still gets the nod.

Whatever reservations we have concerning her are not enough to trump our opinion about the candidate at the top of the ticket.