Here are some recent editorials from overseas newspapers that may be of interest to our readers:

The News-Press, Fort Myers, Florida, on Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama:

Colin Powell added his name to the list of high-profile Republicans who have endorsed Barack Obama.

John McCain downplayed Powell's endorsement, pointing out his support from four other secretaries of state under Republican administrations. ...

But McCain and the GOP shouldn't dismiss the criticism of "turncoats" crossing party lines. They should examine the reasons some Republicans are drifting away, much like "Reagan Democrats" in the 1980s and "Eisenhower Democrats" in the 1950s.

Powell mentioned the GOP's strategy of negative attacks and generating fear of Muslims as examples of a "narrower and narrower" Republican approach to serious national problems. He said connecting Obama to Bill Ayers and "some kind of terrorist feelings" is inappropriate, and he rejects the suggestion that something would be wrong if Obama was a Muslim. ...

And like some other Republicans and conservatives, Powell questions McCain's response to the economic crisis and his selection of Sarah Palin as running mate. ...

The GOP still has a highly energised base that's intent on victory on November 4.

But the party would be wise to consider the constructive criticism from within its ranks, in order to keep those ranks from thinning any further.

Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois, on election rumors:

America is a little insane right now. ...

While (Sen. Barack) Obama is getting the brunt of the irrational crowd's attention right now — he's a secret Muslim, the anti-Christ from the biblical Book of Revelation, won't recite the Pledge of Allegiance, etc. — (Sen. John) McCain is not immune. Heard the "Manchurian Candidate" rumour? Allegedly McCain was brainwashed as a POW, which brought on an early senility and, for all anyone knows, forced him to father a black child out of wedlock – a smear started by Republicans, by the way, back in 2000. Who but the maniacal could make these fictions up, and who but the ultra-malleable would believe them?

Maybe it's full-moon fever, or maybe the wildly gyrating stock market has just put Americans in a state of mass hysteria. When people don't feel in control of their destinies, some go stark-raving mad. Whatever the case, the injuries we are inflicting are not on the candidates but on ourselves.

First, the craziness keeps good people from running for public office. ...

Second ... trying to drag specifics out of the candidates on any given issue can really be a chore. Why? Because many are scared to death to tell voters the truth — that they can't have it all, that low taxes and a government that is there for them in every conceivable circumstance are mutually exclusive goals, that we have to live within our means, that choices must be made — because those who do inevitably get punished at the polls...