London - Britain's leading Financial Times newspaper Monday threw its weight behind US presidential candidate Barack Obama, saying the campaign had shown that the Democrat was the "right choice" to lead the US.

"At the outset, we were not so confident. Mr Obama is inexperienced. His policies are a blend of good, not so good and downright bad," said the newspaper.

But the public had "learned a lot" about Obama and the Republican cndidate, John McCain.

"In our view, it is enough to be confident that Mr Obama is the right choice," it said.

Obama had fought a much better campaign, although campaigning was not the same as governing, said the Financial Times.

"Nonetheless, a campaign is a test of leadership. Mr Obama ran his superbly; Mr McCain's has often looked a shambles. After eight years of George W. Bush, the steady competence of the Obama operation commands respect," it said.

However, Obama was "most disappointing" on trade, said the Financial Times. He had "pandered to protectionists" during the primaries, and has not rowed back.

But he had impressed in his response to the economic emergency - not by advancing solutions of his own, but in displaying a calm and methodical disposition, and in seeking the best advice.

"Rest assured that, should he win, Mr Obama is bound to disappoint. How could he not? He is expected to heal the country's racial divisions, reverse the trend of rising inequality, improve middle-class living standards, cut almost everybody's taxes, transform the image of the United States abroad, end the losses in Iraq, deal with the mess in Afghanistan and much more besides," said the newspaper.

"The challenges facing the next president will be extraordinary. We hesitate to wish it on anyone, but we hope that Mr Obama gets the job." (dpa)