MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The Union Leader newspaper endorsed Steve Forbes in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, saying he may not be charismatic, but he's no phony.

In an editorial to be published Friday, Publisher Joseph McQuaid said Forbes is the only candidate who displays "steady, intelligent, conservative leadership" who is "God-fearing, respectful of innocent life, and determined to restore a sense of decency to the White House."

"Steve Forbes is not charismatic. (Some would say he looks like a geek.) But he's also not a phony," the editorial said. "Ask him a question, you'll get a thoughtful answer, not a soundbite. He is one tough, smart customer who can be the strong, principled leader America needs."

By contrast, the paper said Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain "seem much more interested in what the news media say about them than in their own messages."

In 1996, the newspaper endorsed Pat Buchanan, now running for the Reform Party nomination.

According to the paper, Bush has said "virtually nothing substantial in his campaign."

"Bush is a nice guy but an empty suit with no philosophical underpinning," McQuaid wrote.