Another easy way is to install easyroot. Once it is installed, all you need to do is type 'root' and a moment later you'll be su'd to root.

However, I edited /var/lib/mce/mode to include 'normal' and this did not correct my problem, even after a reboot. I'll try to edit it to include 'flight' instead and see if that corrects my problem. I'll post back tonight or tomorrow with results.