David Obey supporting Obama!

By: teacherken
Published On: 2/8/2008 3:46:09 PM

This is key endorsement from a powerful Congressman.  The Nation has it up online.  Obey is chair of House Appropriations Committee, and was an important backer of Edwards.

Quoting from the piece

"For eight long years, in extreme partisanship, George W. Bush has governed this country by dividing it," the senior Democrat from Wisconsin explained in an email sent to this reporter after we spoke about the race Thursday. "(Bush) has pursued disastrous foreign and domestic policies and has stubbornly refused to listen to anyone's views except those who march in lockstep with him. America desperately needs a new president who can reach across old barriers to form new alliances that can produce a new era of optimism and a healthier respect for the needs of others. I had originally supported John Edwards for President, but with his withdrawal I am voting for Barack Obama."

Pass it on, pass it on, the superdelegates are starting to break towards Barack Obama!


Comments



'Starting to break?' (Jack Landers - 2/8/2008 4:27:48 PM)
Ok, I would like this to be the case, but I don't see how one endorsement from a Congressman means that super delegates are breaking for Obama. 'Breaking towards' would mean that a majority of some group is all going in the same direction.

When we have more super delegates endorsing Obama than Clinton, then they will be 'breaking towards' him.

Anybody have a really solid count? How many super delegates are still on the sidelines?



From the sounds of it... (ericy - 2/8/2008 5:10:06 PM)

most of them are still sitting on the sidelines.   And for that matter some of the endorsements that Clinton got were obtained some time ago, so it isn't clear how the current situation changes things.

My guess is that you will see individuals here and there endorse one candidate or the other, but the others are going to sit on the fence to figure out what way the wind is blowing.  If I were a superdelegate, I would much prefer that a clear nominee emerge from the primaries.  To the degree that this is possible given where things stand now, of course.



Oh Jack, allow for a little hope! (True Blue - 2/8/2008 5:24:28 PM)
Ken did, after all, qualify that statement with "starting."

I'm glad that Obey is on board.  He's a very influential guy.  

Barack has been quietly picking up more than his fair share of superdelegates lately, but you are right that it is still a trickle.  Hopefully that trickle will become a torrent after the next seven days or so.

Obama has a chance to sweep seven states (note: a chance, no certainty).  Superdelegates are prone to vote the way their constituents vote, and by Tuesday night we'll have seven more states' worth of data.

DNC superdelegates might be a bit more independent, but elected officials who see that an overwhelming number of their constituents support a certain candidate might be well advised to take note and vote accordingly.  



name those who have announced (teacherken - 2/8/2008 5:42:06 PM)
for Clinton in last few weeks.  Yes, Blanche Lincoln, AFTER HRC won Arkansas, not before.  Following the will of the voters of her state.

But Gregoire and Obey are BEFORE their states vote, as was Ben Nelson.   And there are rumors floating that the two Dem congressmen in ME will announce for Obama.  Again, that would be BEFORE their state votes, if it happens.



Congressional Endorsements (VaNative - 2/8/2008 5:26:04 PM)
Obey isn't up yet

The Hill



And here's another (True Blue - 2/8/2008 5:28:11 PM)
Governor Gregoire of Washington state.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.co...

Drip, drip, drip . . . trickle, trickle, trickle . . .