Superdelegates continue to trickle in for Barack Obama, and John Edwards says Clinton probably can’t win. Polls continue to favor Clinton heavily in the next two primaries. But observers increasingly wonder, what’s the point? Lacking inertia, Clinton dips two-tenths of a point to 2.1 percent.
::More from Slate
May 9, 2008
Superdelagates That Have Endorsed Obama
Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono announced her support for Barack Obama today, citing his ability to unite the Democratic Party and bring about real change:
Today I announce my endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. I do so after watching these historic campaigns unfold across our country, where hundreds of thousands of people participated as never before. It is clear that Americans want our country back on a course of hope and opportunity.
I make my announcement with deep respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton. She is an extraordinary woman. However, it is time to unite the party behind Senator Obama and to use our energy and resources to defeat Senator John McCain. Barack Obama can unite our Party and our country and bring about the positive changes Americans want.
Of course, all of us are especially proud of Senator Obama’s deep roots here in our state, and overwhelmingly embraced his candidacy in our recent caucus. His love for Hawaii and understanding of its diversity have given him a foundation for understanding the diversity of our country. I am proud to endorse Senator Obama and I look forward to a winning campaign.
The New Mexico Independent has just announced:
Laurie Weahkee, New Mexico’s newest — and most coveted — super delegate, just threw her support behind Obama.
“After the primary elections in Indiana and North Carolina, it is now absolutely clear that Barack Obama will be our nominee,” Weahkee, lead organizer for the Native American Voters Alliance, writes in a statement e-mailed to the Independent. She adds, “Obama has proven that he can campaign in a difficult environment and still inspire thousands of new voices to take part in the democratic process.”- You can read the full interview with Weahkee in which she explains how she decided to endorse Barack.
Today, Wilber Lee Jeffcoat, the Democratic Party Vice Chair in South Carolina and Democratic superdelegate endorsed Barack Obama. In endorsing Barack, Jeffcoat explained:
Barack Obama inspired thousands of new voters in my state of South Carolina to get involved in our democratic process and I am proud to announce my endorsement today. With Barack Obama as our nominee, we can bring more and more new voters out to become involved and have their voices heard. Obama has worked his whole life to unite people from all backgrounds and walks of life for change, he has done that in this campaign and he will continue to do that as President. I am excited to join his campaign today.
Chicago, IL – Today, California DNC Member and superdelegate Ed Espinoza endorsed Barack Obama, citing his judgment, character, and ability to unite our country for change.
Espinoza is the 268th superdelegate to endorse Barack Obama. Obama is 163 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
Espinoza said, “I am endorsing Barack Obama today because throughout this process I have seen him show a judgment and character that we need in our next president. From day one he opposed the Iraq war and has a plan to end the war in a responsible way and bring our sons and daughters home. He has shown he has the character to lead our great nation, from his choice to spend his career serving people in the poorest communities in Chicago to his commitment to speaking truth to the American people, even when it isn’t politically convenient to do so. To unify the country at this time in our history we need a president who has these qualities, and that is why I am proud to endorse him today. My good friend Bill Richardson, who backed Obama some weeks ago, knows what it takes to lead and I trust his judgment in this decision as well. I look forward to working with this great movement to bring victory in November.”
Union, 3 Superdelegates Endorse Obama
The Washington Post | May 09, 2008
By Debbi Wilgoren
Sen. Barack Obama picked up an endorsement Friday morning from the union representing federal employees — and the personal support of its president, a superdelegate to this summer’s Democratic convention.
Two Democratic lawmakers also announced they would cast their votes as superdelegates for Obama, further solidifying his lead over New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the battle to become the Democratic presidential nominee.
“Senator Obama has proven he is able to energize young Americans, independents and even moderate Republicans to support his candidacy,” Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) said in a statement. “I believe he represents our best hope of winning in November.”
In New Jersey, Rep. Donald M. Payne told the Newark Star-Ledger he was switching his support from Clinton to Obama. The congressman told the newspaper his decision was extremely difficult and said he had been “mulling it over for quite a while.”
Read the full article from The Washington Post
Rep Rick Larsen of Washington state did what the Representative whose district I live in did not do-
Rick stood with the Constituency of his district and endorsed Barack Obama for President.
Rep Jay Inslee did not.
Way to go Rick.
a.m.
Rep. Rick Larsen endorses Barack Obama for president
WASHINGTON — Rep. Rick Larsen said Thursday that he is endorsing Barack Obama for president.
Larsen, a four-term Democrat who represents Everett, Bellingham and other areas north of Seattle, said Obama was “the best candidate to turn our best hopes for a better future into reality.”
Obama’s performance this week in primaries in North Carolina and Indiana show “he can take a pounding and come back strong to deliver his message of hope and change. He is tough as nails,” Larsen said.
Larsen joins at least four other Washington “superdelegates” who have endorsed the Illinois senator: Gov. Chris Gregoire; Reps. Adam Smith and Brian Baird, his state chairman; and Pat Notter, a member of the Democratic National Committee.
Hillary Clinton has the support of five of the state’s superdelegates, including Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Reps. Norm Dicks and Jay Inslee, and King County Executive Ron Sims.
Rep. Jim McDermott remains uncommitted.
Nun of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary comments on Voter ID disenfranchisement
WHO: Missourians for Fair Elections
WHAT: Press Conference on the impact of legislation to
require government-issued photo ID to vote
WHEN: 1:00 PM, Thursday, May 8, 2008
WHERE: League of Women Voters, 8706 Manchester, Jefferson City, MO 63144
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – On Thursday, May 8, three Missouri voters who
lack government-issued photo IDs as well as Secretary of State Robin
Carnahan and community leaders will discuss the potential impacts of
legislation currently being pushed through the Missouri General
Assembly. The proposed legislation would make Missouri one of the
toughest states in the country for eligible citizens who want to vote
by requiring voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the
polls. If passed, these changes could be in place by the November
general election and could put the voting rights at risk for up to
240,000 registered Missouri voters.
“This may sound like a good idea at first,” stated Sister Sandy
Schwartz of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary regarding voter ID
requirements, “but once you stop to think about who would really be
affected, this is going to keep a lot of our loved ones from being
able to vote.” Yesterday in Indiana twelve nuns in their 80s and 90s
were turned away from the polls because they lacked the needed IDs to
vote. Sister Schwartz and others are concerned about the difficulties
the policy change would create for elderly Missouri nuns, as well as
other senior citizens, the poor, and minorities.
This is Stephanie Miller On Dan Abrams.
She wishes.
Ha!
DNC Superdelegate, INDN’s List Founder and USW (United Steelworkers)Associate Member Kalyn Free
Endorses Senator Barack Obama for U.S. President
CHICAGO, IL — Kalyn Free, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee, today announced that she supports Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the party’s presidential nomination. As a DNC member, Free will serve as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. Free is also founder and President of INDN’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training American Indian candidates.
This brings the total number of superdelegates to endorse Barack Obama to 258. Senator Obama is 276 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
Free said she was excited to see two qualified candidates emerge from the field of Democratic contenders. “Today, I am casting my support for a new kind of leadership and a new possibility of what America can be. Barack Obama is a once-in-a-generation kind of leader and the best hope the American people have to rebuild the erosion our collective foundation has endured the last eight years. In 2008, we must elect a President who will restore our faith in the possibilities of each and every American, including the First Americans.
“As a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I am proud of what it means to be an American Indian. I am proud Barack Obama is committed to our unique issues and willing to tackle our toughest problems, from historical inequities and injustices to contemporary issues, like protection of our right to tribal self-determination, access to health care for our elders, and education for our children. Despite the threats that have faced our culture and our people, hope has lifted Indian people through the most difficult times. Because we remain connected to our past, our culture and our communities, we never gave up that hope. American Indians need not just progressive ideas but new and visionary leadership that inspire us to build a better future for all Americans. No President alone can rebuild the American public after eight years of George Bush’s disastrous policies and poisonous politics. I support Senator Obama because I believe the only way to rebuild America is to rebuild what makes us great - the hope and drive of the American people.
“Senator Obama is committed to bringing American Indians into the national discussion and into the political process as voters, organizers, and leaders. He will start a two-way dialogue with Tribes by coming to Indian Country to seek solutions for our unique issues and by bringing Indians into his administration.
“For centuries the First Americans have had politicians talk to them, not with them. That kind of politics-as-usual leadership hasn’t worked for Indian Country, and it isn’t working for America. Senator Obama will forge a new era for the First Americans by looking for answers in Indian Country, not from Washington lobbyists.
“I am proud to stand in solidarity with another DNC Indian superdelegate Frank LaMere (Winnebago) in support of America’s best hope for a better tomorrow, Senator Barack Obama.”
Senator Obama said, “Kalyn is an effective and compassionate leader in the Native American community, and I’m proud to have her support. I admire the work she has done to build a grassroots movement, elect Native Americans to public office, and mobilize voters in tribal communities to become part of the political process. And as President, I will work with tribal leaders and Kalyn to ensure that they have a true partner in the White House. With Kalyn’s support, we’re going to bring about real change not just for the Native American community, but for all Americans.”
