OFFICIAL Endorsements Thread

[Democratic Hawk]

According to Roll Call, among members of Congress:

1) Clinton currrently has 92 endorsements (12 senators; 80 representatives)

2) Obama currently has 73 endorsements (8 senators; 65 representatives)

http://www.rollcall.com/politics/endorsements.html

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Texas Newspaper Endorsements

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Houston Chronicle
Dallas Morning News
San Antonio Express-News
Austin American-Statesman
El Paso Times

You didn't say who they endorsed.

I've just assumed Obama

[Democratic Hawk]

Not sure whether Clinton's been endorsed by any Ohio newspapers, but if not, Obama is well on his way to a clean sweep in Ohio as in Texas. The Dayton Daily News has endorsed him.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/oh/story/opinions/editorial/2008/02/24/ddn022408presdemxxmg.html

Seemingly, the Akron Beacon Journal endorsed Clinton

http://1290whio.com/includes/news/indepth/5279860_Ohio_Papers_Split_Endorsements_053903.html

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Rep. John Barrow (D-GA) for Obama. Looks as if the endangered Georgia congressmen like the idea of Obama at the top of the ticket.

I'm not sure Barrow is quite as endangered as he may think. Low African-American turnout in 2006 made his district's result as close as it was. Still, given that, it makes sense for him to endorse Obama, who I'd have thought carried his district handidly in the primary

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Rockefeller would be a super VP choice.

What are the pros and cons of Rockefeller on the ticket?  I like that he's on the intel committee.

I've always considered Rockefeller a great Vice Presidential candidate, especially for Obama.

PROS -
1. He's from West Virginia where he is definitely popular, winning re-election with 63% of the vote in 2002.

2. Not only would he probably ensure WV for Obama, he would make things better for Obama in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia - a crucial area.  Obama doesn't need to win every state here, but he needs not to be blown out by McCain.  He needs to shore support among older white-working class Democrats and Rockefeller is of definite appeal.

3. Experience - Rockefeller was Governor of West Virginia for eight years, and has been in the Senate since 1985.  He's had executive and legislative experience.

4. He is a safe pair of hands should anything happen to Obama - he's been on the Intelligence Committee meaning that he can answer the GOP scaremongering about Obama's experience.

CONS -
1.  His age mainly - born in 1937 so already over 70 and 72 when he becomes Vice President.  If Obama plans to portray McCain as too old - look at who he's got succeeding as President.


But still I think Rockefeller would be an excellent choice, probably the best Obama could make alongside former Senators Bob Graham of Florida, Sam Nunn of Georgia and General Wesley Clark.  What he needs are older white men, preferably from the South or Border states, with experience and credibility on national security.   

Well, it would be very unwise of Obama to make an issue of McCain's age. That could enable him to select Rockefeller, without charges of hypocrisy or worse; indeed, Rockefeller would be a sound choice for much the reasons you have cited

Furthermore, running something of an 'agist' campaign, is sure to annoy seniors, who may well be predisposed to McCain in any case, given 1) he's one of them and 2) they are more likely to be conservative, as well as offputting to other voters, and Obama needs all the votes he can muster just as any presidential candidate does

McCain's age may well be an issue, but it's not for his Democratic opponent to make it one.

Problem! How does Rockefeller fit in with the 'change' message? He's as much Washington as McCain. Not to mention being a man born into one of America's wealthiest families. Still, it can't have done him any harm in West Virginia, which isn't exactly one of the more affluent states of the Union. He can't be that 'out of touch' with his constituents

But what is 'change'? Hell, after George W Bush, competence would be change

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

And here is the endorsement of Obama by the American Hunters and Shooters Association in full:

http://www.huntersandshooters.com/index.php

AHSA Endorses Obama

                                                  Obama: He "gets it"

Today, as President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), I announced our endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.   Because the gun issue has recently become a factor in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania, I want to share the remarks I made today:

As a gun rights organization we have not come to this decision lightly.  We were formed two years ago because our research shows that millions of gun owners wanted a change.  They not only wanted an organization that would protect their gun rights but an organization that was also committed to the protection of their communities as well as the protection of our lands. We reached out to the Obama campaign several weeks ago to offer our support and approval as was reported by Paul Bedard of US News and World Report. We believe recent attacks on Senator Obama's stand on the 2nd Amendment and his commitment to our hunting and shooting heritage are unfair and American Hunters and Shooters Association is stepping up to set the record straight.

Senator Obama has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the 2nd Amendment by his vote in support of the Vitter amendment to HR 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill of 2007.  This amendment prevents the Government from confiscating guns in a time of crisis or emergency. Imagine how the citizens felt during Hurricane Katrina when government agents kicked in doors to confiscate law abiding citizens' guns at a time when they needed them the most.  We know Senator Obama "gets it."  To say that he is an elitist is patently ridiculous. To hunters and shooters everywhere, Senator Obama's vote demonstrated a fundamental understanding of the meaning of the 2nd Amendment which means he recognizes the individual right of all citizens to keep and bear arms.  Senator Clinton, on the hand, failed to grasp the importance of this critical issue to hunters and shooters and voted against this Amendment.  She turned her back on America's gun owners. In addition, Senator Obama's commitment to conservation and protection of our natural resources and access to public lands demonstrates to us his commitment to America's hunting and shooting heritage. Senator Obama will be a strong and authentic voice for America's hunters and shooters and it is with great pleasure that we endorse his candidacy.

Ray Schoenke
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Congressman (and future Senator) Tim Ryan of Ohio has endorsed Clinton.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/04/19/921872.aspx

Boooooooo!

Not surprising though. Clinton carried Ryan's district (17th) in the Democratic primary. It was among her strongest districts in the state; the others being the 6th, 10th and 18th

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Heath Shuler to endorse his district's winner, which will be Clinton

It's the 'safe' option. Shuler by no means an entrenched incumbent ... yet

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Among congressional endorsees, The Hill is reporting that Clinton and Obama are tied at 99 each; while Roll Call reports 99 for Clinton and 97 for Obama

They may not, quite, be up to date

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Among congressional endorsees, The Hill is reporting that Clinton and Obama are tied at 99 each; while Roll Call reports 99 for Clinton and 97 for Obama

They may not, quite, be up to date

Dave

DemConWatch has 99-92 Obama within Congress (18-13 among fellow Senators and 81-79 among Reps).

Both The Hill and Roll Call are now reporting Obama has 101 congressional endorsees; Clinton has 99

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Clinton endorser Rep. Brad Ellsworth (IN-08) acting on the will of his district reveals that he, personally, voted for Obama in the IN primary

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002841491

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

West Virginia Rep. Alan Mollohan (Politico says he's from Virginia but I caught this one ) for Obama

... which, of course, completes a full sweep of WV's congressional delegation for Obama

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

West Virginia Rep. Alan Mollohan (Politico says he's from Virginia but I caught this one ) for Obama

... which, of course, completes a full sweep of WV's congressional delegation for Obama

Dave

Wow, Shelley Moore Capito had some guts breaking ranks like that. 

Oh bugger. I meant a full a sweep of WV's Democratic ...

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

From Politico:

"Senator Max Baucus of Montana is technically undecided, but Toby Harnden sees an, er, sign. In the window of Baucus's Georgetown home."


http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/tobyharnden/june2008/baucussign.htm

Did he pop around the back to see if there was one for Clinton ... in the trash can ?

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Obama could have the nomination before polls close in SD and MT at this rate

Dave