Presidential endorsements pile up, especially for Obama

A busy day for political endorsements today, especially for Sen. Barack Obama, not even counting the choices announced by the Editorial Board of The Times.

As if to counter the previous endorsement of Hillary Clinton by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went with Obama "because he has the ability to reach out to people who disagree and effectively build bridges."

The 650,000-member California Service Employees International Union, which had endorsed former candidate John Edwards, switched over to Obama, saying....

"he best advances our vision for a new America united in hope."

The Transport Workers Union of America, which the Ticket had reported was leaning toward Obama, endorsed him today. It has some 50,000 members heavily concentrated in Super Tuesday states, including Clinton's home state of New York.

The political action members of MoveOn.org voted overwhelmingly to endorse Obama, 70.4% to 29.6%. Eli Pariser, the group's executive director, said, "The enormity of the challenges requires someone who knows how to inspire millions to get involved to change the direction of our country, and someone who will be willing to change business as usual in Washington."

MoveOn has 1.7 million members in Super Tuesday states, his statement said. And, perhaps more importantly, earlier this week in a major move, Hulk Hogan, the wrestling star who's so good at ripping off his T-shirt, announced he favored Obama.

But Clinton wasn't totally blanked today. She won the announced support of L.A. County Board of Supervisors member Gloria Molina, the first Latina elected to that board. Molina called the New York senator "the best presidential candidate for the unbelievably challenging times we are living" and predicted she would fight for working families.

Additionally, the Denver Post came out today in favor of Clinton. It said, "Clinton's long record in public life shows her well prepared to deal with two of America's greatest challenges: ending the war in Iraq and solving our health insurance crisis."

On the Republican side, the Denver paper picked former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney who, it said, "possesses the executive acumen necessary to implement policies that produce results. Wouldn't that be a strange change in Washington?"

Longtime Rudy Giuliani ally and former Solicitor General Theodore Olson switched his endorsement to Sen. John McCain.

And New York Rep. Charles Rangel, a major booster of Clinton, watched today as his own wife, Alma, came out in favor of Obama. “I believe Barack Obama has the ability to unify this country," she said, "and the character to stand up for what’s right instead of what’s popular."

Now, one other thing about The Times endorsement editorials. One endorsed Obama. The other McCain. It's true they mentioned every single remaining candidate for the major parties' nominations except for one, Ron Paul. Like the endorsement editorials of several major newspapers, the 72-year-old representative's name went unnoted, despite his frequently finishing higher in some states than better-known candidate Giuliani, including a second-place finish in the Nevada caucuses.

This widespread omission will be widely interpreted by his thousands of fervent followers as part of a vast mainstream media corporate conspiracy to quell his strict constitutionalist rebellion by not mentioning him, omitting his name from polls, barring him from debates and affording him the least time to speak when he is admitted -- despite his having raised more money from donors in the fourth quarter of 2007 than any other Republican.

The Ticket inquired why Paul was not mentioned in The Times editorial that endorsed McCain. And the editorial page editor, Jim Newton, said he would let the editorial speak for itself. Here it is in case you can find the reason in it.

--Andrew Malcolm

                                                       Photo by Tiffany Koury©Berliner Studio

Comments

[Mo]

Best of luck Sen. Obama! Your record stands for itself! From immigrants rights to the war in Iraq, you're on the right side of the issues and you haven't blinked. Win it all on Super Tuesday!

[David G.]

Well, it's obvious why Ron Paul wasn't mentioned. The Times doesn't consider him to be an impressive Republican.

[Davud]

This article should acknowledge that the American Conservative Magazine has endorsed Ron Paul for president...

[Brian]

Read the definition of Republican and see if McCain fits.

Ron Paul in 08!!!!!

[Hopskotch]

"The Ticket inquired why Paul was not mentioned in The Times editorial that endorsed McCain. And the editorial page editor, Jim Newton, said he would let the editorial speak for itself. Here it is in case you can find the reason in it."

I think I found it:

"McCain is not the only Republican in this race, and not the only impressive one. Mitt Romney... Mike Huckabee... "

Apparently they don't consider Paul impressive. As someone who personally wouldn't vote for Paul based on his positions on domestic issues, I nevertheless think their implication warrants at least an explanation.

[jay casey]

While I'll be voting for Obama, because he had the good judgement to be against an unnecessary war, I think it is very shabby of the LA Times and most of the media to discount Ron Paul. It really does make you think that they are not serious about democracy.

As for the DEmocrats, why would we nominate Clinton who has such high negatives across the country that McCain could easily beat her. Obama not only gives the 70% of the people that were against this stupid war, a choice against McCain, but he is so likable that he can win over independents and moderate Republicans that Clinton has no chance of winning. Obama is it.

[katharine]

Thank you LA Times. Let's bring the power of the People to the White House.

[Clare]

My vote is for Obama! Hillary voted for the war to go to war end of story. Obama was bright enough to see through the lies and deception that fooled many. He is a strong leader with great ideas for this country. He has had a strong past that speaks for itself. Obama can change the world!

[MARTIN EDWIN ANDERSEN]

Susan Eisenhower, Caroline Kennedy, the liberal Los Angeles Times, the conservative Boston Globe, Ted Kennedy, Oprah Winfrey, former Clinton Administration cabinet members ...

People from across the political spectrum are craving authenticity and an old style commitment to public service.

Experience counts, when it is the right kind of experience.

That's why America is rallying behind Barack Obama !!!

[Orikinla Osinachi]

The hypocrisy of the American news media has become more pronounced in the coverage of the American presidential campaign in 2008.

Presidential candidates have been misquoted, their statements distorted and reported out of context for sensational headlines and to start controversies to perpetrate malicious campaigns and turn voters against the targets of their offensives and the Clintons have been at the receiving end. That is why David Runciman’s article “Vote Hypocrite” on the Boston Globe online edition of February 3, 2008, is a good analysis of the conflict of interests among the Democrats and Republicans in their power struggle for political supremacy.

I have seen spurious endorsements of the leading presidential candidates by those who have personal grudges against their political rivals. Malice and prejudice are so evident that only an ignorant observer would be fooled.
These dishonest and ill-convinced approval ratings have only exposed the rot in American Democracy.

It is not coincidental that Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Susan Eisenhower, the grand-daughter of late President Dwight D. Eisenhower are united in their endorsements of Barack Obama against the Clintons.

These carpetbaggers of American politics are now the chief donors and sponsors of Senator Barack Obama and the sight of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy stumping with Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama was reminiscent of the "Black and Tan" (biracial) constitutional convention in Mississippi in 1868. The strangest bed-fellows of the American presidential election campaign in 2008.

Barack Obama is the concoction of a plot against the advancement of the Clintons in the political leadership of America.

Most of those now claiming animosity against the war in Iraq and against those who voted in support of the resolution are shameless hypocrites.

Their hypocrisy is so appalling that even strangers to American politics would be shocked to read their so called blogs and comments.

People with little or no knowledge of the critical circumstances of the state of America since 9/11 are posting articles and commentaries without rhyme or reason.

Barack Obama makes two bombastic and impressionistic victory speeches and they are convinced they have seen a "messiah" for a New America. But when you analyze their reasons for supporting his presidential ambition, there are no facts to convince even an alien in New York.

If there was any catalyst for Change, John Edwards would have been the most visible beyond mere political rhetoric and hypocritical impressionism. But they never endorsed or supported him, because John Edwards would not be willing to be used for their political vanities.

[Chris]

Obama not only resembles JFK, Bobby K, MLK and I can't believe everyone has missed it. He resembles Jesus. How can you not vote for the man, the legend, my hero Barack Hussien Obama.

Ok, well Tuesday will predict if our country continues to get worse or begins to rebuild. Obama supporters, need to stay on topic and explain why he inspires you so much. Details please, like he said just a few days ago about his approach to the economy. To paraphrase Obama, "I want to establish a bottom-to-top business model." Thats great, lets go ahead and force the investors of companies to make less profits and give it to the workers in these companies. Great idea, I rather be a worker in Obama's model because being a venture caplitalist would no longer have the same rewards.

Vote for Hillary if you want change.

Vote for Obama if you want hope.

[Felipe Mendez]

Kareem and Magic were both great hoop stars, but Kareem, not Magic, is the UCLA graduate. Kareem, not Magic, is the highly eloquent spokesman for countless good causes. Kareem, not Magic, symbolizes kind humanity and grace. Sure, I'd like to have both their autographs, and I love 'em both, but Kareem's endorsement of Obama means a lot more to me than Magic's endorsement of the Clintons.

[thom]

Why does Andrew Malcolm have to be so snippy when reporting, for instance, what RFK's widow, Ethyl Kennedy, has to say?

Just let her say it. We know who she is a lot better than who Andrew is.

Andrew Malcolm's too brief bio raises questions. It emphasizes his immigrant parents -- is this a sympathy gambit? Has he had a hard time of it? Is he not white? .

And then it mentions he once worked for Laura Bush. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Laura been running cover for her bimbo husband for the last 25 years as some kind of Stepford Librarian?

Laura Bush: "I read. Trust me. He's not as dumb as he sounds."

Andrew worked for her? How could anyone seeking truth be part of that menagerie?

It's like being Eva Braun's (sp?) dog walker.

In the future, Andrew, I'd prefer more info and less snideness, thank you. We can then each supply as much of the latter as we prefer, -- let us salt our own meat.

[ELECTIONREFLECTION]

Go Obama! Go Romney! Either would be a great asset to all Americans and the American economy!

[Zeena]

Obama inspires me ...as a minority- for someone like me- who was raised in a ghetto in Brooklyn- he inspires me to dream..he inspires me to be right from the very beginning..and he inspires me to go to the RIGHT direction when I have chances to go to many wrong directions...and his message says-"it is okay to be inexperienced- as long as you have passion and can do attitude- you can still do better than all those experienced people"..he inspires me to be passionate and follow my heart...He inspires me to be successful- no matter what my background is and what my history is...

Obama 08...

[Sly]

It seems to me that most Americans have not yet had the time to run thru' Obama's records. At just barely 46yrs. he is far ahead of Hillary everything considered, except age. She is proposing the same health care plan that has been on the table and off the table for the past decades - off the table because though it sounds good "universal", it is almost impracticable. Not only is Obama's common sense and realistic but he even goes into explaining the provisions his plan would have on possible left-outs, if there be. Obama is about the same age as Bill was when he was moving into the White House. And all this talk about experience - for God's sake, Obama was a Senator in Illinois before winning the US senate and so has been an elected official to voters for 11 years and Hillary just 6. So, when people look at both Obama and Hillary, I think they confuse age and experience. Obama also has extensively travelled all over the world meeting all sorts of leaders and there is a new beam of light of hope and positive change shinning on the planet and all over the world just because Obama is running. Even when President Clinton is given credit for a wonderful economy when he was in office, those who give him all that credit including himself should realize that it was during a period when America was at peace with itself and not at war, so peace times and not Clinton deserve the credit. Besides, the past is the past and the future the future with unmatched challenges. People have not yet seen the last of Clinton tricks and spins yet in this election and my fear is that we are still in for the worst from them. It is about time America buries the divisive politics of the past 30something years of Clinton/Bush controversies, spins and an economy gone wild and vote for Obama who seems to be the only choice capable of putting things together with an inclusive and fresh spirit. Barack Obama demonstrates both exceptional intelligence and the thinking ability necessary to develop vision and perspective. Though I have always been very supportive of women all my life and sometimes even believe that the future belongs to women, Senator Clinton who happens to be very polarizing and unpredictable at her age would be the most wrong woman to be US President.

[Jay]

Uncommitted superdelegates, if in your heart you want to back Obama, this is the fierce urgency of now. Act!