Another Senate colleague chooses Obama over Clinton

Barack Obama begins the new week like he ended the last one -- with an endorsement of his presidential bid from a Democrat serving in the Senate alongside him and Hillary Clinton.

A Wall Street Journal story broke the news Sunday night that Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, elected in 2006, planned to announce her backing of Obama on Monday. Klobuchar later confirmed the report, telling the Associated Press that Obama "has inspired an enthusiasm and idealism that we have not seen in this country in a long time."

Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania used much the same language when he declared his allegiance to Obama -- and campaigned with him -- on Friday.

Casey had intended to stay neutral as Obama and Clinton slugged it out for votes in his state's April 22 primary, But, as detailed in a New York Times story on Saturday, he changed his mind while rain kept him indoors during a recent Florida vacation.

Although Klobuchar's move is the attention-getter, the Journal story also offers another nugget of news that will bring smiles to Obama backers -- North Carolina's seven Democratic House members are planning to endorse him en masse at some point before that state's May 6 primary.

Aside from upping Obama's tally among the party's ever-so-important superdelegates, the bloc embrace clearly would boost his chances of relying on North Carolina to stem Clinton's prospects of embarking on a hot streak if, as expected, she wins the Pennsylvania primary.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Jim H]

Isn't this old news? Klobuchar is a well-known Obama backer. Interesting, though, that Obama racks up so many Blue Dog Democrats, like Klobuchar and Casey. I wonder if Obama activists actually realize that Barack's talk about a "bipartisan" approach involves embraces so many discredited right-wing ideas -- and how much more competent and full of change Hillary's positions are on health care, on the environment, and on relief for the people who will lose their houses if nothing is done -- and Barack's program is to regulate in the future, but let the people who are supended in their mortgages sink or swim on their own.
There's one big secret of the success of Obama's campaign: he makes the pretty speeches, while his fixers and his "fans" fan out on the Internet so they can run the most negative primary campaign I've ever seen. Drudge runs some unflattering picture of Obama? Obama's people blame it on Clinton. We are all Drudge now. In fact, the Obama campaign has figured out a way to recycle all the old hatred and false charges of the Starr era. If it wasn't for that, he'd still be down ten points and likely out of the race.

[Tom]

The amazing thing is the number of people claiming Hillary's health care plan is better. They leave out the near certainty that, much like her attempt as first lady, the plan would get shot down in the house and senate. Especially when all the new democratic voters brought in by Obama thumbed their noses and refused to vote for her (or vote at all) if she got the nomination, thus also adding weight to the republican bids for house and senate.

As for negative campaigning, if pointing out faults (proven, documented faults) and lies... err I mean "mis-speaking" consists of negative campaigning then Hillary hasn't been doing much of that at all. If the aforementioned is negative campaigning what do you call innuendo, guilt by association, and smearing. Somehow they don't really seem to in the same category as me so shall we call the latter libel and slander if the former is negative campaigning?

An independent 40 yr old white male business owner for Obama 08

[marla]

The irony of accusing Obama of negative campaigning when the Clinton campaign has outright stated its commitment to "the ktichen sink" strategy is not lost on Obama supporters. It seems like calling the Clinton campaign on anything is automatically considered "negative" campaigning. What a fair and balanced assessment.

It's ironic, too, to discount the value of endorsements that Clinton would have liked to recieve as pandering to the right, especially when Clinton is trying to stain Obama with the dreaded "L" word: he's "too liberal". So which is it? Is he too liberal, or too conservative? If he's actually striving for unity, perhaps his endorsers recognize that he will actually give them a voice and seek to find common ground rather than attacking them. How refreshing.

I agree that Clinton has some excellent policy proposals on everything from health care to housing. The problem is that it seems likely she'll have difficulty getting those proposals passed. The health care plan especially looks to me like a no-starter: the problems with instituting such a plan nationally would be immense, and the government oversight enormous, and the health insurance industry would strive to block it unless they received some serious advantages that would not be in the public's best interest. So it sounds good, but a mandate to buy health insurance from private companies is not the same as government mandate to provide health insurance. She'd be an excellent president, but it doesn't look like we'll be rounding out our second Bush with a second Clinton.

[Jeff B]

Great news! Barack Obama is the future of this county! It's going to make for a great november when the rest of the democratic party (Hopefully including Hillary Cilnton and her suppoters) allign with Obama to bring in a new era of politics to Washington DC!

[istoba]

It's news to me. Thanks for the summary.
And Jim, it'll all be alright.

[Ron]

Another endorsement for Obama ! What a surprise ......
Why do these super delegates have to wait so long to endorse someone. I'll tell you. It's because they are trying to save their ass . They are like a bunch of sheep and will only follow when they think that it is safe. Meanwhile Bill is in San Jose meeting secretly with California super delegates in a back room, to try and get their support for his wife. I would imagine he promised some pardons for their friends and relatives once Hillary becomes President. It's not like he hasn't done it before. I think that in 2012 we should do away with these expensive primaries and do like the Academy Awards. Both the Republican party and the Democratic Party nominate 3 candidates for best President, and in November we have the people vote .

[Ron]

Another endorsement for Obama ! What a surprise ......
Why do these super delegates have to wait so long to endorse someone. I'll tell you. It's because they are trying to save their ass . They are like a bunch of sheep and will only follow when they think that it is safe. Meanwhile Bill is in San Jose meeting secretly with California super delegates in a back room, to try and get their support for his wife. I would imagine he promised some pardons for their friends and relatives once Hillary becomes President. It's not like he hasn't done it before. I think that in 2012 we should do away with these expensive primaries and do like the Academy Awards. Both the Republican party and the Democratic Party nominate 3 candidates for best President, and in November we have the people vote .

[Jake T.]

you are such a sorry loser Jim H. Unfortunately you are running against the tide here. Obama's momentum is unstoppable now! The lying Clinton has been found out."I misspoke" my foot!. So, get ready to vote for Obama in November!

[Obama Mama]

This is great news, especially since today in the California Democratic Convention there were no new superdelegates for Clinton, although Bill was there having private meetings with them. Yet off in Minnesota a new superdelegate pledges, and when those 7 in N. Carolina endorse in April, hallelujah it'll finally be over soon! It's time. All 50 states and the territories haven't had a chance to vote in primaries in years - more rational systems and elections got the needed pledged delegates before June. It's time to take on McSame.

[Liah,]

HEY AMERICANS !!

THE GREAT AMERICAN NATION IS SINKING.

We are in URGE of NEW MINDS AND INSPIRATIONS.

We need new ideas.

We need to transcend... to a new futuristic VISIONS.

Lets don't fight the natural flow of life and Humanity...

Political Campaign Comes and Goes every 4 years!

Give a Chance To Change.

Our children's children will appreciate it.

from a pondering American.

[Johnny canuck]

That's one interpretation. However, here is another:

The Clintons went negative, and brought up Wright again.

More and more people are researching the Wright issue online and stumbling across this website

http://truthabouttrinity.blogspot.com/

Which is accumulating a vast amount of evidence that Wright is not a racist or a black separatist. It also features full-length sermons of Wright including the ones from which the sound bites the mainstream media has been playing were derived.

Not only do the full sermons put the lie to the charges of racism, it shows that Wright is the Yoda of oratory to Obama's Skyewalker. Even atheists have said they would go to hear this man speak. More religious leaders are also speaking out against racism and for Wright (and by extension, Obama).

The jump in the white vote is probably at least partially a result of this.

Especially in combination with the Bosnia fiasco. Clinton should just be thankful no one's dredged up the NAFTA mess, another falsehood as it turns out, which someone in Canada might be brought up on criminal charges for, or maybe I should say would if the primary offender wasn't connected to the prime minister.

Negative campaigning can work, but as a long term strategy is effective only if based on truth, or on lies you can make stick for the whole election.

Hoist by her own petard, imo

[LinhP]

I got this from some place else. I'm gonna post the original address, the content and the one who posted. Please have a look, check, think, and decide:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/03/girl-in-clinton.html

Time4Action wrote: 20h 55m ago
DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS TO REPEAT A PATTERN WHILE HOPING FOR CHANGE...

1988 BUSH - 1992 CLINTON - 1996 CLINTON - 2000 BUSH - 2004 BUSH - 2008 NO MORE CLINTONS!!!

VOTE OBAMA 2008!

Who's really qualified and or who's really working for the good
of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton. Records of these
two candidates should be scrutinized in order to make an
informed decision.

Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. -
and another year campaigning, has managed to author and
pass into law - 20 - twenty pieces of legislation in her first six
years.

These bills can be found on the website of the Library of
Congress www.thomas.loc. gov

HILLARY
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and
Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart
Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart
Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the
bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's
Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's
Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American
Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation
and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry
Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of
Clinton's bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of
unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable
respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in
Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation
system.

There you have it, the fact's straight from the Senate Record.

Now, I would post those of OBAMA'S, but the list is too
substantive, so I'll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he
sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced 233 regarding healthcare reform, 125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills, 97 economic bills, 60 human rights
and anti-discrimination bills, 21 ethics reform bills, 15 gun
control, 6 veterans affairs and many others.

His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and
co-sponsored another 427. These inculded:
**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006-
became law
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and
conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law, **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation
Bill, In committee, and many more.

In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.

OBAMA
He's not just a talker.
He's a doer.

THE GIRL HAS HER REASONS

[elle]

right, jim.... and thats why obama started the mudslugging just before the Tx, Vt, Ohio, and RI promaries... oh wait that was Clinton.. please do try to get your facts start before you try pushing your own biased agenda....

[Al]

Sorry, Jim looks like the end of the road is creeping up finally for Hillary. Crooked Clintons!

[jose]

Democrats NEED Clinton to stay in the race. OBAMA IS UNELECTABLE IN GENERAL ELECTION. “Obama marched with Farrakhan”Obama's Pastor Slurs Italians in Latest Magazine (CNSNews.com) Wright continues his Obama supported attacks on non-blacks now slurring Italians in issue of Trumpet Newsmag. Wright states, Jesus enemies had their opinion, Italians looked down their garlic noses at the Galileans, and Jesus death on a cross was a public lynching Italian style! This government runs everything from the White House to the schoolhouse, from the Capitol to the KKKlan of white supremacy who is clearly in charge. Every issue published Wright's rant against white people in which he covers a world that is controlled by white supremacy, a country that’s on its way to hell in a hand basket because of lying politicians, in a culture that still thinks 'white is right! He said young African-American Christians are more concerned about 'bling bling' than about freeing their minds and still Obama says I could no more disown him than I could disown the black community. According to his federal income tax return for 2006, Obama gave the Trinity United church $22,500 in contributions. Trumpet Newsmagazine started 80s, Wright is CEO and Wright's daughter, Jeri Wright, is the publisher. Requests for comments Obama camp of course not answered. Trumpet Nov/Dec edition, featured Louis Farrakhan, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement "Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter" award. Farrakhan has called Judaism a "gutter religion" and said Jews are "bloodsuckers. Many of the biased cable news pundits try to make viewers believe Obama's speech limited damage of Wright controversy, but the general election will show voters strongly disagree, especially non-black voters. Obama refuses to explain to the public why he would have someone as such a close spiritual advisor and mentor and why he would expose two young daughters to such hatefulness against fellow Americans. The problem Wright's comments are not theological views, but political statements. This is a serious issue for Obama in general election. As with each new utterance on the topic of Reverend Wright, Barack Obama confirms his own moral obliviousness and he seems to have disdain for those who are troubled by his own unwillingness to break with Wright, even worse Obama still insists Wright is a brilliant man, So brilliant, apparently, that he has uncovered the plot by white America to kill African Americans, so insightful to perceive the 9/11 attacks caused by American terrorism and his discerning observation Israel is a “dirty” word, and still in Obama’s eyes, Wright is brilliant. This, we are told by biased cable news pundits like CNN Obamaphiles, is not supposed to affect voters’ view of Obama’s judgment. Perhaps voters are embarrassed to tell pollsters they are privately offended. General election Republicans as well as independents and democrats are irked by this moral obtuseness even though media like CNN or Hardball cover it up with bogus Clinton attacks.

[BillyT]

Jim H:

Just about all of the negativity Hillary has endured, she brought it upon herself. Lying about sniper fire three times and getting caught on tape as a bona fide LIAR is nobody else's fault but Hillary's.

Here's some more:

Politico.com reports Hillary's campaign has been a major DEADBEAT, failing to pay hundreds of individuals and small businesses that provided services for its campaign since Iowa.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9259.html

Now you're gonna tell us that Obama stole the checks from those people's mail boxes and MADE HILLARY LOOK LIKE A DEADBEAT??

It is apparent that since the Hill-Billy Clintons always blame others for anything they do wrong, their supporters should do exactly the same....

[Paola Waf]

You're talking like a sore looser JIM H. Just shut up and accept the fact your little Clinton can't win...

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

Obama all the way!!!!!!!

[haviland smith]

this is definitely old news because Klobuchar was on STAGE with BO during Minnesota rallies. The L.A. Times, I'm certain, has pictures. Why is this being reported now?

[haviland smith]

this is definitely old news because Klobuchar was on STAGE with BO during Minnesota rallies. The L.A. Times, I'm certain, has pictures. Why is this being reported now?

[Calvert]

Why does the election has to give so much power to the big guy, like a senator?
Is it because he has a big tittle or a big microphone in front of him?

What's about the little guy like us?
Insignificant????

[Goldie]

I think Clinton is intent on political suicide. If she tones down her rhetoric and stops talking up McCain, she just might keep her political reputation somewhat intact, so if she would be needed to step in because of some unforseen emergency, she would be more accepted by those on the other side. So far she hasn't done anything to mend fences like Obama has. So who is the better politician... Obama of course. Clinton doesn't have the magnanimous instinct.

[Goldie]

I think Clinton is intent on political suicide. If she tones down her rhetoric and stops talking up McCain, she just might keep her political reputation somewhat intact, so if she would be needed to step in because of some unforseen emergency, she would be more accepted by those on the other side. So far she hasn't done anything to mend fences like Obama has. So who is the better politician... Obama of course. Clinton doesn't have the magnanimous instinct.

[It's cool]

Hey Jim, we respect the choice that you made for Clinton. Why can't you respect the choice that others make. Remember the goal. Dem '08!!!

[Richard]

Obama is more progressive than Hillary--but unlike her, he has the ability to reach across the aisle to get things done. Ever wonder why her health care proposal went bust in 1993-1994? Because she was an egomaniacal control freak who ticked off members of her own party. But I'm sure she made up for it ducking from all that sniper fire in Bosnia.

[Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams]

Would bill clinton say that the race should go on if he were in the lead in the race? I say "he" because he is running for a third term, unfortunately the women who support Hilary refuse to see this blatant ambiguity. How will his third term empower women's ego? I do not know. The Clintons have their good sides and bad sides, like all of us. But this campaign has revealed something very ugly about political avarice. They have served 8 years already in the White House. America is becoming oligarchy: Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton, perhaps after that Jeb Bush. America should stop preaching “democracy” around the world. She should preach what she practises advocate: oligarchy.