Barack Obama gets former Rep. Lee Hamilton's endorsement

In what could prove both a significant addition to his foreign policy credentials and a boost for the close Indiana primary, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois this afternoon scored the endorsement of former Rep. Lee Hamilton, one of the Democratic Party's leading foreign affairs experts.

Hamilton, a 35-year House member from Indiana, which holds its presidential primary May 6, chaired the Committee on Foreign Affairs and co-chaired both the 9/11 commission and the Iraq Study Group.

“I read his national security and foreign policy speeches," Hamilton told Bloomberg News today, "and he comes across to me as pragmatic, visionary and tough.  He impresses me as a person who wants to use all the tools of presidential power.”

The backing of Hamilton, who was said to be on the list of possible vice presidential partners for Bill Clinton in 1992, could help Obama, who's been criticized for his foreign policy inexperience.

Both his Democratic presidential competitor, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, and the Republicans' presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who has many years of foreign policy experience, have attacked some Obama foreign policy statements.

Hamilton said he particularly agreed with Obama's stand on meeting with adversarial foreign leaders without preconditions and on Obama favoring possible unilateral military action against terrorist hideouts, although in the case of Pakistan that would be attacking a staunch ally.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Marks]

Sure!

Lee Hamilton can help foreign policy conversation!
More for Obama, good! After Indiana and North Carolina, it should be over.

[Acute senility overcomes Lee Hamilton]

Congressional health experts were united in deploring Rep
Hamilton of Indiana a s the latest victim of severe dementia
syndrome. In a rare show of bi-partisan solidarity ,congre
ss members unanimously deplored the insane rantings of
the latesy victim of Alzeimhers.House reps unanimously
adopted a resolution to increase funding of research on
debilitating pathologies.

[mg]

What foreign policy experience does Hillary have aside from ducking imaginary sniper fire in Bosnia.

[k.s.]

For all those folks that believe the 'Wright Issue' is going to sink Obama, they are living in the same dreamworld that allows the continuation of the failed War in Iraq...

To them 'mission accomplished' was sufficient...

2/3 of Americans want America to withdraw from Iraq and stop the War...and what does the Vice-President say with a smile???... "so."

Barack Obama is offering to oversee the overturn of the blackened, scorched earth of the Bush administration, and Lee Hamilton believes that Obama is our best bet to do that.

[epppie]

Now isn't that just charming. Lee Hamilton has crossed the aisle more often to provide cover for Republican wrongdoing - from IranContra, to 911, to Iraq - than Joe Lieberman. And now he endorses Obama. That Obama must really be a forward looing guy. He must be a real progressive, a real "change" guy. No more politics as usual in DC with him in the Oval Office.

At this point I'm surprised Karl Rove doesn't endorse Obama.

[Stacy]

“I read his national security and foreign policy speeches," Hamilton told Bloomberg News today, "and he comes across to me as pragmatic, visionary and tough. He impresses me as a person who wants to use all the tools of presidential power.”

that is so awesome that someone with so much experience can recognize the wisdom in someone younger than the other candidates and has the full capacity to lead this country.

[chedd]

Great news! Keep 'em coming.

A Super a Day Keeps the Clintons At Bay!

[serena1313]

This is good news. While Iam only familiar with Hamilton's name as a member of the 911 Commission, which is another story, his foreign policy credentials will validate Obama's approach to foreign policy.

Obama has received accolades from overseas. He is well liked and respected abroad according to international news papers.

Once Obama is sworn in as President the world community will let out a huge sigh of relief knowing the politics of dignity will replace Bush & Cheney's politics of fear.

[dave]

when will obama announce wolfowitz or podhoretz as his vp?

[Louis Vuitton Replica]

What foreign policy experience does Hillary have aside from ducking imaginary sniper fire in Bosnia LOL.

[Jansen Hoffer]

Seems to be no deal at all.
I mean it does not really matter if this guy backs someone up. Real popular people like Jay-Z or Madonna can help Obama a lot more.

Please also note that the Obama girl is already helping Obama more than any guy could do.

[Dave j Hornwall]

Hillary is the most notorious sniper dodger in the history of the world. I wonder how was she able to get it done, simply by lying,she just cannot help lying, how sad.

[Kaye]

It appears the Clintons own the Corporate Media because they refuse to cover the Campaign Fraud
trial, in which Hillary faces a felony if convicted. The story has only been mentioned on 20/20 and FoxNews.
The other networks are silent and rather talk about trivial
issues like Re. Wright and Elitism. There was a closed door hearing on 4/25/08 before California Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz and not a word was spoken about
it.