AP NewsBreak: Gov. Easley to endorse Clinton

[kpete]

Source: AP

AP NewsBreak: Gov. Easley to endorse Clinton
By GARY D. ROBERTSON – 43 minutes ago

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A person close to North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley tells The Associated Press he will endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

Easley is a Democratic superdelegate who has served as the state's governor for two terms. His decision comes despite several recent polls showing Clinton trailing rival Barack Obama ahead of the state's May 6 primary.

Easley would be just the second superdelegate from North Carolina to endorse Clinton. Six of the state's 17 superdelegates have endorsed Obama.

A former state attorney general, Easley has focused largely on education programs during his eight-year tenure. He's called on both of the presidential candidates to take more about he issue.

The person spoke to the AP on a condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not yet been made.


Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9l322zKobCHD_20ViCp...

[Tarc]

1. Excellent!

[wisteria]

2. So if he has 6 and she has 2 why is this big news? n/t

[emilyg]

3. Good one.

[indimuse]

4. K&R!

!

[palindrome]

5. nice

[Zodiak]

6. Easley is DLC

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ka.cfm?kaid=450015

So it comes to no surprise to me that he would endorse her.

[zazen]

7. smart move: the only way he'd get a position post-governorship

He's not very popular here among any of the Democrats I know. If ever a male politician depended on his wife, it's Easley.

Perhaps this is all very heartfelt and sincere. I just don't know what's left for him here in NC except maybe President of Golden Leaf Foundation, if they can't figure out whom to hire before January. Ralls, Bowles, Winner have the NCCCS, UNC system, and Z Smith respectively. The rest of the plum state positions for former leaders are taken. His wife's got a small program going at NC State University, but that's about her, not him.

[crimsonblue]

8. This is HUGE!

or not.

[zazen]

9. IMO, the other Dem leaders around here don't take cues from Easley

Several prominent "moderate" Dems leaders have told me off the record what an asshole they think Easley is and how they can't wait for him to get out of office. He rarely ventures out for speeches, receptions, etc., and just isn't personally liked or respected that much. Like I said before, his wife is the savvy political one in that family. I just don't see his decision affecting anyone in the privacy of their voting booth. The sentiment I pick up around here in the Triangle, among policy wonks, Dem leaders, etc., is very anti-Clinton. This will just seal their decision by association.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. Great!

I'm glad to hear that. Sheds some light and takes away the sting of the endorsement.

Where's Edwards?!??!

[theHandpuppet]

11. Great news!!

Now I'd love to hear the same from John and Elizabeth Edwards.