Former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Endorses Obama

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/16733607.htm

Former SC Democratic Party chairman endorses Obama

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party said Monday he would throw his support behind presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

"I see in Barack Obama ... the same magnetism I saw in Bill Clinton," said Dick Harpootlian, who met with the Illinois senator during Obama's first campaign visit to this early voting state Friday.

Harpootlian's announcement came as New York Sen. Hillary Clinton made her first campaign trek through South Carolina. Harpootlian, who has in the past called Hillary Clinton a polarizing political figure, downplayed his comments Monday and said she or any of the Democratic candidates would make a fine president.

But he said Obama was the embodiment of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream that people be judged by their character, not their skin color.

Harpootlian said he would immediately begin fundraising for Obama.

"I think it will be easy to raise money for him," Harpootlian said.

[ripple]

1. Great news!

SC isn't Hillary's quite yet, it appears.

I would think a former Dem party chair would particularly carry a lot of weight with primary voters. That's just what Obama needs at this point.

[Ninja Jordan]

2. Next endorsement: Jim Clyburn

At least I hope. Clyburn carries a lot of weight in SC.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Jim Clyburn said he would not be endorsing anyone during these primaries....

Clyburn will not endorse 2008 candidate
2/14/2007, 5:28 p.m. ET
By BROOKE DONALD
The Associated Press

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/politics/index.ssf?/base/politics-8/1171467874192590.xml&storylist=politics

[youngdem]

3. Is this the guy Obama & Hillary got in a bidding war for?

The other day I read of an Eastern Seaboard former Rep who had pull and who had started a 'consulting' firm whereby he sells his influence to the highest bidder, and Obama and Hillary were after him. Is this the same guy? Or same story, different guy?

I have to admit, I am a cynic and I was a little shocked at how brazen the bidding was for this guy's endorsement.

[chimpymustgo]

4. No, this guy is a bigtime state politico. This if HUGH!!! for Obama. nt

nt

[flpoljunkie]

5. No, that was state Senator Darrell Jackson. He introduced Hillary today.

[youngdem]

6. Thanks.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Yes......

He's a pastor, and a Senator, and a consultant.....all at the same time....and uses all positions to influence voters.

Pay to play.....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3119303

[youngdem]

10. Weird that it is legal to sell someone else's vote but not your own

We should form DU caucuses and those who intend to vote for Obama, Hillary and others can join in. Then, we can nominate a 'consultant' for each group; he or she negotiates a 'consulting fee' with our candidate, and we split it up the fee to do some grassroots level 'self-consulting', and get out myself to vote.

[IndianaGreen]

9. How much money was he paid to endorse Obama? What favors were exchanged?

It would be hypocritical for me not to ask this question from the Obama campaign when the same question has come up in recent Hillary and Edwards endorsements.

For reference I submit FrenchieCat's thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3119303

As some DUers have pointed out, it is not illegal to pay money for, or to give a lucrative contract to a firm or company, as a quid pro quo for a political endorsement.

I am offended by this practice, and I was not aware that it existed and that it was widespread. This is a corrupt practice, and we must condemn it no matter who the candidate happens to be.