Prominent Clinton Backer Says He’ll Vote for Obama

[MannyGoldstein]

Source: NY Times

MILWAUKEE – Representative John Lewis, an iconic figure from the Civil Rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention.

“In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

...

The comments by Mr. Lewis underscored a growing sentiment among some of the party’s black leaders that they should not stand in the way of Mr. Obama’s historic quest for the nomination and should not go against the will of their constituents. As superdelegates, they may have the final say, which is something Mr. Lewis said he feared would weaken Democrats and raising Republicans’ chances of winning the White House.

...

Specifically, Mrs. Clinton is hoping to gain political mileage by turning one of Mr. Obama’s attributes – his oratory – against him by warning voters about politicians who give great speeches and make big promises but ultimately do not deliver on them.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15clinton.html?hp

---

Here comes the flood...

[babylonsister]

1. Ha! That's gonna hurt. Rec'd. nt

[jasmine621]

2. And how is this NOT playing the race card? nt

[babylonsister]

3. Huh? No one is forcing anyone to back anyone. Your comment

doesn't even make sense. Can you explain?

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. she is supposedly of mixed race herself, but she never misses

an opportunity to cry reverse racism. As an AA myself, I can understand that Rep. Lewis is under enormous pressure from his African American CONSTITUENTS, who have supported him all these years, to support THEIR choice for president. I don't see that as racism. If Obama weren't running as a Dem I would be very concerned about this move, but he's a Dem just like HRC.

[babylonsister]

8. Thanks for trying to explained the twisted logic!

:crazy: :hi:

And if Obama weren't a Dem, I have no doubt Rep. Lewis wouldn't support him.

[maddezmom]

5. to say that about John Lewis means you don't know the man

[Sultana]

4. Daaaammmnnn!

LOL

that's all

[MS Liberal]

7. He is black so this is not a suprise.

In this election for most black men, race trumps everything. It is a shame because this is not what Dr. King wanted. Obama is getting 80 to 90 percent of the black vote because of his race, not because he is the best person for the job. The last thing America needs is another President who needs on-the-job training.

[babylonsister]

9. How the heck do you know black men are voting based solely

on race? That's a bunch of bunk. Have you heard an Obama speech or examined his education and experience? He's captivating the country. This middle-aged white woman is blown away. Just maybe everyone else with half a brain is, too.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. Ummmmm.....I'm african american as well,

and your post is so full of b.s., I don't even know where to start. Could it possibly be that Americans of all stripes have taken a second look at Obama and changed their minds? I don't care who you support, but I take serious offense at you polluting the board with your narrow minded view that black men are somehow just falling in line because Obama's black. How presumptuous.

edit to add:
I am also offended at the back handed swipe you took a DU stalwart, by calling her Stupid? I really hope you're not around here long, you certainly haven't added anything of substance to the debate.

[tabasco]

11. Why did blacks vote overwhemlingly for Bill Clinton?

You sound rather dim.

[Doctor_J]

13. Bill Clinton got 90% of the black vote

is that because he's black?

[never cry wolf]

15. agreed, however....

[Alcibiades]

14. The inevitability meme is no longer

Many Clinton superdelegates signed on early, in part because they thought it was a no-brainer that the Senator from New York would claim the nomination. Now that there's a viable alternative--and one who might even have coattails--I do think some will defect to the new inevitable nominee.

[CookCountyResident]

16. Why is it "inevitable"?

At this point, the polls are looking very favorable for Hillary Clinton in OH and TX, and they're actually quite close in WI as well.

[IndieLeft]

17. How is that? When blacks vote for a a black candidate...

then they are voting for him because of his race? Well what is it when whites overwhelming vote for a black candidate?

You mean if you're white and you vote overwhelmingly for a black candidate then it's... good common sense? And if black voters vote the same way then it's about race? How is that? You don't think that blacks can see a candidate the same way whites see that candidate?

Last I checked Obama was ahead in the delegate count and the popular vote. He didn't get there because of race primarily.

Who ever is making the assessments about voters and race only has half of the procedural judgments and voting trends correct. EVerything... isn't about race. I think many blacks see Clinton as divisive. I think many whites see her the same way. I think many whites see Obama as inspirational, vibrant, uplifting, brilliant and many blacks see him the same way. And their is no doubt that they see an African American with these qualities so stop making his elect ability by his constituents solely about race.

[Divernan]

18. Black Leader, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama

Source: New York Times

MILWAUKEE — Representative John Lewis, an elder statesman from the civil rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention. His to try to counter Mr. Obama’s edge of several million dollars in campaign cash.

Yet even as the Democratic rivals looked ahead to the primaries in Wisconsin, Ohio and Texas, Mr. Lewis said he and other prominent African-American party leaders had been moved by Mr. Obama’s recent victories and his ability to transcend racial and geographic lines.

Though Mr. Lewis had praise for Mrs. Clinton and for her historic candidacy, he said he could decide within days whether to formally endorse Mr. Obama. He also said he and other lawmakers would meet in the coming days to decide how they intended to weigh in on the nominating fight. If neither Mrs. Clinton nor Mr. Obama receive enough pledged delegates to win the nomination, superdelegates like Mr. Lewis may play the deciding role in who wins.

“If I can be used as a mediator, a negotiator or a peacemaker, I’d be happy to step in,” Mr. Lewis said, adding that he intends to speak to both candidates in hopes of ending the race amicably in the next month. “I don’t want to see Mrs. Clinton damaged or Mr. Obama damaged.”



Read more: www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15clinton.html

[Maddy McCall]

19. NOT TRUE. His spokeswoman says this story is NOT TRUE.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4599979

And you know this, because you posted in the thread linked above.

[Divernan]

21. The Times story says "tilting to" and "could decide within days"

That blog article said he hasn't decided to switch. I think it's important to read all accounts to understand how this story eventually plays out. After all, the New York Times has endorsed Senator Clinton, so I'm sure they will be very careful in what and how they report.

[jeff30997]

20. Argh!

Another sexist phallocratic misogynist pig! :P

[acmavm]

22. If Obama takes the nomination we will be looking at at least 4 more years

of a republican administration. Probably the same with Hillary.

How ironic. The most important election in this country's history and we end up with the two worst candidates the party could dig up.

I am positive that this was intentional.

[muryan]

24. And a better candidate would be?

The two candidates you see today are the only two capable of beating mccain. In my mind thats a great thing. We could always nominate someone who stands very little chance like we did in 04

[acmavm]

25. John Edwards was the best of the lot. By far. And people let

the media force him out.

[Akoto]

28. With respect ...

John Edwards offered exactly the same thing Clinton and Obama are offering: words. Whether any of them would follow through with any of their statements is something we cannot possibly know at this time.

[From The Left]

23. Such an Important Endorsement

[JerseygirlCT]

26. I've always liked him

This is a principled stand. I'm certain he would come to the same conclusion whichever candidate it helps.

[Seeking Serenity]

27. That's gonna leave a mark.

Go Obama!