Andrew Young to endorse Wesley Clark

[PSU84]

Andrew Young to endorse Wesley Clark

The Associated Press 12/10/03


CONCORD, N.H. -- Andrew Young, a civil rights trailblazer and former U.N. ambassador, plans to endorse Democrat Wesley Clark for president, giving the retired Army general a boost in primary states with a significant number of minority voters. Young is scheduled to appear at a Dec. 21 campaign event with Clark in South Carolina, which holds its primary Feb. 3. Officials familiar with discussions about the event, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the former ambassador will endorse Clark.

It is the latest development in a high-stakes endorsement race designed to make inroads in minority communities. Former Vice President Al Gore, still popular with blacks and other key party constituencies, threw his support behind front-runner Howard Dean on Tuesday.

Clark campaign spokesman Chris Lehane called Young "a man of impeccable credentials, a statesman, a pioneer, an advocate for economic opportunity. Simply put his life is a great American story and General Clark will be with him on Dec. 21. But beyond that, we can't comment on what we're going to discuss." Young, 71, was a congressman, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Atlanta's mayor for two terms and a gubernatorial candidate in 1990, losing to Zell Miller in a primary runoff.

Young's ties to the glory days of the civil rights movement may help Clark, a neophyte to American politics, in the black communities.
About half of all Democratic voters in South Carolina are black. Minorities play major roles in several other primary and caucus states, including New Mexico, Michigan and Arizona.

[Rowdyboy]

1. Very cool

This must be the surprise Clark people were talking about yesterday.

Young carrys a lot of weight with older black voters though I'm not so sure how much younger voters will connect with him.

A decent and honorable man and a great leader in the field of civil rights.

[mndemocrat_29]

2. This is a very important endorsement

Young is a highly respected civil rights leader and a very good man. (By the way, is he a superdelegate as a former representative?)

[goobergunch]

6. Don't think so

Unless he was Democratic Leader, which he wasn't.

[eissa]

3. Congrats on the endorsement

Young has a good record of endorsing winners; I'm a little worried here!

[flpoljunkie]

4. Great endorsment for Clark!

A coup for Clark. Congratulations to Wes Clark!

[CMT]

5. Very Good endorsement

I hope my fellow Dean supporters will see this endorsement for what it is--a huge and influential one--and not retaliate for all the negative threads that came with the Gore endorsement of Dean.

[goobergunch]

7. I hope you're right

But given the current state of affairs in GD, I wouldn't count on it.

Congratulations Clark on this endorsement!

[maxr4clark]

8. Harold Ford, Jr. also likes Clark

My wife is very impressed with Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D Tennessee, another prominent African-American politician, and a young one--too young to be a VP candidate.

Apparently Harold Ford Jr. endorsed Kerry early, but also encouraged Wes Clark to run for the nomination. Are these the two best endorsements available from the African-American community?

[goobergunch]

9. Elijah Cummings is the head of the Congressional Black Caucus

and he supports Dean.

However, I should note that Charlie Rangel, ranking on Ways and Means, has also endorsed Clark.

[mattgabe]

10. Ford, Jr. is pretty solidly for Kerry

At least, he's appeared with Kerry at numerous public events.

[NewJerseyDem]

11. Ford is quite conservative

He is for school vouchers, privatization of Social Security, school prayer and other more conservative views. I don't necessarily hate him for that but there are better young black politicians in the party. I think Artur Davis of Alabama is much better than Ford.

[maxr4clark]

12. hmm

Can't wait to discuss that intel with my wife. Thanks, guys!