Obama hopes Oregon’s ‘important’ primary supports his nomination fight

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sherwoodgazette.com/news/story.php?story_id=120613657774117000

Gov. Bill Richardson endorses candidate, urges Democrats to end negative campaign

LocalNewsDaily.com, Mar 21, 2008, Updated Mar 21, 2008

While basking in the glow of a boisterous, cheering Portland crowd of nearly 13,000 Friday morning, presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama pointed out how important Oregon’s May 20 primary will be to his campaign and the Democratic Party’s nomination process.


New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Friday he endorsed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination to urge unity among Democrats as they go into the party's convention this summer.
L.E. BASKOW / TRIBUNE PHOTO

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Friday he endorsed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination to urge unity among Democrats as they go into the party's convention this summer.


Obama told reporters after his nearly 50-minute speech at Memorial Coliseum that Oregon’s Democratic primary contest between himself and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton was “pretty important,” not just because the winner would gather up about 65 delegates, but because it gave candidates like him a chance to promote his message and practice “retail politics.”

“I think there’s a benefit to having a series of smaller contests that are more intense,” Obama said.

Without those smaller contests, the Illinois senator said, the presidential nomination process would be dominated by big name politicians with money and recognition. A large national primary election “certainly” would have benefited Clinton, he said, and left his campaign behind.

snip: AFSCME chapter breaks ranks

Richardson’s endorsement wasn’t the only one Obama received in Oregon recently. The state chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union broke ranks with its national organization and endorsed Obama. The national AFSCME leadership endorsed Clinton, contributing millions of dollars to her campaign.

“It’s a huge deal,” said Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Ken Allen. “They’re very angry at us.

“We’re independent in Oregon. We think for ourselves.”

FULL story at link.

[sepdxdem]

1. I live in Portland

and would be very surprised if Obama did not win Oregon.

Hillary is still well respected here but unlike most states a large percentage of liberals here lean farther left than her and almost every democrat I know (otherwise known as 98% of the people I know in Portland) supports Obama.

In fact, my 72 year old father can't stop talking about him. Thinks he hung the moon. And that's after spending most of his life as a republican (until Bill Clinton anyway).

Obama opened a campaign office about two blocks from my house last thursday. Not much sign of Hillary's organization yet.