Gore Endorses Obama, Not That It Matters

Former VP Al Gore decided to wait for the primary to finish to endorse a candidate, and then he waited a few more weeks. Well today is that magical day, when he finally decided to descend from wherever it is he comes from, and stated what was an obvious, foregone conclusion--that he is endorsing Obama over McCain. Shocker.

He isn't Lieberman, this wasn't really something that needed to be said, but it is nice that he is going to take a more active role in the campaign, finally. I hope he goes to every state advocating for Obama and fighting global warming.

I'll post more after he gives his speech.

Update: Still waiting for the video or full transcript. Not sure what is holding it up. Here is a story with some quotes though.

Update #2: Here's the video:

Hillary Concedes

Hillary is giving her concession speech, finally, after Obama has been the nominee for five days. Her speech started out by going on and on about the sacrifice of her supporters to her campaign, which I don't believe is necessary. Yes, people on all sides had a lot invested in ALL of the campaigns, your supporters haven't struggled any more than Obama's. It seems like she was trying to strengthen the "us" part of the "us vs them" dynamic, but call me cynical.

It took her almost six and a half minutes to mention Obama, and announce that she was endorsing him and that she wanted her supporters to work to make Obama president. She also said that we can't afford having another Republican president, which was correct. She said the words, but her energy wasn't there, her body language wasn't in it, it just wasn't all that convincing. But it sounded like the majority of her supporters in attendance were adults, and real Democrats, who are committed to supporting Obama and defeating McCain in the general election. There were of course some bitter, vindictive supporters there, but they are definitely the minority, even if they are vocal.

She didn't talk about Obama long, and then she talked about herself a lot more, talking about her place in history, talking about women and sexism and glass ceilings, reinforcing the idea that Hillary and women and women's rights are all the same thing. And that's basically how she finished it.

She didn't really take on McCain, she barely praised Obama, it seemed lacking. The pundits seem to like it, but I think many on the blogosphere share my feeling that she wasn't going out of her way to help him, and it was more about her than anything else.

Anyway, it (the primary) is over. Finally.

Update: Here's the video:

Obama Endorsement Watch

Today should be a big day for superdelegates. The goal is for Obama to get enough superdelegates today, that when the results from South Dakota and Montana come in, those pledged delegates, the voice of the people, will push him past the finish line. He'll be officially starting the general election campaign where the Republicans will be holding their Convention, which is quite symbolic. I think we'd all like him to be able to declare "game on" there, instead of tomorrow after enough superdelegates have gotten off their asses to make it "official". Anyway, it is still quite early, yet we already have a superdelegate for Obama, Missouri State Rep. and superdelegate Maria Chappelle-Nadal who remarked:

This is a year that the mere existence of a single candidate, Barack Obama, has inspired people in my district to believe in the greater good.

Also House Majority Whip James Clyburn, who has remained steadfastly neutral throughout the entire campaign, officially endorsed Obama today.

Update: Another one for Obama, political activist and Michigan superdelegate Joyce Lalonde has endorsed. Since she is from Michigan she only has half a vote. Keep 'em rolling.

Update #2: Massachusetts Rep. John Olver has endorsed Obama.

Update #3: Michigan superdelegate Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick has endorsed Obama, giving him another 0.5. That's 4 so far today.

Update #4: Obama gets two more Michigan superdelegates: Debbie Dingell and Rick Wiener, for a total of 5 so far today.

Update #5: Rep. Clyburn also announced that he knows of three more superdelegates who will endorse Obama today: Rep. John Spratt of South Carolina, New York superdelegate Ralph Dawson, and Tim Moore, a South Carolina Edwards delegate. If those pan out, that would bring us up to 8 for the day.

Update #6: I should also point out that five superdelegates from Montana, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Sen. Max Baucus, Sen. Jon Tester, state party chairman Dennis McDonald and vice chairman Margaret Campbell have committed to endorsing whoever wins Montana as soon as the winner is decided tonight, and all expectations are that this will be Obama, so that gives a total of 13 for the day so far that are pretty much secured for Obama.

Update #7: Fred K. McDowell, a Florida Edwards pledged delegate has committed to supporting Obama, giving him another 0.5. More on Edwards' pledged delegates here.

Update #8: Maine DNC Committeewoman and superdelegate Jennifer DeChant has endorsed Obama, raising his total to 14.5? ish? I guess it gets hard when you are counting people who you know will endorse but haven't yet and new endorsements just keep coming. Some are calling it an endorsement tsunami.

Update #9: Obama has received 2 more endorsements: DNC member Joyce Beatty of Ohio and Kwame Kilpatrick of Michigan, giving him 1.5 more delegates. Sooo...let's call that 16 for today so far!

Update #10: California superdelegate John Perez endorsed Obama this morning. 17?

Update #11: Rep. Jerry McNerney of California is set to endorse Obama today. That makes at least 18 today.

Update #12: Massachusetts state party vice chairwoman Debra Kozikowski has endorsed Obama. That makes at least 19 today. Pretty soon we'll be hitting the point where Obama will have enough superdelegates to have MT push him over!

Update #13: Former president (and superdelegate) Jimmy Carter has announced he will endorse Obama tonight after the polls close. Woo hoo for having the best living former Democratic president on Obama's side! That gives us at least 20 for today. Keep 'em coming!

Update #14: Mississippi party vice chairwoman Carnelia Fondren. At least 21 today, definitely a one day record for this one and a half year (seriously) primary season.

Update #15: State Rep. Sharon Nordgren of New Hampshire and Michigan DNC Member Tina Abbott have endorsed Obama, giving him another one and a halfie. It makes you wonder who was really hurt more by the decision to half the delegations from Florida and Michigan. Even if it hurt Obama more, I still support it, the rules must have enforcement if there is to be any order, and nothing less would have been fair to the 48 states that actually obeyed the rules.

Update #16: Halfies DNC Member Mike Tardiff of Michigan, and DNC Member Diane Glasser of Florida have endorsed Obama, adding up to a fullie.

Update #17: FOUR Hillary superdelegates have switched to Obama, a huge blow to Hillary, giving Obama a net of 8 and showing that she can't hold the line. These superdelegates are DNC member Ben Johnson of DC, DNC member DNC Kamil Hasan of California, California Rep. Maxine Waters (major female African American supporter), and DNC Member Rhett Ruggerio of Delaware. That pretty much seals it, he will be the nominee tonight.

Update #18: More endorsements for Obama, coming in like a tidal wave now: DNC Members John Daniello and Harriet Smith-Windsor of Delaware, Kansas Rep. Dennis Moore, and Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson.

Update #19: The Obama campaign has announced that 8 more Edwards pledged delegates from Florida have moved over to Obama:

With today’s announcement, every delegate pledged to Senator Edwards in Iowa (four delegates), New Hampshire (four delegates) and South Carolina (eight delegates) will be voting for Senator Obama at the National Convention. In addition, 10 of the 13 Edwards delegates from Florida will be voting for Senator Obama at the National Convention.

Update #20: DNC Member Bel Leong-Hong of Maryland has endorsed Obama.

Update #21: California Rep. Sam Farr endorsed Obama. This puts him 10 or 11 delegates away from securing the nomination.

Update #22: DNC member Ivan Holmes of Oklahoma endorses Obama. 9 away I think.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Three superdelegates have endorsed Obama so far today:

Colorado superdelegate Pat Waak:

I believe that Sen. Obama and his message of change is what Colorado wants and that he will defeat John McCain in November. In fact, the most recent Rasmussen poll on May 19, 2008 shows a Sen. Obama with a 6-point lead in a head-to-head race and I think that margin will only increase as voters see the clear difference.

Finally, I believe that our country needs the type of visionary, uplifting leadership that Senator Obama has shown during this long campaign. In the state of Colorado his message of hope has attracted young people, new Democrats and Independent voters who will make up a winning coalition this fall.

Oregon superdelegate Meredith Wood Smith:

Why Obama? Because he received the majority of the votes in the Oregon primary, and he demonstrates the leadership needed to get us out of Iraq, restore our economy, begin the tough job of providing health care for all Americans and, most of all, heal the divisions in our nation. His commitment to grass-roots organizing, similar to Howard Dean's "Fifty State Strategy," will help Democrats win our down-ticket races. His deep understanding of our Constitution ensures that he will appoint judges, to both the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, who will truly defend our constitutional rights and freedoms.

and Guam superdelegate Ben Pangelinan:

Senator Obama is my choice. I believe he is the best candidate to deliver on the promise that is America, for all of America.

In speaking to members of both teams, I have come to trust in Senator Obama's commitment to turning the promises on the issues that are important to the people of Guam, into progress for the people of Guam.

If I'm not mistaken, this puts Obama a full 200 delegates ahead of Hillary, or essentially 10% of the racetrack ahead going into the final few feet. It may not sound like a lot, but picture a sprinter 30 feet behind on the 100 meter dash, is that a close second? Definitely not. Is there any chance of closing that 30 feet? No way in hell. And Obama is only picking up speed.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Obama picked up a couple superdelegates over the weekend. Today he added three superdelegates from Hawaii: Party Chairman Brian Schatz, vice chairwoman Kari Luna and retired Judge James Burns.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Obama received two endorsements this morning, one from Rep. Jim Costa of California, and another from Rep. Cardoza of California, who switched from Hillary to Obama, saying that Obama will be the nominee and that Obama will take us in the right direction. He also specifically disagreed with Hillary on her attempts to divide the Party by trying to change the rules at the end of the game:

This is the most important election of my lifetime. While I continue to greatly respect and admire Senator Clinton and feel she has made history with her campaign, I believe that Senator Obama will inevitably be our party’s nominee for President. He has proven himself to be a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and inspirational leader and will take America in a new direction, which we desperately need.

The Bush Administration has been a huge disappointment. Mr. McCain, while certainly an American hero, represents more of the same failed Bush policies.

I am deeply concerned about the contentious primary campaign and controversy surrounding the seating of delegates from Florida and Michigan – two states Democrats need to win in November. I will not support changing the rules in the fourth quarter of this contest through some convoluted DNC rules committee process. Yet, we must find a resolution to seat the Michigan and Florida delegates so these states’ voters are represented at the Convention. I believe we need to avoid this potentially divisive situation by uniting behind one nominee and bringing the party together immediately. Therefore, I have made the decision to support Senator Obama at the Democratic Convention in my role as a super delegate.

Update: State Sen. Peter Burling and Deborah Nelson, two Edwards pledged delegates from New Hampshire are officially switching over to Obama. Burling said of Obama:

We chose Obama because he so clearly understands the American yearning for change. He understands it, he embraces it, and I think he has the leadership to deliver it.

Update #2: Oregon DNC member Jenny Greenleaf endorsed Obama saying:

The voters of Oregon have spoken, and I have listened.

I will be supporting Senator Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August. Senator Obama has the vision and leadership ability to move this country forward and to undo the damage done by the Bush administration. I am proud to support him in this endeavor and will do whatever I can to make sure Oregon's electoral votes are Democratic this fall.

This gives us a net of 6 for Obama so far today.

Update #3: Here is some potentially huge news, and if it were true it would mean a net boost of 80 superdelegates for Obama, essentially ending the primary (wait, nevermind, math doesn't actually matter, she'll keep going until she is satisfied she has successfully sabotaged Obama in November):

The Field has learned that Cardoza is the first of a group of at least 40 Clinton delegates, many of them from California, that through talking among themselves came to a joint decision that all of them would vote for Obama at the convention. They have informed Senator Clinton that it’s time to unite around Obama, and that they will be coming out, one or two at a time, and announcing their switch between now and the convention if Senator Clinton doesn’t do the same.

Update #4: Ouch, it turns out Rep. Cardoza was also co-chair of Hillary's National Hispanic Leadership Council, ouch, that hurts.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Expect more endorsements coming to Obama now that he has a majority of the pledged delegates, especially from the so-called Pelosi Club (if they have the guts to stand up to angry Hillary and her neo-McCarthyite sexism squad, that is). The first post-pledged delegate majority superdelegate is Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut.

Today the United Mine Workers union, who are very strong in Appalachian coal-country, endorsed Obama after a unanimous vote, saying:

Senator Obama shares the values of UMWA members and our families. He understands and will fight for the needs our members have today and the hopes our members have for a secure future for themselves and their families.

You don't get more white and working clas than that. It is too bad they didn't endorse until after the last Appalachian state went to Hillary. Oh well. The United Mine Workers were the second to last previously pro-Edwards union to go to Obama, now only one remains: the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.

Look at those latte-sippers.

Update: Mississippi Democratic Party chairman Wayne Dowdy has endorsed Obama.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Two so far this morning: Michigan superdelegate Eric Coleman and Iowa DNC chair Scott Brennan.

Update: Obama also received the endorsement of Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo.

Update #2: Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu hints that she will probably support Obama, because that is who the voters of her state chose overwhelmingly.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Add-on delegates aren't really superdelegates or endorsements generally speaking, but they do affect the math, so I'll jump back to yesterday really fast and acknowledge that Obama picked up a handful of add-on delegates from various states. He picked up add-on delegate and former Denver Mayor Federico Pena and Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson. He also picked up 2 add-on delegates from California that were awarded according to the popular vote (so Hillary received 3).

Obama also received the endorsement of superdelegate and Maryland DNC member Greg Pecoraro.

Today, Obama got the endorsement of Washington State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz, who urged unity and told his supporters that, "Sen. Obama will be our nominee, and that it is time for us as Democrats to begin the final stretch of this historic 2008 campaign to take back America. It is time to unify our party around one candidate."

Update: A big get for Obama today, West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd endorsed Obama today stating that Obama is "a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support." This should definitely give Obama some help in fighting Hillary's lies that he has some sort of "white problem". A little background on Byrd: Byrd is the longest serving senator in Senate history, and the oldest member of the current Senate (91). In his youth he was a member of the KKK, and openly pro-segregation. In 1964 he stood with Republicans and aided them in their 83 day filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He was essentially a Republican, but never switched over in name when the South became Republican territory and the North became Democratic during the Civil Rights Movement. He has since rejected his segregationist views, called joining the KKK "the greatest mistake I ever made", supported the 1968 Civil Rights Act, and has recently received a 100% rating from the NAACP. Obama wrote this of his first meeting with Byrd in The Audacity of Hope:

Listening to Senator Byrd I felt with full force all the essential contradictions of me in this new place, with its marble busts, its arcane traditions, its memories and its ghosts. I pondered the fact that, according to his own autobiography, Senator Byrd had received his first taste of leadership in his early twenties, as a member of the Raleigh County Ku Klux Klan, an association that he had long disavowed, an error he attributed—no doubt correctly—to the time and place in which he'd been raised, but which continued to surface as an issue throughout his career. I thought about how he had joined other giants of the Senate, like J. William Fulbright of Arkansas and Richard Russell of Georgia, in Southern resistance to civil rights legislation. I wondered if this would matter to the liberals who now lionized Senator Byrd for his principled opposition to the Iraq War resolution—the MoveOn.org crowd, the heirs of the political counterculture the senator had spent much of his career disdaining.

I wondered if it should matter. Senator Byrd's life—like most of ours—has been the struggle of warring impulses, a twining of darkness and light. And in that sense I realized that he really was a proper emblem for the Senate, whose rules and design reflect the grand compromise of America's founding: the bargain between Northern states and Southern states, the Senate's role as a guardian against the passions of the moment, a defender of minority rights and state sovereignty, but also a tool to protect the wealthy from the rabble, and assure slaveholders of noninterference with their peculiar institution. Stamped into the very fiber of the Senate, within its genetic code, was the same contest between power and principle that characterized America as a whole, a lasting expression of that great debate among a few brilliant, flawed men that had concluded with the creation of a form of government unique in its genius—yet blind to the whip and the chain.

Update #2: Kansas Democratic Party Chair Larry Gates has endorsed Obama, saying the following:

Kansans can unite behind Sen. Obama and his positive campaign, and that is why I have chosen to endorse him. He has proven his ability to bring Democrats, Republicans and Independents together, and holds the same commitment to working across party lines as Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (TPIP: Who has been floated as one of the top choices for Obama's VP spot).

Senator Obama inspired record numbers of voters to turn out to the Kansas caucuses, which not only strengthens our Party but also the whole political process. He is the best candidate for Democrats to stand behind as we work to take on John McCain – who supports the war in Iraq and Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans – in November.

Update #3: Obama received the endorsement of Alaska superdelegates Cindy Spanyers and Blake Johnson, bringing Obama's total to 5 for the day, to Hillary's 0.

Obama Endorsement Watch

Yes, it's the weekend, but that doesn't mean Obama can't get superdelegates!

This morning Obama got the endorsement of Maryland superdelegate Greg Pecoraro who said in a statement:

Today, I am very excited to join the large majority of Maryland Democrats who expressed their enthusiasm for Senator Obama’s candidacy in our state's presidential primary. Like them, I believe Barack Obama is the right leader for our time. With Barack Obama as our nominee and as our President, we have real hope that a new way of governing the nation is at hand. I strongly believe that Senator Obama offers us the best opportunity we have had for many years to turn away from the politics of division and despair, and look towards an America of opportunity and progress.

Obama is also likely to get an add-on delegate from Colorado as soon as former Denver Mayor Federico Pena, an Obama supporter, is officially becomes the add-on delegate.

Update: Hillary loses a pledged delegate from Nevada, and it goes to Obama:

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama succeeded in driving more supporters to the Nevada state convention than his opponent U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, who had won the state in the Jan. 19 caucuses. Obama essentially reversed Clinton's lead from the caucuses, capturing 55 percent of the state delegates to Clinton's 45 percent.

The heavy turnout earned Obama one more delegate to the national convention, than previously expected based on the caucus results.

The final tally: Obama won 14 national delegates and Clinton won 11 national delegates. Under the caucus results, Obama was expected to win 13 national delegates to Clinton's 12. Although Clinton won the caucuses, Obama out-performed her in rural Nevada and Washoe County.

The convention has one more delegate to name, although that person goes to the national convention unpledged.

Obama Endorsement Watch

It's Friday, the last (week)day of a long week of endorsements, and Obama just added another, Rep. Pete Stark, chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. Obama seems to be racking up the powerful committee chairs left and right nowadays.

I'll keep you posted as more endorsements arrive.

Update: Arlene Prather-O’Kane of Iowa, an Edwards pledged delegate is the latest to switch to Obama. This puts Obama only 16 pledged delegates away from winning the primary (the majority of elected delegates).

Update #2: Politico says that at least 8 of Florida's 13 Edwards delegates are switching to Obama, and none to Hillary. Obviously this doesn't give Obama any delegates at the moment, but this assures that even if Hillary manages to get Florida seated as-is, it won't make a damn bit of difference. Excellent news!

Obama Endorsement Watch

So yesterday Edwards finally got off his ass and endorsed Obama, so now the question is what will his pledged delegates, superdelegates and union endorsements do? Even before he endorsed Obama the vast majority Edwards supporters went straight to Obama, so now that Edwards has officially made his choice and the primary is all but settled it would be hard to imagine them not flowing straight to Obama. Well today (actually late last nighht) we have our first, New Hampshire Democratic Party delegate Joshua Denton:

Joshua Denton of Portsmouth, 26, an Iraq war veteran, says he thinks that both Obama and Hillary Clinton would be a better president than Republican nominee John McCain. He thinks that Obama is the change the country needs, along with having the best chance of beating McCain in the general election.

"My fear with Hillary was just because she is who she is -- for better or worse -- she would sink, not just lose the presidency," but Democrats in Congress, Denton said Wednesday.

I'm sure there will be more where that came from.

Update: Today the United Steelworkers Union became the first pro-Edwards union to endorse Obama since Edwards' endorsement yesterday (other unions switched to Obama before Edwards' endorsement). They released this statement:

We find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama. And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States.

All of us, including we hope Senator Clinton for whom we have the utmost respect, must now do everything we can to ensure that Barack Obama is the next president of the United States. Now is the time for contention and division to cease, and for us to unite behind the changes for which Senator Obama and our members are calling.

Update #2: Washington Rep. Jim McDermott endorsed Obama.

Update #3: Obama was also endorsed by Communication Workers of America president Larry Cohen, who is also a superdelegate.

Update #4: It has been announced that Reps. Henry Waxman and Howard Berman of California, and both powerful committee chairs, have endoresd Obama as well. Here's Waxman:

Senator Obama’s vision for change has inspired tens of millions of Americans. And he’s also proved that he has the experience, judgment, integrity, and toughness to bring real reform to Washington. Our nation faces big challenges. We need to bring our troops safely home from Iraq. We need to solve global warming and finally enact universal health care legislation. And we need to create new jobs and strengthen our middle class. Senator Obama is the leader we need both here and around the world. He will be an extraordinary President, and I look forward to working with him to make his vision for change the new reality in Washington.

And Berman:

Barack Obama has laid out a foreign policy vision driven by principle and conviction, and he understands that our moral authority and our safety as a nation go hand in hand. I spoke with him about a number of foreign policy issues that most concern me. He assured me that he shares my views. The moment President Obama takes office, we’ll send a powerful message to the world that America is back and ready to lead again—that we haven’t abandoned the values that made us the light of the world, and neither should anyone else.

Quite a busy day.

Update #5: At least Six (possibly all 8) Edwards pledged delegates from South Carolina have switched to Obama. They are Daniel Boan, Christine Brennan-Bond, Robert Groce, Susan Smith, Mike Evatt and Lauren Bilton. You can definitely say goodbye to Hillary's WV advantage from WV.

Update #6: Obama just gained an extra pledged delegate from North Carolina, and Hillary lost one, after they actually finished calculating the vote. It seems weird that they are constantly giving Obama more delegates after the fact in all these elections, but they never underestimate Hillary's delegate numbers on election night. Not saying there is some conspiracy there or anything, it just seems odd that they always overestimate the number of delegates for Hillary. It seems to happen quite often.

John Edwards Endorsing Obama

After months of waiting, it is finally time. John Edwards is set to endorse Obama at 6:30 EDT tonight. This is the biggest endorsement in quite a while, but at this point it won't have much impact, aside from perhaps encourage the party to coalesce around Obama, which is always good. Unfortunately his endorsement comes too late in my mind, as the time for Edwards to prove his commitment to fighting for change passed long ago. If he was indeed serious about fighting the status quo he would have endorsed Obama soon after pulling out of the race, back when Obama's chances of winning were anything but certain. But he apparently didn't have the courage to stand up for his professed values, or stand up to the Clintons. Even Bill Richardson, Clinton friend and former appointee, endorsed Obama long before Edwards did, and he took a lot of heat for it too. But Edwards waited until Obama had all but secured the nomination before finally stepping up to the plate and standing up for what he spent his entire campaign saying he believed in. The New York Times seems to suggest that Edwards really did hold off an endorsement as part of a political calculation:

And he had another consideration: how to position himself for a job in the next president's administration. As Mr. Edwards saw it, aides said, Mrs. Clinton seemed to be more likely than Mr. Obama to win the nomination.

If that is true, that is pretty pathetic, and proves everything cynical I had ever thought of Edwards.

So, I'm disappointed that Edwards waited so long, but better late than never right? He proved he wasn't the principled "fighter" he pretended to be during his campaign, but he did eventually take the right side, which means maybe he did really mean everything he said about change, or maybe he is just a giant political opportunist...it is hard to say. I really want him to be genuine, but I just can't see how he could really be the person he made himself out to be when he failed to stand next to Obama while he got attacked by two sides in a divisive war of attrition.

Anyway, we'll see what Edwards says, maybe he can redeem himself a bit more.

We'll see if Edwards is going to actively campaign for Obama, it might take the edge off Kentucky. We'll also have to see if this means Obama gets Edwards' popular vote (about 400,000) and delegates (19--although I'm not sure if that is a current estimate, since Obama has already picked up some Edwards pledged delegates in Iowa [MSNBC is saying he has 18]). That would help to ensure the math is impossible for Hillary, not that he needed any more help.

Update: Edwards is speaking, he made a funny joke, he said that when the odds turned against Hillary she showed character, haha, well, I don't think he said "good" character, but she certainly did reveal something about her character.

Update #2: Edwards gave his usual "two Americas" speech, but didn't really focus on heaping praise on Obama, as he did with Hillary, but he did say that the people have decided and that it is essentially over.

Update #3: Pat Buchanan and the rest of the punditry are tripping over themselves to paint this in a negative light, by repeatedly emphasizing his nonexistent "white problem", by repeatedly suggesting that Obama was trying to make up for his "huge loss" in WV (as if that was unexpected or unexplained), and by trying to set up Kentucky as a must-win for Obama, even though everyone knows Kentucky is just like WV, and is an exception, not the rule. But yeah, they are just going crazy trying to paint Obama as having some electoral problem, despite no evidence of that. I don't know how people watch that stuff every day, I can feel my IQ dropping by the minute while those idiots are spewing their nonsense.

NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Obama

It has been a while since a big organization has endorsed a candidate, but today I'm happy to report that reproductive rights leader NARAL endorsed Obama for president. This endorsement recognizes Obama's superior commitment to reproductive rights and women's rights. However, this isn't to say that Hillary is not committed as well, but as the endorsement makes clear, only one Democrat is moving on to the general election, and that is Barack Obama. So this one is a blow for Hillary for two reasons. First, she likes to pretend she has a monopoly on women, which she most definitely does not. This is a blow to her attempts to paint Obama as less committed to reproductive rights, as she often did in earlier primaries (probably until she could no longer afford to distribute the false mailers), despite the record showing that Obama has been just as strong (stronger, actually, see update below) as her on these issues. Secondly, it signals that no one is taking her claims of a road to victory seriously anymore. The writing is on the wall, and the writing says that it is time to come together around our nominee. The press release can be accessed here, and what follows is a message from NARAL president Nancy Keenan:]

Why NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorsed Barack Obama
by Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

I am pleased to announce that today, NARAL Pro-Choice America's political action committee endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president.

I know that most of you are probably thinking, "Why did you decide to endorse Obama, and why are you doing it now?"

Sen. Obama has been a strong advocate for a woman's right to choose throughout his career in public service. Since joining the Senate in 2005, he has worked to unite Americans on both sides of this debate behind commonsense, common-ground ways to prevent unintended pregnancy. He supports legislation to provide our teens with comprehensive sex education, prevent pharmacies from denying women access to their legal birth-control prescriptions, and increase access for family-planning services.

Sen. Obama has said, "A woman's ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women."

Further, I believe Sen. Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee. He leads in pledged delegates, superdelegates, the popular vote, and cash-on-hand. As a former elected official, I know that having the three "m's" of a campaign - money, message and manpower (or womanpower!) - are how we win elections. Sen. Obama will be our next president.

Now, let's take a look at the opposition. Sen. McCain has been getting a free ride for far too long. As even Dan Balz says, until there is a head-to-head, McCain will continue on as the media-maverick darling. We must show voters how extreme McCain really is and contrast his record with that of Sen. Obama, the candidate for the pro-choice majority. NARAL Pro-Choice America is unique in our ability to reach the crucial voting bloc of Republican and independent pro-choice women. These voters are essential to win the White House and we've seen that Obama can inspire them to vote for him in November.

Finally, NARAL Pro-Choice America, as the political leader of the pro-choice movement, felt it was time to take a leadership role. We have been so fortunate to have two fully pro-choice candidates running for the Democratic nomination and to that end, we've consistently praised both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama for their leadership in standing up for women's reproductive rights. We continue to look forward to working with them in the future. But, for the sake of the reproductive-rights movement, we need to put any perceived differences behind us, and get to work putting Sen. Obama in the White House. We want to let women know that, no doubt about it, we have trust and confidence in Obama's ability and willingness to fight for a woman's right to choose. He's already proven himself in that regard.

We all know that America is a pro-choice nation, and whether you live in a red state or a blue state, whether you're young or you're old, whether you're black, latino, asian, or white, whether you are a man or a woman, we know that Sen. Obama will represent our interests well in the White House and make sure that reproductive choice is protected.

Sen. Obama is the leader who can unify Americans on both sides of our issue. He has reached new generations and energized young voters, independent voters, and Republican voters. He's the candidate of the future, and today we are proud to put the power of NARAL Pro-Choice America's one million strong members, activists and supporters behind Sen. Barack Obama.

Nancy Keenan is president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

[Update: When Hillary spokesman Howard Wolfson was asked for Hillary's response he answered "surprised", adding that he thought "Senator Clinton's leadership on advocacy and choice issues is second to none." Well I'm sorry Howard, but she is second to one person, Barack Obama. There records are the same, except one thing. Back in 2006 conservatives in South Dakota were trying to pass an abortion ban, and pro-choice groups asked pro-choice senators to help defend reproductive rights, and only one senator stepped forward, and that was Barack Obama, NOT Hillary Clinton. So sorry Hillary, I'd say you are a close second, but second nonetheless. You won't take risks, you do what is politically easy, you pander. Obama didn't, he stepped up to the plate and did what was right, and so he deserves the endorsement more than you, even when you disregard his electoral success and only compare commitment to reproductive rights. He wins.]

Update #2: NARAL is under attack by angry Hillary supporters going all "Judas" on them simply for endorsing a committed pro-choice Democrat! Please go to their website and show your support of Obama and NARAL by fighting back against the hateful and misinformed comments of Hillary's supporters!

Update #3: Phew! NARAL is lucky Edwards just endorsed Obama, now Hillary's rabid supporters will have to split their energy between calling him Judas and calling NARAL Judas. What luck!

Obama Endorsement Watch

Before I even finished breakfast Obama picked up two more superdelegates this morning. First was Indiana Rep. Pete Visclosky, the second was Democrats Abroad Chair Christine Schon Marques, who only has half a vote. This makes 9.5 delegates Obama has gained over Hillary between yesterday and thus far today, which pretty much ensures that whatever Hillary gained from her win last night in WV is already gone.

Update: Young Democrat Chairs Awais Khaleel (WI) and Lauren Wolfe (MI) endorsed Obama, but only the Wisconsin superdelegate counts toward Obama vote total at this time. Any Michigan and Florida superdelegates Obama receives will count if/when a deal is reached with the DNC for those states.

Update #2: Obama has also received the endorsement of three more former SEC chairmen. No superdelegates there, just econ street cred.

Update #3: DNC members Lena Taylor of Wisconsin and Mike Morgan of Oklahoma also endorsed Obama.

Update #4: And of course the big surprise of the day was that John Edwards endorsed Obama, and although he isn't a superdelegate, he controls his share of pledged delegates, superdelegates and endorsements, so that will probably loosen a bit of a floodgate.

Tuesday Endorsements For Obama

In addition to the pledged delegate who switched to Obama this morning, Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly endorsed Obama, issuing the following statement:

Today, I am pleased to announce my support for Barack Obama. At a time when too many Americans have lost faith in their government, Senator Obama can move us beyond the politics of stalemate and gridlock that has kept us from meeting the monumental challenges of our time: our dependence on foreign oil, a health care gap that leaves tens of millions uninsured, the steady deterioration of our manufacturing base, and an economy that is not working for working people.

The Democratic Party's strength comes from its core commitment to the American Dream and from a coalition that is ideologically, economically, geographically and ethnically diverse. Barack Obama will stand with working families while building that coalition so that we can change this country, and that's why he's the best choice for America.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin also endorsed Obama this morning, bringing Obama's net gain for the day up to 4, and it is still early in the morning.

Update: Make that 5, former Colorado governor and DNC chair Roy Romer is also endorsing Obama this morning.

Update #2: Make that 6 (and it is still morning), Anita Bonds, chair of the DC Democratic Party endorsed Obama.

Update #3: Remember when they finished counting the ballots in Ohio and Hillary lost her double-digit lead there? Well that also gained Obama two pledged delegates today. Wee! 8 delegates for Obama today, 0 for Hillary, at least until WV votes.

Pledged Delegate Switches To Obama

This is pretty huge, today Jack B. Johnson, the executive of Prince George's County, Maryland and elected pledged delegate for Hillary has decided to switch his vote over to Obama saying "I cannot in good conscience go to the convention and not support Barack". He believes that Obama has won the nomination and it is time to come together around our nominee. It has also been supported that he is going to be urging other Maryland Hillary supporters like Sen. Barbara Mikulski to switch over to Obama to bring the Party together.

Now I don't support pledged delegates switching, because they are the entrusted caretakers of the people's votes, and those should be respected. I firmly believed this when Hillary was trying to corrupt the process by trying to steal Obama's pledged delegates, and I believe it now. Having said that, I think this is very important because it shows the extent to which the Party is ready to rally behind Obama and move on, whether Hillary is willing or not.

More Endorsements For Obama

A new week, new endorsements for Obama. First, yesterday Obama was endorsed by California superdelegate Crystal Strait.

And today Rep. Tom Allen of Maine endorsed Obama. In a released statement he urged an end to the primary:

Most of the primary voters across the nation have now spoken. It is time to bring a graceful end to the primary campaign. We now need to unify the Democratic Party and focus on electing Senator Obama and a working majority in the United States Senate. That is how we can change the direction of the country.

Update:Hawaii superdelegate Dolly Strazar just endorsed Obama, echoing Rep. Allen's call for unity:

I am now convinced that it is time to pull together behind a single candidate who has the backing of a growing number of Americans. I therefore announce my wholehearted endorsement of Senator Barack Obama. ... The will of Democrats in Hawaii was expressed loudly and clearly in February and I am proud to see that that same vision has been reflected throughout the country in Democratic support for Senator Obama.

Update #2: Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii just announced his endorsement of Obama a few minutes ago saying:

Rather than echo his supporters or review his platform on health care, the environment, or the war in Iraq, I want to add a different voice to those who believe Senator Obama would make a fine President. He is the antidote we need to cure Washington of the uninspired, partisan politics that has plagued our country far too long.

Update #3: Idaho Democratic Party Chair Keith Roark has announced his endorsement of Obama saying:

The unprecedented enthusiasm Senator Obama has generated here in Idaho is unlike anything I have seen in my 31 years of active political participation in this State. He has captured the imagination and mint fresh optimism of young voters from Coeur d’Alene to Caldwell, from Murphy to Montpelier, from Twin Falls to Idaho Falls. I firmly believe that the critical process of rebuilding the Idaho Democratic Party will receive a once in a lifetime boost from Senator Obama’s candidacy.

This makes today 4 for Obama, 0 for Hillary. Also, this makes Idaho a clean superdelegate sweep from Obama, they now all officially support him, which is no surprise given his huge victory there (oh, and I might add that people in Idaho are really really white).

More Endorsements For Obama

Obama picked up five more superdelegates today, including two who switched from Hillary, giving him a net of seven for the day. The two supers who switched were Kevin Rodriquez and Carol Burke from the Virgin Islands, and they were joined by Dave Regan of Ohio, Kristi Cumming of Utah, and Rep. Henry Mitchell of Arizona. As of today, officially by all measures, Obama has overtaken Hillary in superdelegates, which has been the ONLY metric she has ever had a lead in from the very beginning until now. Now she is behind in EVERY SINGLE METRIC, whether it be states won, pledged delegates, popular vote, land area won, or superdelegates.

VO Day +3 Endorsements For Obama

It is only the morning still, but Obama has already picked up three superdelegates, one of which used to support Hillary, and a union endorsement.

First, New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne who had previously supported Hillary switched his support to Obama today.

Next, Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, previously unpledged, has endorsed Obama, releasing this statement:

Senator Obama has proven he is able to energize young Americans, independents, and even moderate Republicans to support his candidacy. I believe he represents our best hope of winning in November, and puts the needs and priorities of hard working Americans ahead of the powerful special interests that have been extraordinarily favored by the Bush-Cheney administration.

Third, we have union leader and superdelegate John Gage, whose union, the American Federation of Government Employees, also endorsed Obama today.

At this point ABC notes that Obama has overtaken Hillary in superdelegates, but their numbers are quite a bit different than all other news outlets, and I hold them in pretty low regard, so I'm going to say they are full of crap. However there are only a handful standing between Obama and Hillary, and the tipping point will likely come within the next week.

And did John Edwards vote for Obama and is he going to endorse...? You be the judge. (I'm voting for yes)

A fourth superdelegate for Obama today, this one coming from California DNC member Ed Espinoza, who released this statement:

I am endorsing Barack Obama today because throughout this process I have seen him show a judgment and character that we need in our next president. From day one he opposed the Iraq war and has a plan to end the war in a responsible way and bring our sons and daughters home. He has shown he has the character to lead our great nation, from his choice to spend his career serving people in the poorest communities in Chicago to his commitment to speaking truth to the American people, even when it isn’t politically convenient to do so. To unify the country at this time in our history we need a president who has these qualities, and that is why I am proud to endorse him today. My good friend Bill Richardson, who backed Obama some weeks ago, knows what it takes to lead and I trust his judgment in this decision as well. I look forward to working with this great movement to bring victory in November.

Obama has received the endorsements of four more superdelegates this afternoon bringing his daily total to 8, to Hillary's -1.

His latest four are congresswoman Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, New Mexico add-on Laurie Weahkee, South Carolina party vice chair Wilber Lee Jeffcoat, and California DNC member Vernon Watkins.

Not good news for Hillary.

He received a 9th for the day, DNC member Joe Johnson from Virginia!

According to the AP Obama is only .5 delegates under Hillary now, essentially tied.

And this is fun, Rasmussen is no longer going to do national polls between Obama and Hillary for the Democratic primary because inn their view "it is over". Nice. =)