WSB-TV EXCLUSIVE: John Lewis Switches Support To Obama

[maddezmom]

Source: WSB-TV

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Georgia Congressman John Lewis has exclusively told Channel 2's Monica Pearson that he is switching his support from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama.

Monica Pearson is in Washington, DC meeting with Congressman John Lewis Wednesday afternoon.

Talk had been swirling that Lewis might switch his endorsement from Clinton to Obama. Lewis is a super delegate who will cast his ballot at the Democratic National Convention.

Lewis told Pearson he was switching his support because his district voted for Obama and he believes Americans are looking for a great change. He also said he had not spoken to Clinton or Obama about his decision.

Read more: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15426208/detail.html?rss=atl&psp=news

---

Lewis says he's endorsing Obama

By BOB KEMPER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/27/08

Washington — Hoping to put an end to a month of confusion and dismay, Rep. John Lewis on Wednesday said he's switching his support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Lewis cited the overwhelming preference for Obama in his district as a reason for his change of heart, but he also talked about Obama's campaign as transformational for the nation.

"Something's happening in America, something some of us did not see coming," Lewis said. "Barack Obama has tapped into something that is extraordinary.

Lewis, an Atlanta Democrat and an elder of the civil rights movement, at first sparked outrage from Georgia's African American community by backing Clinton, a friend, over Obama, the nation's first viable African American candidate.

Then confusion struck about a week ago when Lewis told the New York Times that, as a super delegate to the Democratic National Convention, he would feel compelled to vote for Obama as the nominee because his district – and the state's African American population overall – so overwhelmingly for Obama in the state primary.

Lewis's office later charged that the story was inaccurate but did not clarify who Lewis was actually backing.

more:http://www.ajc.com/services/content/news/stories/2008/02/27/Lewis_0228_web.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=15

[babylonsister]

1. This could turn out to be a really interesting week. Thanks, and rec! nt

[SoFlaJet]

2. this happened yesterday

nm

[maddezmom]

really, it's the first I've seen of it

:shrug:

[SoFlaJet]

5. yea Madd

I can't find it but yea, it's from yesterday

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. They may have staggered the press release dates since Dodd endorsed yesterday

I've seen similar things happen before in the past.

[xultar]

3. Dirty politics is best when you can't don't see it played. That's where Hillary failed.

[hendo]

23. How is it dirt politics?

A super delegate is allowed to change who they support at any point prior to the convention. You may not like that he did it, but it is not dirty.

[xultar]

25. We all know based on Jesse Jackson Jr's interview that Black Caucus members are being threatened

with primary challenges if they don't support Obama.

This isn't from the Obama campaign but he should speak out against it.

That was posted here @ DU about a week ago.

Apparently John Lewis got the message.

[LisaM]

4. Well, clearly the pressure to force super delegates to switch support is working

To some degree, I understand looking at the vote in your state or district. But here in Washington, where we had caucuses, there were a lot of people who were independents or even Republicans who switched to vote for Obama. The caucus vote for Obama in our state reflected that. We held primaries about ten days later where you needed to sign a party affiliation oath. There were more than twice as many people who voted, and while the state still went to Obama, it was far, far closer, just a few percentage points different. Are Democratic super delegates supposed to be reflecting their Democratic constituencies, or slews of crossover voters? This IS the party primary, NOT the GE.

[russian33]

6. isn't he the one that said there's no truth to the talks of him swtiching?

not that long ago

[xultar]

7. I'm sure he was threatened with a challenger in his district.

[russian33]

8. ah, yes, here we are "Lewis Denies Switch From Clinton To Obama"

WASHINGTON -- A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) insisted Friday that a story in the New York Times reporting the congressman is switching his support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama for president is inaccurate.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15308971/detail.html?rss=atl&psp=news

my, my...

[goclark]

9. Probably ~ I'm just glad he switched

:bounce:

[xultar]

12. Isn't that dirty politicts which you guys hate?

[goclark]

13. Hi xultar ~ all's fair in love and politics

:bounce:

[xultar]

19. When Obama does it. But when Clinton does it...it's evil, dirty and the only thing

she knows how to do.

I know y'alls game.

[SeaLyons]

10. This endorsement

was coerced based strictly on race. He was pressured by the black community, which is happening all over this country.

[goclark]

15. Not so much pressure but a feeling

that has been building in our community that Obama is the best candidate.

I'm sure those that support HC would not understand it but Bill Clinton did a lot to turn off those that were previously leaning toward Clinton.

So the pressure came from outside the Black Community -- we were so disappointed in the treatment from the Clinton's.

[Barrymores Ghost]

16. First, the sexists were sandbagging Hillary...and now it's the colored folk?

Jeebus, you kids need to get your rationalizations straight, fuh' chrissakes.

[CaseyStorm]

14. This is HUGE.

Being from Atlanta, Georgia, I can tell you that this is HUGE news for Obama. To have an iconic civil rights heavyweight like Lewis endorse Obama is almost like MLK Jr. endorsing him if he were still alive. This will lend further legitimacy to Obama's campaign.

[Catherine Vincent]

17. Pressure from the Blacks in his district must have been overwhelming.

What's more important? Stick with Hillary or lose your job? I know which one I would pick.

[Pappy]

18. Thats because Obama is going to win and he knows a winner when he see one

Obama is about change and change is what we need in Washington right now.

[From The Left]

20. He Must Hate Women

No doubt how the Hillbots will spin it.

[brooklynite]

21. Still up on the Clinton website...

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=3683

10/12/2007
Civil Rights Pioneer Rep. John Lewis Endorses Clinton
The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis.

“I have looked at all the candidates, and I believe that Hillary Clinton is the best prepared to lead this country at a time when we are in desperate need of strong leadership,” Rep. Lewis said. “She will restore a greater sense of community in America, and reclaim our standing in the world.”

[Prophet 451]

22. That's a surprise

Still, I can't fault his reasoning (his constituency supports Obama).

[Pogue.Mahone]

24. Still...

feels like stabbing a friend in the back.

[goforit]

26. Hats off to Lewis!!

[Tarc]

27. Another politicians sticks his finger in the air to see which way the wind blows, eh

I remember a time when these things came when the endorser believed in the message of the endorsee. Now they only seem to be fluid and transient, given to whichever bandwagon they want to jump on at a given moment.

Shameful.