Rep Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) Endorses Barack Obama

[MadBadger]

Blumenauer endorses Obama
Posted by The Oregonian February 01, 2008 09:00AM
WASHINGTON - Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., on Friday endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

In a conference call with reporters Friday morning, Blumenauer said he made up his mind during this week's annual conference of House Democrats in Virginia. Blumenauer said he heard colleagues from across the nation describe "examples of the same story of unprecedented energy, enthusiasm and optimism."

"This week helped me make up my mind between two great candidates that I was going to be supporting Sen. Obama," Blumenauer said.


Blumenauer's endorsement comes a few days after Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., endorsed Obama and Obama's large win in South Carolina.

Blumenauer was joined by Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Oberstar had supported Edwards, who withdrew from the race earlier this week. On Friday, Oberstar announced his support of Obama.

"He has shown an ability to project a soaring image of a future for America, to lift the spirits of young people," Oberstar said.

In late 2003, Blumenauer endorsed John Kerry, when the Massachusetts senator was lagging in the polls. Throughout 2004, he advocated for Kerry on issues such as the environment.
In an interview last October, Blumenauer said he had no immediate plans to endorse a candidate for the 2008 nomination, but he did not rule out the possibility.

"If it gets to a point where it seems like it will make a difference, I would consider it, but to this point, it doesn't seem like that's the case," Blumenauer said then.

On Friday, Blumenauer said in recent weeks he has witnessed the reaction to Obama.

"Sen. Obama is demonstrating a unique ability not just to unite Democrats, not just to bring in the vast pool of independent voters that are ultimately going to play such a critical role, but I'm convinced based on what I have seen, what I've heard, what I know, that Sen. Obama can unite America," Blumenauer said.

In terms of issues, Blumenauer said, the difference between Obama and Clinton is "not that profound."

"What is different is what people can do with those issues and reach out and touch people," Blumenauer said. "For me in the course of the last week, it has been clear that what I was seeing was replicated across the country in terms of the stories we are hearing from other men and women in Congress who are watching this magic taking place."

Blumenauer has taken on a more national profile recently, with a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax, trade and entitlement program issues.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/02/blumenauer_endorses_obama.html

[Nedsdag]

1. WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

More superdelegates!

:bounce: :woohoo:

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Blumenauer's a good guy

with good taste in presidential candidates. ;)